Ted Leonsis: How to build a team

[PokerPacker]

Capitals owner Ted Leonsis was asked what the Redskins could do to build a winning team, and he responded with his philosophy in building a hockey team.

What I have learned about a rebuild to date: A 10 point plan. A Washington Capitals perspective:

1. Ask yourself the big question: "Can this team--as constructed--ever win a championship?" If the answer is yes -- stay the course and try to find the right formula -- if the answer is no, then plan to rebuild. Don't fake it--really do the analytics and be brutally honest. Once you have your answer, develop the game plan to try to REALLY win a championship. Always run away from experts that say, "We are just one player away." Recognize there is no easy and fast systemic fix. It will be a bumpy ride--have confidence in the plan--"trust and verify: the progress -- but don't deviate from the plan."

2. Once you make the decision to rebuild--be transparent. Articulate the plan and sell it loudly and proudly to all constituencies, the media, the organization, the fans, your partners, family and anyone who will listen. Agree to what makes for a successful rebuild--in our case it is "a great young team with upside that can make the playoffs for a decade and win a Stanley Cup or two."

3. Once you decide to rebuild--bring the house down to the foundation--be consistent with your plan--and with your asks--we always sought to get "a pick and a prospect" in all of our trades. We believed that volume would yield better results than precision. We decided to trade multiple stars at their prime or peak to get a large volume of young players. Young players will get better as they age, so you have built in upside. Youngsters push vets to play better to keep their jobs, and they stay healthier, and they are more fun--less jaded by pro sports.

4. Commit to building around the draft. Invest in scouting, development, and a system. Articulate that system and stay with it so that all players feel comfortable-- know the language-- know what is expected of them-- read the Oriole Way*. It worked and it is a great tutorial. Draft players that fit the system, not the best player. Draft the best player for the system. Don't deviate or get seduced by agents, media demands, or by just stats or hype. Envision how this player will slide into your system.

5. Be patient with young players-- throw them in the pool to see if they can swim. Believe in them. Show them loyalty. Re-sign the best young players to long term high priced deals. Show the players you are very loyal to them as compared to free agents who achieved highly for another team. Teach them. Celebrate their successes. Use failures as a way to teach and improve. Coaches must be tough but kind to build confidence.

6. Make sure the GM, coach, owner and business folks are on the EXACT same page as to deliverables, metrics of success, ultimate goal, process and measured outcomes. Always meet to discuss analytics and don't be afraid of the truth that the numbers reveal. Manage to outcomes. Manage to let the GM and coach NOT be afraid of taking risks, and make sure there are no surprises. Over communicate. Act like an ethnic family--battle around the dinner table--never in public. Be tight as a team. Protect and enhance each other. Let the right people do their jobs.

7. No jerks allowed. Implement a no jerk policy. Draft and develop and keep high character people. Team chemistry is vital to success. Make sure the best and highest paid players are coachable, show respect to the system, want to be in the city, love to welcome new, young players to the team, have respect for the fan base, show joy in their occupation, get the system, believe in the coaches, have fun in practice, and want to be gym rats. Dump quickly distractions. Life is too short to drink bad wine.

8. Add veterans to the team via shorter term deals as free agents. Signing long-term, expensive deals for vets is very risky. We try to add vets to the mix for two year or three year deals. They fill in around our young core. They are very important for leadership, but they must complement the young core (NOT try to overtake them or be paid more than them). Identify and protect the core. Add veterans to complement them, not visa versa.

9. Measure and improve. Have shared metrics--know what the progress is--and where it ranks on the timeline-- be honest in all appraisals; don't be afraid to trade young assets for other draft picks to build back end backlog-- know the aging of contracts-- protect "optionality" to make trades at deadlines or in off season; never get in cap jail. Having dry powder is very important to make needed moves.

10. Never settle--never rest--keep on improving. Around the edges to the plan, have monthly, quarterly and annual check ups. Refresh the plan when needed but for the right reasons-- "how are we doing against our metrics of success and where are we on our path to a championship." Never listen to bloggers, media, so called experts--to thine own self be true. Enjoy the ride.

