Is the ugly rumor true?

[CowboyzSuckAzz]

Is the rumor about Ted Leonsis dismantling the team piece by piece true? I've been hearing about it for a few weeks now and everyone that I've spoken to about it agrees with me, it would be a bad move on his part. The way I see it is from all the trades that went on during this past season and all the new draft picks that we've picked up for the 2004-2005 draft why not give it a shot with a new team of guys, mixed with what few veterens that we have left and see if we can at least break even next season?

[Whatchamacallit23]

I don't know...maybe you should go into the regular forums & ask there.
:point2sky

[Skeletor The Invincible]

What rumors would these be? Please be more specific. ;)

[CowboyzSuckAzz]

Originally posted by Skeletor The Invincible
What rumors would these be? Please be more specific. ;)

The rumor about Ted Leonsis dismantling the team piece by piece-the one I mentioned in the post about the rumor to begin with! Just wanting to know. No one seems to have any solid answers so I was hoping someone here will have the answer!

[TheDoyler23]

yes and no

Leonsis was rolling the dice that he would win Ovecheck in the draft. Since there will probably be a play stoppage this year, he can stockpile picks and prospects, run them through the ihl and rebuild the team. Meanwhile they have excellent goalie prospects in Oullette and Carpentier.
Besides they weren't winning with Jagr and Lang. And I'm certian that once they build a nucleus that leonsis will spend for more talent.

[CowboyzSuckAzz]

Originally posted by BDBuddy23
yes and no

Leonsis was rolling the dice that he would win Ovecheck in the draft. Since there will probably be a play stoppage this year, he can stockpile picks and prospects, run them through the ihl and rebuild the team. Meanwhile they have excellent goalie prospects in Oullette and Carpentier.
Besides they weren't winning with Jagr and Lang. And I'm certian that once they build a nucleus that leonsis will spend for more talent.

Well, my concern wasn't that he was trading EVERYONE, but that he was doing it to eliminate the team from pro hockey altogether. From the sounds of it, he was preparing for play stoppage so he wouldn't lose so much money. Now that I see that that is more likely the case, I smile! :thumbsup: :D
Thank you for your help!

[bulldog]

from my understanding, players won't be paid during the lockout so it is not Leonsis' fear of paying big salaries in 2005, it was the specter of a salary cap w/luxury tax on the horizon that made the team reassess its approach.

well, that and being in last place in a mediocre division WITH Jagr, Lang, Gonchar and Co :)

The Capitals are in what is for hockey a small market in Washington. The team has to use the draft and developmental system to identify and bring its top players into the NHL.

There is a strong enough fan base to support a winning team constructed on this basis.

Any thoughts that the Caps could become another version of the Red Wings or Rangers that spend millions each offseason was based on a faulty assumption by Leonsis on what kind of TV contract and gate he was going to receive by putting Jagr and Co. out on the ice at MCI Center.

Know he knows.

But, I don't think the picture is that bleak. Leonsis is a newbie. He hasn't been around the NHL very long and he will learn. The trade for Jagr was made without the concurrence of GM George McPhee. McPhee, along with a host of other NHL personnel men, had questions about Jagr's work ethic and his ability to be an on-ice leader in his own right.

You don't trade for and then sign a player to a $77 million contract to be your cornerstone and THEN have to go out and trade for other players to be your leaders.

When I was a kid I lived in Montreal for over a year between 78-79 and I got to see the Canadiens win the last of their 5 straight cups vs. the Rangers.

Beyond the talent, those clubs had unbelievable leadership. Leadership up front, on the backline and obviously in goal.

The Caps despite the scoring talent of individual players never had that leadership or cohesion the past 3 seasons.

And the presence of a poor coach in Bruce Cassidy only complicated matters.

What coach in his right mind reprimands a player (Olaf Kolzig) in the locker room in front of his teammates for his performance based on the coach's assumption that the player 'just can't seem to stop worrying about his personal circumstances' (ie the fact his son is autistic).............?????

[Renegade7]

Either this will go great, seeing they have so many young players and first round draft picks. Or it will go bad, due to lack of veterans to lead this young team. Either way, this is desperation in the form of sports ownership, and it'll help them save money. Whatever it takes to save their team and maybe even the leauge from going bankrupt and becoming a memory.