Tag Archives: Winter Classic

Addressing Winter Classic in DC articles

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I appreciate NBC and NBC Sports and Comcast as partners to the NHL. 

Recently one of their columnist’s wrote an article that stated the Winter Classic would be coming to Washington DC in 2014. And that – as an out of the box idea – it could be played on the National Mall. Unnamed sources were used as the quotes in the story. 

This article has activated a series of emails to me about ticket availability; and suggestions about venues; pricing; demands on seating locations and like-minded communications. 

So – to set the record straight – there has NOT been any communication to us on a formal basis as to a Winter Classic coming to DC in a specific year. I have been told that the Winter Classic will NOT be coming to DC next year though. I have also been assured that because of the size of our fan base – and the beauty of our city – that a Winter Classic would come to Washington DC; at some point in the future. And that is good enough for me. 

Also – the idea of a game being played on the Mall has been floated around for many years – it is NOT feasible; there aren’t enough common areas to build out seats – and the expense involved to create locker rooms; icestands and studios are prohibitive. The Mall is managed by the National Park Services; as well. 

I am sure that one day – when a Winter Classic does come to DC; we will be creative and have fun and put on a great show. There are great venues for us to utilize and great theatre that we can create for NHL fans and our large fan base here in the DMV. 

But right now – there is nothing to angst about – to plan – or to circle a date – I hope you enjoyed the game yesterday – and enjoy the games in the future – we promise to let everyone know when we have a formal communique – but that day is not today. Thank you.

 

 

Halfway Home

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41 games played.

51 points.

102 point run rate.

Better defensive play.

A new system being implemented.

A long losing streak overcome. Last 10 games, 5-2-3.

A very tough Southeast division. Competition is a good thing.

Lots of new players being integrated into the team culture. Count ‘em up yourself.

A good record with best players struggling from a stat standpoint in first half.

Penalty killing improved.

Power play units struggling.

Goals for down.

Goals against average improved.

The Winter Classic behind us. The HBO cameras gone.

Every game sold out.

A few days off to count our blessings and heal up and rest. We are tired from the travel and holiday hoopla.

Second half of the season starts on Saturday, January 8th.

We are what our record says we are, 5th in the East. Neck and neck with other great teams.

Thanks for being such great and supportive fans to your Washington Capitals.

It has been a long adversity-filled first half of the season. I believe this journey and process to be healthy for us. Wish us luck and good health in the second half of season. Thank you. Go Caps!

Can Everyone Stop Feeling Sorry For Us Now? :-)

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“Woe is me” isn’t me.

The NHL has 30 teams that are all competitive and stocked with the best players and coaches in the world.

We don’t have a right and we aren’t enabled to be winners. We have to do the work.

We have to make our own breaks. We have to gain perspective. We have played 33 games to date. There are 49 games left to play. 98 points left to “go get.” We have 40 points to date. Six teams have 40 or more points in the NHL to date.

HBO will soon leave us. There will still be a lot of the season left to play. We aren’t playing a video game. We aren’t working within a screenplay. It is a season that is long. It isn’t like an episode of “Law and Order” where the crime is committed and solved and the jury is picked and the trial is completed and the criminal is sentenced all in one tidy little 60 minute show!

This is a simple proposition. It is all about winning games. It is NOT about the Winter Classic; HBO; sell outs; Red outs or whatever. All of our focus needs to be on playing the game; shedding outside pressures; focusing on shifts, periods and games at hand; staying together; qualifying for the playoffs; and then starting the second season with intensity and drive.

Each game matters but every game has 3 possible points at stake. The season is long. Points matter. Let us go get some points. Let us go win some games. Let us get back to winning more than we are losing. Then the snow ball fights and laughter and hugs and kisses will be plentiful. They will be there whether on camera or not.

HBO’s 24/7 is an early season phenomenon built around a game held on January 1st. It isn’t a series about the playoff qualifying run or the playoffs. Exhale. They are doing exactly what they are brilliant at – making for drama and story and arc all to drive interest and ratings! It is working but…it is December people. :-)

Every team that is in the midst of a 7 game losing streak looks bad. Every team that has won a bunch of games in a row looks good. We know. We have been there but it is how you bounce back from adversity that matters to me.

We live in a transparent world.

We won’t be the first or the last group that people get to see struggle. On TV or online.

If we are successful the way we want to be this season, the HBO cameras will be long gone anyway.

It is on us.

Let us focus on the games. Let us focus on signal. The rest is noise. We have a long season left. It isn’t a season that will be summed up in 3 more episodes of reality television that is so well produced. The season won’t end on January 1st at the Winter Classic. We will still have 42 games left to play! More than half of the season is left to play AFTER the Winter Classic. It is ok to exhale now.

Let us go back to having a bit more fun.

Let us not lose perspective.
Go Caps!

Are You Not Entertained?

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HBO’s 24/7. I hear it is compelling television and I plan to watch it somehow this weekend. I am sure it is fantastic, great and well-produced.

Thank you for the notes and emails regarding the show.

I am glad we have participated. It is great theater for the fans and it is a great way to promote our game. We have that as a responsibility to the NHL: Build the game.

I am glad it is a four part series. Hopefully we can win some games and gain some momentum and our team’s joy instead of frustration can be shown across the screens.

I am reminded of the late great Brandon Tartikoff, former President of NBC and a close friend of mine, when he said, “Ted – remember that television drama only focuses on three acts. Act 1 – Young kid comes out of nowhere, shocks the experts and wins. A happy story. Act 2 – Young kid as winner has a very public and humiliating fall. Humility and lessons learned. Act 3 – Redemption and comeback. America loves a comeback.”

He really said that to me. I only hope he was right! One of the many reasons I loved Brandon Tartikoff as a friend. Go Caps!

Weather the Storm

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A new Winter Classic television ad is now available. Click here to see it on NHL.com.

Don’t look now but the Pens, the Flyers and the Caps are all tied after 28 games each with 38 points. The East is bunched up now. I believe that is good for the NHL; for fans; and for us.

We play a tough one at home tonight against Toronto, a team that knows how to earn power plays. They have more than us this season - that is for sure - and more players on the All-Star ballot; and more power play opportunities to date. Go Caps!

Let No Good Deed Go Unpunished

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I am thrilled that we will play in the Winter Classic. In Pittsburgh.

Now that we own Verizon Center outright — many fans have encouraged us to bid on an NHL All star game and another NBA All Star game at the arena. We will also eventually host a Winter Classic here in DC too as you know.

Big events are fun. They create excitement — they stimulate the local economies. They create buzz. Continue reading →

A Perfect Game in Chicago

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I am in Florida where it is 80 degrees and was in my shorts and t-shirt watching the Winter Classic with my family. We were all wishing we were freezing and outside watching the game in person at Wrigley Field.

I thought the event was a huge hit. It was a great game with a great venue and the NBC camera work was spectacular. The announcers were great. The game was fun. It was a perfect event for the NHL. Well done. Bravo. A great day for hockey. We have stolen the spotlight from college football. Our game has a much bigger event look and feel than any bowl game on that day and date now. Imagine that.

And before you ask, of course we have asked the league about our participating in a Winter Classic but so has every other team in the NHL. The league has done a great service here to the teams. We all want to participate. It would be so much fun for our fans and players.