Where To Go From Here?

AP

It was a quick exit for the Caps. Apologies to fans from the owner, some job security for a coach by a general manager and all around bad feeling for just about everyone else. What is done, can not be undone so all there is left to do is look to the future of the franchise. Where do the Capitals go from here?

The first thing they have to do is analyze what went wrong. The Capitals thought that changing their system to a more defensive style would prove useful come playoff time. It did work. If you look at game five against the New York Rangers, the Capitals played their system to a tee. They were patient, played responsible in the defensive zone and their transition from defense to offense lead to a few goals.

But in the series against the Lightning, their iron clad system turned into confusion and mental mistakes. Resiliency turned into panic and poor decision making. Some of it can be blamed on youth. A third of the Caps defensive corps are rookies. Some of it could be blamed on role players not stepping up and adding to the score sheet.

The Capitals are an emotional team. The Lightning gave them very little to react to. There were no fights, no real scrums. Tampa kept their emotions in check and the Capitals had little to work on. They couldn't get under the skin of top players like Marty St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. There was nothing to build a cause around and they just got out played. I think we all remember what Steve Downie tried to do getting into a fight with Ovechkin in the regular season. It ended up bolstering the Caps bench and Matt Bradley came to the rescue. But the Bolts didn't give the Caps much to work with in the playoffs.

Now the Caps have to correct it when they face this type of game again. Brooks Laich is a unrestricted free agent this summer, as is Jason Arnott, Matt Bradley, Marco Sturm and Boyd Gordon. George McPhee might try to hold on to a few, but all were non factors in the series against the Lightnin (just two goals total and a combined -2 for those 5 players in four games).

AP

McPhee could try to re-energize his team with some proven role players. Bring in some guys who know what their job is and do it well. An agitator when he needs to be, a fighter to protect his team and some one who isn't afraid to score a goal or two.

As far as his defense looks, McPhee has masterfully protected his blue line with some great youth. Karl Alzner and John Carlson have been fantastic on the back end for Washington, often matched up with top lines on opposing teams. With youth coming up the pipeline in Dmitri Orlov the Caps will be okay on the back end. Alzner is a RFA this summer, but I don't think McPhee will have any trouble resigning the young defenseman.

The netminders look good too. Michal Neuvirth's first season as a Capital was a success. He was the best goaltender in the playoffs before they ran into the Lightning. Even if back up Semyon Varlamov goes to the KHL, which he is rumored to do, Braden Holtby will be more than capable filling in. The Caps are solid with three youthful goaltenders that have nothing but potential ahead of them.

Let's face it, the young guns (Alex Ovechkin, Alex Semin, Nick Backstrom and Mike Green) aren't getting much younger. These core players actually have the clock against them. Green's contract ends next year, as does Semin. If a contracts can't be negotiated, the pair could be traded for something in return (not saying that will happen, McPhee has done funnier and less funnier things).

The power play needs to be revamped. After only scoring 2 goals for 19 chances against the Lightning (one goal on a 5 on 3), the extra man advantage needs to find a better system. Part of their problem is their predictability. It is a problem that plagued the Capitals all season long. They look for the one timer opposite side of the overload. Backstrom feeds the cross ice pass to shooters Green, Semin and Ovechkin and Mike Knuble cleans up the garbage. But teams have started to be more aggressive on the passer and take away the center of the ice. Instead of a quick pass, the Caps are still looking for the cross ice pass, often forcing it if it isn't there.

The easiest solution to the power play woes is to practice moving the puck much faster and puck control inside the zone. Practicing patience and wearing down the penalty killers could lead to mistakes by the defensive team and open seams to one timers or better. The system doesn't always work, but it does lead to offensive chances and also tires the goaltender who has to go from post to post to keep up with the passes and fake shots.

The penalty kill is fine. Although it would be best if the Capitals practiced some discipline. They changed their penalty kill to be more aggressive and the killers they have also add an offensive threat to keep other teams honest. It wasn't perfect against the Bolts, they scored at least a power play goal in three of four games in the series.

There will be a whole lot of questions this summer yet to be answered. Will the Caps be able to hold on to the players they need while improving their team? Will the power play change? Will the Caps go in a different direction with their offense? The sad thing is we will have to wait until September to get all the answers.