This is a very impressive list, and when you look at the Capitals' roster, it is very clear that they stuck to these ten points. In 2001, Ted had fallen into the "win now" trap that many new owners do. He signed big name free agents like Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang. When asked about the Jagr deal in retrospect, he said simply "You live and you learn" and characterized the deal as a situation in which he "let an agent put a gun to my head." Fair enough. The lessons learned from these big splash acquisitions are evident in steps #5 and #8. When Ted and his staff made the difficult decision to rebuild, an impressive chain of events followed:

Jan. 2004 - Jagr traded to Rangers for Anson Carter (freeing $24mil of the $44mil left on Jagr's contract)

Feb. 2004 - Peter Bondra traded to Ottawa for Brooks Laich and 2nd round pick

Feb. 2004 - Robert Lang traded to DET for Tomas Fleischmann, a 1st-round 2004 draft pick and a 4th-round 2006 pick.

March 2004 - Gonchar traded to BOS for Shaone Morrisonn and 1st and 2nd-round picks in the 2004 draft.

March 2006 - Brendan Witt traded to NAS for Kris Beech and 1st round pick.

With all the picks from the trades, the Caps drafted:

2004: Three #1 picks (Ovechkin, Jeff Schultz, Mike Green)

2006: Two #1 picks (Backstrom and Simeon Varlamov-G)

Added Free Agents: Kozlov (2007) and Brashear/Poti (2006). Kozlov signed for 2 years, Brashear for 1 year, and Tom Poti for 4 years. Semin was drafted in 2002 by the Caps and called up in 2004. Short-term contracts for free agents. Poti was coming off his rookie year, which validates a four-year contract.

How this applies to the REDSKINS:

I really hope Daniel Snyder has some time to read Ted's take. Snyder no doubt has learned from the past, but I still have zero confidence that the Redskins organization as a whole is on the same page. In fact, we all know it's the opposite. When a franchise has as much turnover as the Skins do in the coaching positions, how can we be "building" anything? Gibbs was a "run first" type of coach and built a team that fits his mold. Just last year we hired a West Coast offense coach that needs tall, speedy WRs. To me, this is not a process of building. Are the Skins a playoff team that can compete? Absolutely. Are we a team that is established for an extended playoff run with legit chances for Super Bowl appearances? NO. Every year when free agency starts (okay, except for last year), the Redskins take that Happy Gilmore-esque swing for the best players. The smoking gun is our aging roster and lack of depth. A large part of our defensive and offensive lines are over the age of 30. Portis has 1-2 solid years left, but there is no one groomed to take over that spot in the future (or take some of the load from him now).

Realistically, I don't think our organization has what it takes to build a franchise from the ground up. This is most evident in Snyder's reluctance to hand over the reins to a General Manager, and his creation of an enviornment where coaches seem to have the same job security as Kickers. The free agency carousel always seems to be relied upon as the Skins' best bet for a Super Bowl appearance.

Revisiting the list, the Redskins front office has continually violated ALL ten of Ted's lessons. Let's run through them real quick:

1.) "Have confidence in the plan and don't deviate from it."

The Skins definitely do not have a plan. The owner buys free agents as he sees, and coaches come and go.

2.) "Articulate the plan to the media, fans, partners..."

Dan Snyder is as secretive as it gets. Vinny Cerrato started doing the radio show, but let's be real, that does not give us any insight as to the plan. Simply, because there isn't one.

3.) "Seek a pick and prospect for every trade."

Well, we're the ones trading the picks, so in this sense, we're going backwards.

4.) "Commit to building around the draft."

The Skins only have 4 draft picks this year.

5.) "Show the players you are loyal to them."

I can't help but think of how Gregg Williams let Antonio Pierce walk when he had proven his value. At the time, Pierce embodied the hard-working, professional attitude that the coaches publicly praised, yet we let him walk. Players notice this kind of treatment where hard work is not rewarded. Pierce of course signed with the Giants where he became the defensive captain and anchor for their Super Bowl win.

