Speculation: Who should be the new GM of the Washington Capitals?

[BobRouse]

It will be interesting to see how people who made excuses for GMGM and accused fans of wanting the team to fail will handle this change. This team has had the same GM for longer than most current message boards have been around. Some people are going to have to change their tunes and start rooting for whoever the new guy is or, by their own logic, be seen as rooting for failure.

It would be just as interesting to see how people who hated on the team (GM, Ted, Patrick, Stan Wong etc) will handle the change as well.

I don't think its a slam dunk you (for example) will instantly love the new GM.

What if he turns out great? Awesome. Goon is RIGHT!!! YAY!!

What if he turns out horrible? TED SUCKS for hiring the WRONG guy! Goon is RIGHT!! YAY!!

Either way goon (just using you as an example...can insert a bunch of others on here too) wins!

Fact is I forsee guys like TX and I supporting the team no matter what. Thats what we've been doing all along anyhow. Isn't that what makes us such blind homers in the first place???

 

[g00n]

we have some posters here that only post when there is something negative or snarky to be said. you cant deny that. those people are not suddenly going to be pro team. some of them well just continue down the same road as they wont approve of the new hires and go back to the hate immediately after the announcement.

you know I am right.

as for me....I am critical of them. as for you....you are skeptical of me? really? shock.

so...other than questioning leonsis role in the mess that was last season and the oates era
what have I said that is negative team? you seem to be wanting me to rah rah something that hasn't happened while what I have been doing mostly is saying people should wait to see what happens before they start pitching the doom. so...I am not sure why you are after me on this

Well, you're not right but let's forget about the reasons for skepticism about this Cup-less organazation and pretend you are, and address your perception of constant, baseless negativity...

Message boards are the equivalent of customer service or a suggestion box. Any business will tell you 99% of that kind of feedback is going to be the result of some kind of observation about what can be IMPROVED or needs to be changed, not something "positive". There's no time or inclination to constantly give positive feedback when things go as they should. People just move on to the next thing, as time and society tend to demand. So only the negative gets mentioned, and to people who are sensitive to such things it stands out.

That's human nature. The sooner you accept that the better you'll feel about what you read online.

 

[g00n]

It would be just as interesting to see how people who hated on the team (GM, Ted, Patrick, Stan Wong etc) will handle the change as well.

I don't think its a slam dunk you (for example) will instantly love the new GM.

What if he turns out great? Awesome. Goon is RIGHT!!! YAY!!

What if he turns out horrible? TED SUCKS for hiring the WRONG guy! Goon is RIGHT!! YAY!!

Either way goon (just using you as an example...can insert a bunch of others on here too) wins!

Fact is I forsee guys like TX and I supporting the team no matter what. Thats what we've been doing all along anyhow. Isn't that what makes us such blind homers in the first place???

Well that's the issue, isn't it? The concept that blind homerism is somehow morally better than everything else.

If you never tolerate "negativity" then you're always right, aren't you? If the new GM stinks, you "win" for defending the previous regime. If the new GM is good you "win" because you can credit ownership for making the right move at the right time, and everyone who lacked faith in the Caps organization was just being a negative nelly.

Here's the difference between the two sides: the "negative" people value the same thing as expressed by the format and reward structure of the league itself: WINNING and PRODUCTION.

Sugarcoating performance that falls short is not consistent with the ultimate goals and values built into the league itself. So when you jump on the latest bandwagon for the sake of homerism, and start excusing or explaining things in a context that values "positivity" over winning and production, don't be surprised if people who align their values with the league itself don't really care to hear it.

What you and TX see as faithlessness and negativity, we see as being realistic and goal oriented. What you see as fickle lack of loyalty we see as setting standards that require flexibility in approach. What you see as support, we see as shaking pom-poms and leading cheers.

 

[Alicat]

I hope Sweeney, if hired, doesn't bring Bruins' goonery with him.