Caps notes:

• Ovechkin is off to play in the World Championship. After admitting he had been injured for most of the season according to Wash Post. He was recovering from surgery in March during his "rest." Ovi stayed mum on the injury and blamed most of his lack of offensive production due to his focus on the post season.
• Other injuries that were disclosed: Mike Knuble (broken thumb), Mike Green (hip flexor), John Carlson (hip pointer), Jason Arnott (had knee surgery late in the season). Add Tom Poti who is battling a groin pull problem and Backstrom had a fractured thumb late in the season.

McPhee Faces Most Important Trade Deadline Of His Career

The fate of the Washington Capitals, head coach Bruce Boudreau and even general manager George McPhee could change drastically. As the Caps talk of a trade that could spark the team's sudden lack of offense could be found in getting just the play for the job. But February 28th is fast approaching, the NHL's trade deadline. And McPhee could put his team in a position for a run at the Cup, or their struggles continue.

Last season, McPhee found it important to stock his shelves with players that can step in as injuries occur. It is a forward thinking proposition if the team expects to be in the playoffs for the long run. But that plan did really come to fruition. A quick exit in the first round after taking the league by storm in the regular season was nothing short of a disappointment.

Unlike last season, the Caps need production now out of who ever they might get. If the Caps continue to slip in the standings. They are currently 5 points behind the Lightning, with the Canadiens, Rangers and Hurricanes pressing to leap frog the Caps to sit a little more pretty in the standings.

Let's take an honest look at this season though. If the Capitals had this kind of season before the offensive juggernaut of the '09-'10 team, would we still be as disappointed in how this team is producing? Maybe on the numbers Nick Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin are putting up. But this team is a completely different team than a year ago.

The defensive core has at leas 600 less games played before they acquired Scott Hannan from Colorado. Include a pair of rookie goaltenders that the Capitals feel they have to play tougher defense in front of and a lack luster power play from last season puts the Caps in unfamiliar waters.

If the Caps can't turn around their current situation and the struggles continue into another disappointing early exit in the playoffs, owner Ted Leonsis has some tough decisions to make. Should he stick with McPhee and make a coaching change? Or make changes from the top down? Since the purchase of the Washington Wizards, Uncle Ted has his attentions split and maybe thinking of making those steep changes in what was a sure thing a season ago.

But to put myself in the shoes of McPhee, Boudreau or even Ted Leonsis is a stretch. Like McPhee has said before, if I really knew anything about hockey I would be in the business. But as an outside entity that has cover this team for the last five years, I see the writing on the wall. This will be a very important trade deadline for this team. It can be a turning point for either good or bad.

How To Make Ted Leonsis' Heart Skip A Beat...

Close call!

Bring On Detroit Fans, I Don't Care

While a lot of Capitals' fans are getting annoyed at all the Detroit Red Wings fans in attendance at the game Saturday afternoon. Peppered through out the stands were the faithful of the red and white cheering on their team. It seemed to upset some fans prompting a response by Caps' owner Ted Leonsis. Per Ted's Take:

We didn’t sell any group tickets to any fan clubs from Detroit. We didn’t sell any tickets to any travel agencies from Detroit either.
We didn’t have to since we were sold out with fans from our own community. My goal is to start next season with 14,000 season tickets sold!

What I do see happening though now is this: Many season ticket holders are now selling off some key games against big rivals on ticket exchange services. They get a huge markup on their tickets that helps defray the cost of tickets for the rest of the season.

There were about 5 rows in front of me where there are usually a large group of season ticket holders that had sold their tickets to local Detroit fans. I may have to find a way to get first right of refusal on resell of our seats. :-)

Many fans that were rooting for Detroit are actually our season ticket holders. They are happy Caps fans and loyal customers and they root for the Caps always except when we play Detroit. When we sell out the bottom and top bowl, the club seats go on sale via Washington Sports and some of those tickets get sold as groups or online to Detroit fans.

It is obvious that we have made progress. Perhaps ten percent of the arena was rooting for Detroit at yesterday’s game. I won’t rest until we have 100 percent Caps fans in our building but I admire what Detroit has built in terms of fan loyalty. Thank you Caps fans for being loud and proud. We are building a Hockeytown right here in DC.