6.) "Make sure the GM, coach, owner, and business folks are on the EXACT same page."

Well, Snyder and Vinny are on the same page. A blank page.

7.) "No jerks allowed."

I agree 100% with this rule. Unfortunately, it's much more difficult to follow in the NFL. Jerry Jones did not follow this at all and it BURIED him last year. (TO, Tank Johnson, and Pacman Jones). Same with Cincy. There is a reason Bill Parcells is so successful -- he shares a lot of the same ideologies as Ted.

8.) "Add veterans to short-term contracts."

This as we all know is our front-office's worst quality. Over-extending the length of contracts to aged vets. I can't help but think of the 7-year deal we signed Mark Brunell to as he was turning 34 years old.

9.) "Measure and improve - shared metrics."

I'm pretty confident the only metrics the Redskins front office measures to are dollar signs and number of wins.

10.) "Never settle - keep on improving."

This I have mixed emotions on. We have a large field of scouts, however, every year we take the shortcut with free agents. I would think we could add some low-price free agents or trade for value to build our team, but that just doesn't seem to be the case.

The most important thing I learned from Ted's model is hoarding draft picks. It is inevitable that some of the drafted players will turn out to be busts. So the key is not trading the picks away to leave yourself in a situation where you have to get every pick exactly right. It will be exciting to see the Redskins "build" their team in eight hours when Free Agency starts.

* - The Oriole Way was a belief that hard work, professionalism, and a strong understanding of fundamentals were the keys to success at the major league level. It was based on the belief that if every coach, at every level, taught the game the same way, the organization could produce "replacement parts" that could be substituted seamlessly into the big league club with little or no adjustment.

http://www.hogshaven.com/2009/2/26/772915/ted-leonsis-shares-his-ten

I noticed quite a few people mentioning how they wish Leonsis would buy the Redskins because he knows how to build a team, and interestingly enough, he laid out a 10-point plan for the Mr. Snyder pro bono. Maybe he'll take a few tips?

[Soup]

Hold on the Caps never won a cup. Plus they were horrible before alexander the great came in. I'll give you that Leonsis is a great owner but Alexander is like the peyton manning of NHL. Snyder would look like a genius if he had a top QB playing with the redskins.

If there was a way to buy Tom Brady or Peyton Manning the skins would just be as great as the Caps are now. Its easy to say he's a good owner with a player like Alex on the team. I want to see how he does without him.

[PokerPacker]

Hold on the Caps never won a cup. Plus they were horrible before alexander the great came in. I'll give you that Leonsis is a great owner but Alexander is like the peyton manning of NHL. Snyder would look like a genius if he had a top QB playing with the redskins.

If there was a way to buy Tom Brady or Peyton Manning the skins would just be as great as the Caps are now. Its easy to say he's a good owner with a player like Alex on the team. I want to see how he does without him.

they were horrible after he came in as well. Hockey is not a one-man sport. you need an entire team to compete.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

The Skins definitely do not have a plan.

Oh, they have a plan. But 90% of the Skins fans want Snyder and Vinny to deviate from it if it doesn't yield immediate results. Look how many fans have:

1) Called for Zorn to be fired...after one year.

2) Declared last year's draft to be a bust...after one year.

3) Wanted to start Brennan...after one preseason.

4) Want Jason Taylor gone...after one injury-filled season.

and so on and so forth, blah blah...If Snyder and Vinny did what so many Skins fans have been clamoring for them to do this offseason, it would require them to scrap their current plan after just one year. Plans require patience and confidence in them. Too many fans here don't want Snyder or Vinny to show either of those traits right now.

And signing two free agents in HUGE areas of need is not a sign of not having a plan, especially when the two free agents have histories with coaches currently on the team. In fact, Vinny said that was gonna be an overriding factor in who they select in FA from now on: whether or not any of the coaches actually have worked with the players they're looking at. So they're sticking to their plan...we just don't want them to, and then claim that they really HAVE no plan. Ironic, to say the least.