And that doesn't mean I want to see a soft team. You can be soft but goon team, and you can be tough but fair and respectful and clean.

Bruins fan here.

If Sweens goes to Washington get ready for players to be held accountable on and off the ice.

Alex Ovechkin and others are in for a rude awakening. Sweeney is brutally honest and does not like bs and excuse making.

 

[txpd]

blind homerism?? laughing.

My position is that I don't know everything. that tempers my opinions because sometimes if you stand on a soap box and blast a guy for hiring a coach, you find out that he didn't really hire the coach. sometimes you can consistently rip a player for playing other than you expect him to only to find out he was doing what the coach was telling him to do.

I hope they win. If they don't, I am not the first guy to throw somebody under the bus because I am not confident that I am throwing the right guy under the wheels and I don't need to vent to feel better about myself.

I have already read a couple times in this current line of thinking that you don't respect nor pay any attention to anything I would say. So, why get so jacked up over it? I am discredited and don't know anything. Block me or ignore me.

As soon as the Caps hire somebody there will be a nice group of people opposed that that hire for you to engage.

Lastly, I am not complaining about anything right now. You are at me as if I am not supporting....something when I should because supporting McPhee discredits me. I am still trying to figure what it is that I am against that you are for?

edit: which bandwagon was I on?

 

[Atlas]

Bruins fan here.

If Sweens goes to Washington get ready for players to be held accountable on and off the ice.

Alex Ovechkin and others are in for a rude awakening. Sweeney is brutally honest and does not like bs and excuse making.

Sweeney sounds like my kinda guy. But our owner Ted Leonsis doesn't connect with men like that so I doubt it'll happen.

 

[PucktotheHead]

edit: which bandwagon was I on?

You know.....that one.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Why people have the idea that Ovechkin wouldn't be able to handle accountability, I have no idea. There's no player in the league that's held more accountable for his team's performance by the media.

 

[IafrateOvie34]

Bruins fan here.

If Sweens goes to Washington get ready for players to be held accountable on and off the ice.

Alex Ovechkin and others are in for a rude awakening. Sweeney is brutally honest and does not like bs and excuse making.

I like this. Good bye Green!

 

[PucktotheHead]

Why people have the idea that Ovechkin wouldn't be able to handle accountability, I have no idea. There's no player in the league that's held more accountable for his team's performance by the media.

Because people don't think for themselves. They listen to people like Milbury and assume he's right and parrot that on forums like this to make themselves sound intelligent.

I think.

 

[fedfed]

Why people have the idea that Ovechkin wouldn't be able to handle accountability, I have no idea. There's no player in the league that's held more accountable for his team's performance by the media.

"Sidney Crosby: Wears jersey number 87, signifying his year of birth.
Alexander Ovechkin: Wears jersey number 8, signifying the number of goals he needs to score in any given game before he won't automatically be blamed if the Capitals lose."

 

[ChibiPooky]

"Sidney Crosby: Wears jersey number 87, signifying his year of birth.
Alexander Ovechkin: Wears jersey number 8, signifying the number of goals he needs to score in any given game before he won't automatically be blamed if the Capitals lose."

"Ovechkin's leadership called into question after Caps score 8 goals and still lose"

 

[RockDaRed]

"Ovechkin confirms beliefs that the former star is washed up and past his prime by failing to score 10 goals in a game. Details at 11 on the has been.

 

[g00n]

blind homerism?? laughing.

My position is that I don't know everything. that tempers my opinions because sometimes if you stand on a soap box and blast a guy for hiring a coach, you find out that he didn't really hire the coach. sometimes you can consistently rip a player for playing other than you expect him to only to find out he was doing what the coach was telling him to do.

I hope they win. If they don't, I am not the first guy to throw somebody under the bus because I am not confident that I am throwing the right guy under the wheels and I don't need to vent to feel better about myself.