While it's been annoying to have those fans sitting next to you at the Verizon Center when the Caps were struggling, it is a tad more entertaining when the Caps winning. Much like it was on Saturday. When the Red Wings scored, we saw the normal yelling and hooting from the Detroit faithful. But when the Caps scored, especially Alex Ovechkin's first goal in the third, the look on their faces was picture perfect.

When Ovechkin scored on the power play to put the Caps up by two, it was even more fun to tease those red and white jerseys right out of the building. "Beat the traffic, beat, beat the traffic!" If the Capitals keep winning at the phone booth, I will take those opposing fans any day of the week.

To see those Detroit Fans not only leave disappointed that their team lost, they had to put up with Caps fans teasing and in a happy mood. That is worth the price of admission. It should be a warning for any opposing team's fans who decide to take a game in at Verizon Center, there is a good chance your team is going to lose and that $200 bucks you spent on a $90 ticket really wasn't worth it, was it?

So bring on the Detroit fans, the Penguins fans, Ranger fans, Carolina fans, Flyer fans. We can handle them, and they are just going to go home hurt and broke. Uncle Ted, your warning and actions are not really needed, we can handle them. Just like the Caps can handle any opposing team that takes to the phone booth's ice.

Ovi Not The Only Capital At All Star Game

Besides Caps' superstar Alex Ovechkin, Slapshot made the trip to Montreal, so did Caps' owner Ted Leonsis who made several appearances at some of the ASG parties.

Kolzig The Baby

As much as I hate to bash the Capitals netminder of over a century (not that much though considering the title), Kolzig's absence at the end of year team meeting was less then classy. Even though his peers might show publicly otherwise, showing up early to clear his locker, leaving before the bulk of the team arrives, and skipping the mandatory meeting all sounds like the actions of a bitter person. But Olaf Kolzig never did hide his emotions very well.

He was never comfortable when Glen Hanlon left. He was called out by the new coach that never coached a day in the NHL, suddenly his workload was much more and the back up, Brent Johnson, was getting better numbers. Kolzig was caught in a situation where he wasn't "the man" anymore.

Kolzig was entitled to that starting position, after all that he did for the organization. But, to be honest, all he did was lose for the last 5 years. Everyone assumed is numbers dropped because of the what was in front of him, a young inexperienced defensive core. But with Johnson performing better, it made it hard to justify what was going on with him.

Then the biggest insult. On the last year of his contract, a contract he signed knowing full well they may not get to the playoffs for another two years beyond it, they traded a pick for a goaltender with better numbers. Three's Company.

Kolzig improved when the trade happened, he's no dummy, he had to. He knew he would be sharing time with Huet and if he didn't produce he would sit. He was doing alright, he raised his goals against average up almost a full percentage point. He was big in net, just like the old days. There was always a part of me though that saw him try too hard, his competitive spirit was getting in the way of getting the job done. When an opponent scored against him, his negative attitude radiated amongst the team.

That's when Chicago happened. 5-0. It was the nail in the coffin. He couldn't compete with Huet's goal a game. He just let 5 goals past, and 3 of them seemed soft. Kolzig never got another start in net. Not that the fans or the coaches or management wanted it to end that way.

Removing the nameplate, walking out of the building silent and just going home. That was his response to an incredible Capitals' season. I am sure if he had talk to reporters, what he had to say couldn't be repeated in civilized conversation. He's upset, hurt, and bitter.

But what he fails to realize is the fans still love him. There were more Kolzig jerseys at game seven than Huet. There was more sympathy for him in this town, Kolzig was still King. He earned 300 wins here. He still wears the C even if the league won't let him sew it on. His actions after the season were a bit self centered and immature. But, truthfully, would we want Kolzig to be any other way?

Some other news and notes:

• Nicklas Backstrom was the only non-Blackhawk nominated for the Calder. He should get it, doesn't mean he will.
• Ratings for Game 7 were through the roof. Even talk of the Caps fans having more of pulse than Wizards fans. I thought I would never see the day. Still pisses me off though that Redskins Radio is still taking up an hour on CSN when they have zero to talk about. One can only listen to talk of Chad Johnson so much. He's not leaving Cincy!
  
• Bruce Boudreau was given a contract extension to be the Capitals' coach for a very long time. He is looking at houses in Maryland.
• Uncle Ted was probably the most inconsolable following the Game 7 loss. I heard fans cheered for him as he made his way to the locker room following the end of the game, he looked "very emotional." Aw.
• There was a very upset boy in our row following the game and all attempts to cheer him up were going south until one fan knelt to him and told him to cheer up. "If you are going to be a Caps fan, you are going to have a lot of days like these." Priceless.
  