[eagleskins]

Any team that has Jason Candle as their starting QB can't expect to compete.

[Renegade7]

We've never won less then 5 games under Snyder's watch, which compared to how pathetic the caps where before they got blown up, is why Snyder never felt the need to do that. We never had a 1-15, 3-13 type season, so we never had to go into that type of rebuilding mode. And like stated earlier, caps got lucky drafting someone of Ovi's caliber, but have still yet to win anything. That could change this year or the next, but the caps and the skins are two different franchises in two different sports with two different recent histories.

[Califan007 The Constipated]

Any team that has Jason Candle as their starting QB can't expect to compete.

Apparently any team with Jason "Candle" as their starting QB can go 3-1 in back-to-back seasons against the Eagles, though.

[bubba9497]

Any team that has Jason Candle as their starting QB can't expect to compete.

Good thing we have Jason Campbell

[scruffylookin]

We've never won less then 5 games under Snyder's watch, which compared to how pathetic the caps where before they got blown up, is why Snyder never felt the need to do that. We never had a 1-15, 3-13 type season, so we never had to go into that type of rebuilding mode. And like stated earlier, caps got lucky drafting someone of Ovi's caliber, but have still yet to win anything. That could change this year or the next, but the caps and the skins are two different franchises in two different sports with two different recent histories.

Nonsense. The difference between 3-13 and 5-11 are nonexistent. Norv and Casserly never went 1-15 either. Teams that fall that far are rare. Look at Snyder's overall record of results, still think he never should have adopted Leonisis' approach?

Also, the Caps never bottomed out either.

They had 3 bad seasons during the rebuild

2004 23-46-10-3

2006 29-41-12

2007 28-40-14

Bad records for sure, but they are the equivelent of Snyder's 5 or 6 win seasons. Of course the biggest difference is the Caps achieved those records while in the midst of rebuilding and playing their young players. Snyder's team never did that, so there's no excuse for the 10 loss seasons that he had.

The Caps haven't won anything yet?

They just started to blossom.

Last year they won the division but lost in the first round.

This year they're running away with the division and are in contention for the top spot in the league (plus own the current first seed, Boston, by beating them 3 of 4 times this season). Snyder can never say this.

So we haven't even finished year two yet and there's no question the Caps prospects for the next 5 years are much better than Snyder's.

I wish people would stop making excuses for the way Snyder does things and start holding him responsible for his failures.

[Commander Adama]

1.) "Have confidence in the plan and don't deviate from it."

The Skins definitely do not have a plan. The owner buys free agents as he sees, and coaches come and go.

Have to disagree with you here. The front office has been pretty quiet the past few off-seasons, and only this off-season got 3 key players that could help the franchise. A phenomenal Defensive Lineman, an pretty good Offensive Lineman, and retained a very good young Cornerback. Heading into the draft there are two positions that could use some additional bolstering are Offensive Line and Linebacker. I can see the Front Office targetting a couple Offensive Linemen with the first pick (Oher, Monroe, Smith, Robinson, etc.). I could also see them trading down, still picking up an Offensive Lineman with the first pick, getting a good Linebacker with the second pick, and another Offensive Lineman with the third pick. I call that having an excellent plan this off-season and sticking with it.

Yes, people could say we need a new Quarterback, but they are trying to give JC one more year to develop under Zorn's coaching.

[Commander Adama]

Apparently any team with Jason "Candle" as their starting QB can go 3-1 in back-to-back seasons against the Eagles, though.

Good thing we have Jason Campbell

It is a good thing this Jason Candle is nowhere near as good as Jason Campbell, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to have such an impressive start to the season as last season. Phew, good thing.

[skinsfan12]

Man, that was a good read and such a disparity. I sent it on to several friends that are hyped after the recent signings...just for their take.

While the current regime is in place, we HAVE to be aggressive in FA to maintain competitiveness. That's just the way it is right now and how the foundation is glued together, like it or not. It'll take a change at the top to move away from that philosophy. Any new owner would need to declare such a shift and manage expectations accordingly.

