Category Archives: Ted Leonsis

Managing, and Excusing, the Ever Repeating Loop of Mediocrity

Posted on May 16, 2013 by

“I hope the Caps win a Stanley Cup before I’m dead.” — Kevin Fletcher, age 7, Alexandria, Virginia, earlier this week, relayed by his father on Facebook. The definition of precocious there. Good luck with that, Kevin. This Henrik Lundqvist … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Front Office, George McPhee, Marcus Johansson, Martin Erat, Media, Morning cup-a-joe, Much-needed realignment, New York Rangers, NHL referees, playoff hockey, Print, Southeast Division, Ted Leonsis, Thomas Boswell, Washington Capitals, Washington Post, Washington the cursed hockey town, Winter Classic | 8 Comments

A Crisis of Mismanagement

Posted on February 8, 2013 by

If you are shocked and dismayed by where we are with hockey in Washington these days, you weren’t reading here last July. The Unexpected Rebuild, I called it. The Washington Capitals today on the ice are receiving their just due: … Continue reading →

Posted in Adam Oates, Alexander Ovechkin, Bruce Boudreau, Dale Hunter, Eastern Conference, Ed Frankovic, Eric McErlain, Front Office, George McPhee, hockey blogging, Japers' Rink, John Carlson, Karl Alzner, Mike Ribeiro, Morning cup-a-joe, New Jersey Devils, New media, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Rock the Red, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals, Washington Post, Washington the cursed hockey town | 26 Comments

Fehr Says Players Follow Fans’ Lead When It Comes to Rivalry Games

Posted on February 3, 2013 by

The Capitals-Penguins game today brings with it a twist on the question of who or what really feeds longtime rivalries in sports.

Yes, history plays a part. But in the annals of the Caps-Pens rivalry, there is the classic before Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin distinction. For many, knowledge of the rivalry is limited to the era of these two superstars. What preceded is far from mainstream knowledge in current NHL culture.

Newly acquired Capitals forward Joey Crabb, for example, was very up to date on the current rivalry, was aware of the Winter Classic matchup between the two, and has watched several games. But he had no idea, when growing up, of a Caps-Pens blood feud.

“That was a rivalry, eh?” he said. “I guess I’m not as big of a hockey fan as I thought.”

Ironically, a piece of that rivalry history is now standing behind the Capitals’ bench coaching Crabb and his teammates.

“I was part of it when I was here,” head coach Adam Oates reminded reporters after practice Saturday when fielding a Caps-Pens question.

It’s a feud Crosby himself talked about stretching back before his professional career in a 2007 conversation with OFB. Continue reading →

Posted in Eric Fehr, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ted Leonsis | Leave a comment

Showers of Playoff Victories Bring a Flowering of Faithful Fans

Posted on May 11, 2012 by

The Big Guy’s blog, from earlier today — a must read. Jives with what we’ve seen about town, ever since the Caps bettered the Bs. And should Fate smile our way Saturday night, we can only imagine what this town … Continue reading →

Posted in New York Rangers, NHL playoffs, Puck Sodas, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals, Washington the hockey town | 7 Comments

Hitting the Ice a Man Down

Posted on May 9, 2012 by

Some say one must embrace hockey from birth to really appreciate it. Oh, you can become a fan of this great sport no matter your upbringing — but if you didn’t grow up with it, then it’s something you learn to like, not something you breathe.
I breathe hockey. And I owe that all to my dad. Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Dmitry Orlov, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, NHL, Nicklas Backstrom, OFB, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals | 18 Comments

Here’s Hoping

Posted on April 22, 2012 by

Mostly, I hope the Legend who selflessly and at no small personal sacrifice answered George McPhee’s plea back in autumn leaves the Chinatown rink this evening savoring unique triumph, as the bench leader of the crest for which he too … Continue reading →

Posted in Boston Bruins, Braden Holtby, Dale Hunter, John Walton, Morning cup-a-joe, NHL playoffs, Ted Leonsis, Washington Capitals, Washington the hockey town, Washington the would-be sports town | 5 Comments

Hitting the Reset Button

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

I never slow down to peek at roadside car wrecks, but I am going to blog a bit about our barely moving wreck of a hockey team. I’m here with a good deal many more questions than answers, and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alexander Ovechkin, Dave Steckel, George McPhee, Matt Bradley, Mike Green, Stanley Cup, Ted Leonsis, The curse of Washington hockey, The Red Army, The Young Guns, Verizon Center, Washington Capitals, Washington the hockey town | 28 Comments