When Mullet Meets Management

Thanks to Uncle Ted who found this jewel. GMGM looks pretty good with a mullet. Bring it back George!

Find the video here.

I wonder if the food was any good.

Breaking Down the Deal

The Capitals sure turned some heads with their offer to Alex Ovechkin. $124 million over the next 13 years, the wealthiest contract in NHL History. Ovie will be paid $9 million in the first six years, the the price jumps to $10 million for the remaining seven. However, this isn't the first time the Caps have paid the most for a single player (at the time Jagr's contract was a load to swallow too).

The contract also includes limited movement. When Ovie turns 27, he will hand George McPhee (if he is here in 5 years) a list of teams he would not like to be traded to. Apparently, in case the Caps hit the fan and have to move one of the biggest stars in the NHL.

The Caps leave themselves a little cap room too, under the current configuration the Caps have roughly $13 million in Cap space. With Ovie's hit next season, that still leaves $7 million for the Caps to play with and stay under the cap ceiling. The Capitals will have to say goodbye to some good talent at the end of the season.

So, who do you hold on to? Who do you part with? And what can you offer Mike Green who suddenly is making himself just as invaluable as Ovie in a Capitals' sweater? The list of RFAs includes Shaone Morrison, Steve Eminger, Tomas Fleischmann, Eric Fehr and Brooks Laich. Good chance that more than one of these players will be in a new uniform next year. Not to mention the UFAs that include Olaf Kolzig and Donald Brashear (Quintin Laing and Frederic Cassivi are also free agents at the end of the season). If the Caps miss the playoffs, look for some major moves by McPhee to keep the players he does want. Based on Ted Leonsis comments talking to Scott Laughlin on XM Satellite Radio the core of this team is Ovechkin, Green, Alex Semin and Nick Backstrom.

Also consider this, what team in the NHL has the means to make that kind of deal if they wanted to lure Ovie away from the Caps? Could he have made more? Any other team would have taken a significant hit. Would have Montreal ponied up the dough? New York? Are you glad that you don't really have to answer those questions because Alex Ovechkin will be a Capital for a very long time? Yea, me too.

The deal is big, but manageable. The Caps do leave some cap room to play with. They may also be betting that the cap hit will grow over the years. In any case Ovechkin is the new face of the Capitals organization. When people think Capitals, Ovie will be synonymous with those thoughts. A happy thought for sure.

There is a lot to read about the deal this morning and these are some of the interesting musings:

On Frozen Blog
Japers Rink
Washington Post
Washington Times
Toronto Sun

Done Deal

Alex Ovechkin will be a Capital for at least 13 more years. The initial numbers were not correct, previously reported as a contract worth $54 million for six years, but Ted Leonsis struck down those numbers. The announcement was made tonight at a press conference at a meet the team party for season ticket holders. It was probably orchestrated that way.

Still up for grabs though are Mike Green, Shaone Morrisonn, Eric Fehr, Tomas Fleischmann, Brooks Laich, Boyd Gordon, Steve Eminger who are all restricted free agents at season's end. Still, this is a huge relief to Caps fans everywhere who had to withstand rumor after rumor of Ovie possibly leaving to play for a different team. If that had happened, that would have been a catastrophic mistake for the Capitals organization.

But Ovie is a Cap, and that is a good thing.

P.S. 6:59 pm: Word is circulating that the contract is for 13 years, not 6.

P.S.S. 7:14 pm: The Contract is worth 13 years $124 million. Whoa!

Close To A Deal?

RDS.ca is reporting the Capitals closed a deal to keep Alex Ovechkin a Capital for six years at a price tag of $54 million dollars, but no one is confirming the rumor. TSN.ca also ran a story that the deal had been reached, but then quickly backtracked after their "sources" said no deal had been finalized.

One good thing that is coming from this is that the two sides are talking. While before all we were getting were "we have time" and "I haven't spoken to them" from both sides. This could also just be a first offer, a pretty handsome one at that. But the drama continues and I won't be jumping up and down until a contract has been approved by the league.