Rather than fume and hope for change, enjoy the stellar defense and hope for an increase in QB pressure.

.

[Canadian Hog]

Great post PokerPacker!

This is what I have been clamouring for the Redskins organization to do for about three years now.

The naysayers who claim that Snyder's plan works will argue that the Caps have not won anything yet.

However, the fact of the matter is that the Caps have now laid down a foundation for long-term success.

They are going to consistently be near the top of the Eastern Conference for the next several seasons and REALISTICALLY be able to compete for a Cup.

Meanwhile, Snyder's philosophy simply puts us in a position where we scratch and claw for the fifth or sixth playoff spot, and a road Wild Card game.

Yeah, winning championships is hard. But at the end of the day, wouldn't you rather be like the Steelers and know that every year your team has a shot of going deep into the playoffs and potentially winning it all?

The foundation that Leonis has laid down in Washington puts the Caps in a position to do the exact same thing with his hockey club.

Meanwhile, Dan and Vinny keep denying the truth, and somehow think that their next free agency acquisition puts on equal footing with the likes of model franchises like the Steelers. It's a complete joke.

[Chanhillbilly]

the caps would be where they are right now even without Ovi. Its the players around him, the intensity that the coach has brought with him and the scheme as well. Remember they were last in the division last year when BB came in and went to the playoffs with the same group of guys. Before the down turn and Fantasy Hockey spending spree by Ted, the caps held the league record for most consecutive years in the playoffs. Yeah no cup and only one visit to the final but still a trip is a trip. The wheels fell off the bus when they went after the high priced free agents, and keeping overpriced older players (jagr). Now they build through the draft and add a role player here and there (Jose Theodore, Brashear etc). Their plan works naysayers. What would you rather have a team that wins most nights (40-18-5) and has something like only 5 losses at home this year, or looking at the same 3 trophies from the 80's and 91? Current scoreboard trumps 20 years ago...

[chipwhich]

Comparing building an NHL team and building an NFL team is about as dumb a comparison as you can do.

As I have stated in many threads.

Caps got Ovechkin, without him they wouldn't be nearly as good. Ovechkin ws to the Caps what Lebron James was to Cleveland. An absolute sure thing and a franchise changer.

The Caps haven't won anything. As a matter of fact, last season they were doormats of the NHL, their were calls to FIRE George McPhee, and they were UNWATCHABLE. The team was in a shambles and attendance was down. They had to FIRE their head coach and get a LIGHTS OUT Goaltender to squeak into first place by the hair of their chin.

They still have no stanley cup goaltender on their roster.

Please lets stop the comparison. It's a dumb one. Even if they did win the Stanley Cup (which they haven't even come close) you can't compare a sport where you get to build a multi-tiered farm system, and get to pull "professional" players from other countrys "professional" leagues to come right and and play in the NHL. NFL has essentially one place to pull talent. Thats the draft.

The caps have now been good for one...count it *ONE* full season. Half of last year and half of this season. Let's see a little more than one season before we make Ted Leonsis out to be king. He has been owner longer than Snyder and has dissapointed just as much (for those of you who actually paid attention before NOW).

[jflow78]

The problem with having a "rebuilding" is that in the NFL there isn't any long-term rebuilding, and that's not just with the Skins. You look around the leauge and who "rebuilds" in the old sense? You've got teams like the Lions and Dolphins who have one horrible season and then suddenly are in the playoffs the next year. On the other side you've got teams like the Saints and Bengals who look fantastic get in the playoffs and then stink for a few years afterwards, but they aren't technically rebuilding.

I just don't think I'm convinced that "rebuilding" is the way to go in the NFL, but I'm all for getting younger, which I guess could be rebuilding it just doesn't have to take as long. The Broncos have been "rebuilding" for years and they're no better for it, they've gotten the same results as the Skins basically.

[A Walton]

Comparing building an NHL team and building an NFL team is about as dumb a comparison as you can do.

As I have stated in many threads.

Caps got Ovechkin, without him they wouldn't be nearly as good. Ovechkin ws to the Caps what Lebron James was to Cleveland. An absolute sure thing and a franchise changer.

The Caps haven't won anything. As a matter of fact, last season they were doormats of the NHL, their were calls to FIRE George McPhee, and they were UNWATCHABLE. The team was in a shambles and attendance was down. They had to FIRE their head coach and get a LIGHTS OUT Goaltender to squeak into first place by the hair of their chin.

They still have no stanley cup goaltender on their roster.

Please lets stop the comparison. It's a dumb one. Even if they did win the Stanley Cup (which they haven't even come close) you can't compare a sport where you get to build a multi-tiered farm system, and get to pull "professional" players from other countrys "professional" leagues to come right and and play in the NHL. NFL has essentially one place to pull talent. Thats the draft.

The caps have now been good for one...count it *ONE* full season. Half of last year and half of this season. Let's see a little more than one season before we make Ted Leonsis out to be king. He has been owner longer than Snyder and has dissapointed just as much (for those of you who actually paid attention before NOW).

What Ted laid out can be applied to any professional team sport. Football, Baseball, Basketball or Hockey.

It reads like how to manage a sports franchise 101. So to blow it out of the water because Hockey gets players from outside of the draft is pretty weak.

[@DCGoldPants]

Ted was smart....AND got lucky.

Ovie is a once in a lifetime player.

But that doesn't discount all the other moves they've done.

Hockey and Football are so very different.

But, I do believe Ted would be a better NFL owner than Mr. Snyder.

[chipwhich]

What Ted laid out can be applied to any professional team sport. Football, Baseball, Basketball or Hockey.

It reads like how to manage a sports franchise 101. So to blow it out of the water because Hockey gets players from outside of the draft is pretty weak.

The "plan" reads like something you buy on an infomercial.

For you guys who haven't followed hockey. Pay attention to where this team was last year to start the season. A disaster. Don't you find it a little ludicrous to call Leonsis a genius now that his "rebuilt" team has played 2 half seasons at a playoff level? That's pretty silly if you ask me. I have watched the Caps for a long time. I worked at the Cap Center, and played ice hockey. I have seen many talented teams even when Abe was in charge. The Capitals have won ZIP.

Save me the generic management speak in his how to build a franchise. Show me a Championship, then I will sit and listen...all ears.

[DieHardSkins88]

You guys need to shutup with this stuff, seriously it's getting old. Why don't u just take the signings for what they were. Clearly snyder and cerratto have a plan, you guys just can't realize it. They think they have the franchise qb, so what did they do in last years draft? Get three pass catchers with huge potential. So what do they do this year? Rebuild the oline that cost us at least 3 games and get a game changing defensive tackle. If you ask me, these past 3 years have all been a part of their plan, and instead of ***** about the ownership, let it ride out and see how we do. If we go 11-5 and win the division who's gona b saying that dan snyder and cerratto are clueless?

[jthor99]

I'm tired of hearing of this Caps vs Redskins building a team comparison.

Totally an Apple and Oranges comparison.

[NavyDave]

The Caps had the worst record and was able to draft Alex the Great the following year was a lockout correct? And instead of letting the Caps draft #1 again the league tweaked it so Spittsburgh landed the much hyped Sidney Crosby which I wonder if the Caps would have taken him if they were in position to get him.

So we just need to have back to back top 3 selections in the April Draft where one in a decade can't miss players are there for us to grab and Vinny and Danny become geniuses with a fanbase understanding of the sorry seasons?

Should we start with a 1-15 season this year and dump everyone in the uncapped year if it exists?

[Fifty Gut]

one of the biggest reasons why I've embraced the Caps. the way they've built that team, they're the anti-Redskin. they basically do it the Steeler way, in hockey. beautiful. I definitely see the Caps bringing home a championship to Washington before the Skins do

[rellix]

Comparing building an NHL team and building an NFL team is about as dumb a comparison as you can do.

The only thing dumb about the comparison is your attempt to discredit it with flawed concepts.