Coaching Quandary

I am not saying that Ted Leonsis is making calls to replace anybody at this point. But if Capitals fans seem dead set on cutting Glen Hanlon loose, then we might as well look at our options.

The likeliest outcome would be the dismissal of Hanlon. GM George McPhee most likely will stay. General managers normally are not replaced mid season. Mostly because the GM would cut the coach before his hot seat gets too hot. If McPhee stays with Hanlon, they both go. So it's likely that McPhee would rather find a new coach rather than a new job. Much like the situation in Atlanta, Don Waddell had to cut Bob Hartley or lose his job as well.

So if Hanlon is out, who do you want in? Bob Hartley? Pat Quinn? Another?

Bob Hartley would be a bad choice. He is a harsh coach more apt to push veterans rather than a young squad that is short of confidence right now. Pat Quinn would be a better choice. His knowledge of international hockey would be helpful with both Russian and Swedish stars on this team. Those are the two I know of that I could talk about, but I am sure there is more.

But again, I think a lot more bad has to happen before we go down this road. There is still time to turn this around. The Capitals are playing with more urgency, which is good, but the results are less than spectacular. And when this offense gets hot, talk of coach replacement will be the last thing on Caps fans' minds.

I think part of the reason for the recent decline is that teams are more prepared for the Capitals. The Caps aren't the rebuilding youth of years past. They are getting NHL's best full attention. Maybe a couple of those games last year the other teams didn't take the Caps too seriously. This year they are.

I doubt Uncle Ted will be making any drastic changes soon. But I have been wrong before.

Southeast Division Overview (Carolina)

When you think of the Carolina Hurricanes, you think one more game. That was all that separated the '05-'06 Stanley Cup Champions from repeating another playoff run. Just one game out.

Carolina's off season was a very quiet one. GM Jim Rutherford believes if it ain't broke, why make changes. "We have the structure here of a team that can win the Stanley Cup again," Rutherford told the Raleigh News Observer upon missing the playoffs last year. "That's why we have to be very careful with the decisions we make in June as to who will start the season with us next year. And that's why we want to get away from all the emotions and disappointment now and start to talk about who fits on our team and how we can improve our team to get back to winning."

As far as the 'Canes forwards are concerned, there is little change. But more is needed from Eric Staal who is returning from an off season (and a bachelor party) he would like to forget. Staal heroics in the play off run two seasons ago made him a star, but the Hurricanes need more out of the forward during the regular season if they wish to wash away an early departure come April. Eric Cole returns healthy and ready and Carolina has brought back Matt Cullen from the Rangers. It should be a dangerous offense working off the disappointment of last year.

Carolina's defense has also remained intact. Names like Mike Commodore, Frantisek Kaberle, Niclas Wallin and Bret Hedican will all be on the Hurricane blue line again.

Goaltending is not really in question for the 'Canes. Cam Ward will be the work horse for most of the season. But a costly John Grahame is also a capable starter.

Carolina's coach Peter Laviolette will have this team buzzing at the start of the season. The 'Canes are a dangerous team in the Southeast, and I think they have the potential to kick it into gear and take either first or second in the division.

For the Capitals, it will be important series for them this season to play Carolina tough. The Hurricanes have a well rounded team that has now played as a unit for a couple of years. Their offense will be as dangerous as it was last year, and it's defense just as gritty. Last season Carolina was 5-3-0 against the Capitals.

Tomorrow: Florida

NHL Notes:

Uncle Ted has set the bar for the Capitals. "Every person in the organization's expectation is that we will make the playoffs," Leonsis told reporters. Not so much as a promise, but a goal. We are all behind you Ted. Make it happen. "I could be wrong," Leonsis added. "Time will tell - but at least I've got a plan." Good high note to end on.

The season hasn't started (some training camps haven't even started yet) and already teams are trading. The Islanders traded Petteri Nokelainen for a conditional draft pick and Ben Walter from Boston. Not sure what this does for either Boston or Long Island, but time will tell I'd imagine.

Radio Logic

Uncle Ted is setting us straight on radio. I just had a few comments myself to divulge.

I feel it's more of a supply and demand thing. Radio will only broadcast what it can sell. Obviously (and sadly) the radio stations (clear channel, infinity, citadel, etc.) can't sell Capitals programming and a major league sport has to dole out the cash to get on air.