Caps got Ovechkin, without him they wouldn't be nearly as good. Ovechkin ws to the Caps what Lebron James was to Cleveland. An absolute sure thing and a franchise changer.

Ovechkin is an amazing player, but the Caps were still terrible his first 2.25 seasons, even while he was named rookie of the year. Hockey is even more team-oriented than football. A star running back can go beyond a terrible O-line, and a Manning-esque QB can make the playoffs with the slowest WRs in the league.

A franchise changer? Absolutely, but your team can't hinge on one man playing 20-25 minutes per night.

The Caps haven't won anything. As a matter of fact, last season they were doormats of the NHL, their were calls to FIRE George McPhee, and they were UNWATCHABLE. The team was in a shambles and attendance was down. They had to FIRE their head coach and get a LIGHTS OUT Goaltender to squeak into first place by the hair of their chin.

Sorry, your statements here are comical at best. The Caps were transitioning from joke to powerhouse since 2004, and it was just a matter of time before success started to kick in. First they had to address ****ty players, which they did, but then you have a coach who had his team change beneath him without knowing how to use these players to their advantages. A young team is going to be a fast team, and he played them like geezers - if Hanlon was still in today, we wouldn't even be mentioning this article.

And Huet.. a "LIGHTS OUT Goaltender" -- give me a break. He's no Brodeur, Lundqvist, Luongo.. he doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same breath. Did he hit a hot streak (as the rest of the caps did)? Of course, but it was nothing more than that.

They still have no stanley cup goaltender on their roster.

What is a Stanley Cup Goaltender? one that can win one, or what that has? Look at Chris Osgood, who, ahem, won the Cup last year. He's become a joke. Certainly an amazing goaltender will make it easier to win, but it's not required.

That being said, look for Varlamov or Neuvirth next season up in Washington - they are the most amazing prospects in net that the Caps have had since Kolzig was drafted. After next season it will be these two (barring a trade) as an amazing duo.

Please lets stop the comparison. It's a dumb one. Even if they did win the Stanley Cup (which they haven't even come close) you can't compare a sport where you get to build a multi-tiered farm system, and get to pull "professional" players from other countrys "professional" leagues to come right and and play in the NHL. NFL has essentially one place to pull talent. Thats the draft.

I'll just clue you in: the vast majority of your draft picks are coming from Junior leagues, not professional leagues. Due to the drastically diminishing popularity of college hockey, most players hit juniors, and there is virtually no difference between this and college football.

Oh wait, that's right, you're actually scouting and drafting them at a younger age.

College football players are more developed and ready for the NFL than junior players are for the NHL. Why do you think most players stay on their junors team, or head straight for the minors after being drafted?

The caps have now been good for one...count it *ONE* full season. Half of last year and half of this season. Let's see a little more than one season before we make Ted Leonsis out to be king. He has been owner longer than Snyder and has dissapointed just as much (for those of you who actually paid attention before NOW).

I hate to break the news, but the Caps have been 'good' for some time now. (And let's clarify 'good' - they are beyond good. This team is AMAZING - they are breaking franchise records every few games.)

Its just been a matter of that final transition at the coach position. Before that, they'd be 'one step' behind. Everyone knew they were going to be a powerhouse. It was just a matter of that final piece fitting.

Could you be any more uninformed? Leonsis took over in 1999. Snyder took over in 1997. That's a two year advantage in a league that teams transition from worst to first quicker than any other, and the NHL didn't even play in 2004, which would have been Ovechkin's first real season. Maybe YOU should start paying attention before making these ridiculous claims that even have HALF an idea of how the Caps success has played out.

Oh, and just for fun, since your argument hinges on the concept that the Caps haven't been good for more than a full season:

Boudreau took over after 21 games into the season last year. 61/82 = .74 | They've played 63 games this season. 63/82 = .76

.74 + .76 = 1.5 seasons, certainly more consistency than the Redskins have ever had under Snyder.

[ttr77]

All I can say about the Skins/Caps comparison is that I canceled my Skins season tickets and upgraded to a full season for the Caps. And it's one of the better decisions I've made.

That's all I got to say about that...