If the Caps were a "big" hit in DC, you can be sure that the radio stations would cease to charge Uncle Ted and sell the advertising themselves (they generate more revenue that way). Unfortunately, that means if a sport is "cold" like the Caps (even with Ovechkin), radio stations will not submit their sales teams to market what they already believe to be a "hard sell." In other words, if they can't make money selling it themselves, it's not worth it.

Having worked for a radio station I can say that yes there is a double standard. While my company shelled big bucks to cover U of A sports (somewhere in the millions of dollars), another broadcast company had to pay for the time on air to broadcast high school football on the same station. If the station can not make money off it's broadcast, what's the point of putting it on air. The radio stations have to prove they are getting the ratings to assure advertisers are getting what they pay for.

So while the 'skins get love, the Caps don't. It all boils to cold hard cash. I have see radio stations in Texas beat each other over the head for coverage of High School Football, but when it comes to a professional minor league hockey team, fan's pleas to broadcast away games fell on deaf ears.

Radio stations are feeling the crunch from satellite radio, television, even ipods now that mp3 jacks are now standard in most new vehicles sold. If they can't get ratings and earn the cash, they are not going to broadcast. Simple as that.

That means covering Capitals games is not a priority for stations. However, win a few Stanley Cups, and they will knock down your door for the broadcasting rights. In radio, you are either hot or you're not.

Danger Zone

Pittsburgh wasted little time keeping their little nugget close to the steel city. Sid "the Kid" Crosby signed an extension with the Penguins to stay in Pitt until 2013. As Crosby puts pen to paper in western Pennsylvania, many here in the nation's capital are shooting an eye at the Caps management hoping for some kind of extension offered to Alex Ovechkin.

Then this week Ovie revealed that he has no agent at the moment and is talking to management on his own. Not that this is unusual, but it teeters on a very dangerous line of legality. The fact that Ovie does not have representation and the contract no doubt will be in a legal tone of English could lead to problems down the road.

I am not saying that Uncle Ted or GMGM are trying to pull one over on Ovie, but as a lawyer friend pointed out to me, here is a kid whose first language is not English and he is negotiating with a team of lawyers and career deal makers that know how to hide clauses and explain traps away in order to get the contract signed. That could be a recipe for disaster.

A single misunderstanding because Ovie doesn't understand the meaning of the word reciprocity could spell disaster. "If the Capitals were smart," my lawyer friend continued, "they should have someone independent to look over the contract before anyone signs."

Here is the thing, lawyers think like lawyers. There is no common sense clause or we-will-deal-with-that-later or "you will have to just trust me" statements. Every base is covered and every legal step is taken to protect the team. If Ovie is left exposed, he could be spun into a misunderstanding about what he was promised and what was signed.

While I believe that some agents are a complete scumbags, the more and more I realize that it's not that bad of an idea for someone trying to navigate the world of foreign legal systems. If I were to sign a contract in Italy after only spending a year there and learning the language, I may want to get some one to give that contract a good once over that was a) knowledgeable of contracts in Italy's courts and b) speaks Italian fluently.

I am sure there is a lot of good faith on both sides and there is little to worry about. It just makes me squirm a bit to think that if there is a way for the Capitals to screw it up, they just might.

Caps land Nylander

Thank god. I really didn't watch any of the signings today for the very reason of reading the bad news about the Caps missing out on getting Michael Nylander. Sort of if you ignore bad news then it really isn't happening. It's a mid-west thing.

Instead, GMGM comes up big in landing Nylander who should make an immediate impact on the Capitals offensive consistency. When Uncle Ted said he wasn't going to do this rebuilding thing anymore, I can now say how serious he was.

Now players lower on the totem pole have to pick up their games, if they want to see any time on the ice. And talented players like Alex Ovechkin and Alex Semin. At this point a lot of Caps fans are not only excited, but can start talking about a solid team now, not of one in the future.

The Capitals will be taking this season a little more serious. Which of course means that fans and management will be wanting one thing: results. The Caps have to start delivering on these promises of this team getting better. With what both Ted and George are doing, I can truly say that they are going for much more than a play off birth. They are building a team that will go farther than just a first round appearance.

I think a few more heads will turn when the Caps take the ice in the fall.

Season Ticket Drop Spurs Leonsis' Comments

Capitals' owner Ted Leonsis latest promise may have been spurred by sagging season ticket renewals. When talking to a couple of season ticket holders at an event, I asked if they had picked their seats for next season. "Are you kidding me?" One responded, "why wait another 3 years for them to be good."

Leonsis promised to aggressively pursue the free agent market as the Caps were only able to match their last season performance, playing their worst hockey late in the season. I have heard of at least two to three suite owners have not renewed for the next season. If the Capitals were to lose 25% of it's season ticket holders, it stands to lose roughly 1 to 1.5 million dollars in ticket revenue, perhaps worse. Not to mention if any advertisers have not signed on for another year here, that could be really bad.

It was evident that the Caps were hurting for season ticket renewals when they ran ads with 15 games still left in the season. I asked Mr. former ticket owner why he wasn't re-upping for another season. "It's all the same man," he said with a sort of resignation in his voice, "the promotions suck, the free crap sucks, and half the prizes they gave out at the [Buffalo] game went to mostly the other team's fans." I feel you buddy.

"So what would you like to see the Caps do?" I asked. "Get some cheerleaders, get some better games at [intermission]. Look, it's a losing team, everyone knows that. Why should some average Joe want to go see losers?" He also mentioned of the full season package he bought he went to a total of 10 to 15 games. He tried to give the tickets to people he worked with, maybe 2 or 3 took him up on his tickets for a couple of the games. For the rest of the season the seats collected dust.

It's not like the Caps lack talent, they just lack NHL talent. Leonsis needs a playoff team to seal the crack in the dam, or all of his season ticket holders will bolt for the door. Even though the Caps' management have said nothing about the loss of season ticket holders, you can see the beads of sweat on the foreheads. They certainly wouldn't confirm that they have lost any to a mere blogger.

The Capitals may have 5th pick in the draft, but many experts and hockey insiders say that the pool in this year's draft is 3 to 4 years from developing into NHL talent. Frankly, the Caps don't have that kind of time.

Just about every Capital player has bolted from town, many to join their countries teams for the World Championship, but others could not wait to get out of Dodge. I am sure many had their plane tickets for Sunday morning after the last home game. And the minor leaguers were sent down in the hopes of another Hershey Championship, while others just went home.

The frustration seems to seep into those who have supported the Caps best by purchasing season tickets. But for others, the whole reason for signing on the dotted line was to see an exciting team, and of course Alex Ovechkin.

"That kid is so good," my season ticket challenged friend added. "But, it's just him. I mean Kolzig is okay, but when that Russian is the only guy, you know they're going to bear down on him, shut him down." Not much fun watching a talent get smothered. "Would you get a new package next year if they signed some good talent?" I pondered to him. He scratched his chin and looked somewhere beyond me, "Naw."

One thing is for sure, the Caps will have to win the fans back. And winning cures all ills.

Make That #82

Capitals 0, Sabres 2
Scoresheet - Wash Post

I tried to be as positive as I could going into this game against Buffalo. It was the inconsistent offense that once again failed the Capitals and all the Caps can talk about now is next year. Not sure what was more disheartening, a disappointed finale loss, or a Verizon Center filled to the gut with Buffalo Sabres fans.

The Washington Capitals finish with a 28-40-14 record and finish 5th in the Southeast Division for a third season in a row. They will finish 14th in the Eastern Conference for a third year in a row.

Alex Ovechkin finishes this season with 92 points (46 goals - 46 assists). He was also a -19, worse plus/minus on the Capitals this year. He led the team in shots however taking 384 of them.

Alex Semin finish second in the points for the Caps with 73 points (38 goals - 35 assists). He led the team with 17 powerplay goals. Boyd Gordon had the teams best plus/minus with a +11, Donald Brashear led all Capitals with 156 penalty minutes. Chris Clark led the team in shorthanded goals with 4.

Some Capital Quotes:

"We'll add to the team until we're like Buffalo. I really take heart in looking at some of these teams that were on the bottom. Buffalo wasn't a very good team for a long time and had a very good business model, the same with Pittsburgh, and now both of those teams are 100-point teams and have very high expectations, and I think that's where our bar is going to raised." -Ted Leonsis

Caps' fans tear your hair out no more.

"It's nice if you get a few fans in there that remind you you're not in quite as hostile an environment as you thought." -Ryan Miller on the large number of Buffalo fans at the Verizon Center.

Sure. Why not, it's not like Caps fans are showing up.

"I think it will be a good summer for us. But you don't know who signs, who will come. But I hope. [The fans] hope. Coach hopes. Team guys hope." -Alex Ovechkin

We all had hope at the start of this season too.

"I'm definitely looking forward to next year, with everything that's being said and with what we have here right now. We have the makings of being very good. We were right there up until Christmas time, which is when our lack of depth really showed. Hopefully next year when guys get hurt they won't be missed as much." -Olaf Kolzig

Or everyone just has to stay healthy.

Buffalo Sabres clinch the President's trophy with the win. Capitals just get to go away. But hey, there is always next year!

Getting Some DC Butts In The Seats

I guess things are on shakier ground than I thought. Ted Leonsis is actually asking for help on getting more DC-ites into the Phone Booth. It’s a brave post for the Capitals Owner that is trying to solve the problem of getting the ticket revenue up for the city of DC.

Part of the problem is the Caps don’t draw important people to a game. When was the last time anyone saw Anthony Williams at a game in a Caps sweater? I mean, why should he? There are no DC-ites going to games. You don’t see Paris Hilton there either? That one puzzles me to no end.

Winning cures all ills. The Caps may have only survived first and second rounds of the playoffs, but at least they were there. That streak created a strong fan base. If they knew the team was in the post season, the stadium filled.

Another problem is huge gaps in seating at the stadium. I talked to some Caps fans during the Atlanta game about what they thought of the practically empty building. “It’s disheartening, we almost would feel better staying home and watching it on TV. At least the food is cheaper.”

I think the Caps need to rethink their regular season ticket layout strategy. Why not empty the upper levels and pour those people closer to the ice. If you are averaging 12,000 people a game, then cram them in smaller sections closer to the game. Otherwise the seats go to waste and the building looks empty.

But that might be too much for a major market hockey team to do. The only other way to get butts in the door from DC is hope to god there is a somewhat good African-American hockey talent that is making their way through youth hockey right now that may make the NHL. I am asking a bit much since hockey is not the sport of choice mostly because of the expensive cost of it. Most inner city kids can get a pick up basket-ball game going, a little harder to get them in skates and a stick and break out playing on the tennis courts.

Mostly the reason the Caps draw from the suburbs is simply because they can afford the experience. Their kids play at Mt. Vernon, and Piney Orchard. There is no real inner-city hockey initiative mostly because there is just no interest. Caps can do the boring thing and invite school kids to a game free of charge. That may create more of a base, and get kids interested in the game. But just don’t let them watch, get them down on the ice, meet some of the team and let them experience.

I don’t have the answer that is for sure. But I do want hockey to succeed because it’s a sport I love. I love playing it, I love teaching it and I love to be a fan of it. Maybe it just needs more people like us, who can create a spark for someone who isn’t a fan.

Ted's Trick

In the Category of “Wha?”

Ted Leonsis Magic Trick

This proves too much time on your hands is not necessarily a good thing. Although, I am not the one who owns a professional hockey team.

Owner on Track

Ted Leonsis was recently interviewed in the Wash Post about what lies ahead for the Capitals as this season comes to a close. Leonsis looks to make some moves, but won’t go free-agent crazy.

I think Leonsis is on the right track as he looks for players to compliment, rather than just looking at stat sheets. He was quoted:

"I'm more interested in free agency as the players get a little younger, as time
marches on," he said. "I want to plug them in as we're on this upclimb, someone
who has been in the league four or five years, his best years are still in front
of them."

It sounds like the Caps have a bright future and it will be exciting to see the team gain it’s chemistry. Leonsis is on the right track in building a successful franchise not just for Stanley endeavors, but for many seasons to come.

Rico Fata and Kris Beech, the two newest Capitals, look like they are going to get some time to impress. Fata’s speed will be helpful in an aggressive forecheck, and Beech’s good playmaking skills the two should be able to grow into their new Caps sweaters.

What the Caps may lack is a physical presence in the absence of the recently departed Brendan Witt (who got into a fight over the glass separator with the Sharks in his first game as a Predator). Nolan Yonkman has tried to fill that gap, but the Caps may need some one with some more experience playing that role.

Caps will play the Sabres tonight on OLN. Capitals will have to play smart team defense when they go up against the leagues top scoring team. Alex Ovechkin is looking for a goal after being shut down in the previous two games.