I have already read a couple times in this current line of thinking that you don't respect nor pay any attention to anything I would say. So, why get so jacked up over it? I am discredited and don't know anything. Block me or ignore me.

As soon as the Caps hire somebody there will be a nice group of people opposed that that hire for you to engage.

Lastly, I am not complaining about anything right now. You are at me as if I am not supporting....something when I should because supporting McPhee discredits me. I am still trying to figure what it is that I am against that you are for?

edit: which bandwagon was I on?

I'm not even going to try and untangle this knot you keep adding to. Just going to say that not every single word in a post is about you, or needs to be challenged and defined.

 

[Ridley Simon]

didn't see it. what dod you ask me for?

scroll up man

 

[txpd]

scroll up man

I have and didn't see it. so I asked. all you had to do was ask your question again.

 

[txpd]

lol, you are just itching to throw this in peoples faces. Stop being such a George apologist, Tex (or a poop disturber, whichever it is)

The team needed a new leader. Under the old one, they werent going to win the Cup. 17 freaking years was enough time.

Pro Sports isnt a marriage. Its not forever. Caps needed to make a change. Whatever the answer is DOES NOT mean they should have kept George. The goal isnt to be 10th out of 30th each and every year. Its to be first. Caps couldnt make final 4 under George, so they needed to make a change.

If it gets worse, it gets worse. In the end, they werent going to win with George, so they needed to change.

Dont you get that? Seems like not at all--

is this what you are referring to? don't you get that I don't take as a question you expected an answer to as you answered it yourself.

where did I say they should have kept George? there's one for you.

as for being an apologist. where? as for being a poop distributor, its not me saying the that caps have already screwed it up. that they will hire the wrong guy. that they will hire the wrong coach before they hire a gm. that they will hire gretzky that will kill things. that's not me.

yea...some of those people were the greatest haters of McPhee. some thought they would feel better when McPhee got burned. so, McPhee has been burned and they are just as unhappy.
not me.

 

[SpringfieldSkins]

Why people have the idea that Ovechkin wouldn't be able to handle accountability, I have no idea. There's no player in the league that's held more accountable for his team's performance by the media.

I don't know if he will be able to handle accountability or not but this team has been through 4 coaches and now a GM with him on the team. Sounds like everyone is being held accountable BUT Ovechkin to me.

 

[ChibiPooky]

When the phrase "poop distributor" has been used, the conversation has officially jumped the shark.

 

[Sam Spade]

I don't know if he will be able to handle accountability or not but this team has been through 4 coaches and now a GM with him on the team. Sounds like everyone is being held accountable BUT Ovechkin to me.

They should trade him to L.A., that will show him.

 

[ryan519*]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...gm--can-this-please-be-a-thing-153749512.html

wow

 

[LifetimeUFA]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-p...gm--can-this-please-be-a-thing-153749512.html

wow

Please God let that happen

 

[ForzaItalia]

Speaking of the Penguins, after megaagent Pat Brisson turned down Pittsburgh’s overtures to fill the GM void, the search continues. There’s a list of six or seven candidates in play, as of Wednesday, and two of the names on that list are Tampa Bay assistant GM Julien BriseBois and Chicago Blackhawks assistant GM Norm Maciver. Don’t have a feel yet for who’s the front-runner but those are two of the guys who will get a look at the very least.

Despite repeated reports linking Wayne Gretzky to Washington, it doesn’t sound as though The Great One and the Capitals are a match at this point. Whether it’s for president of hockey operations or another high-end executive job, at this hour, it doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Which is too bad, because No. 99 in that kind of role would be a great asset. The Maple Leafs talked to Gretzky about a similar role last summer but talks didn’t produce a deal. That job went to Brendan Shanahan last month.

Sticking with the Caps, one industry source (not a Caps source) believed Wednesday that Washington will most likely reach out to fired Penguins GM Ray Shero at some point. It’s believed Paul Fenton (Preds assistant GM) and Don Sweeney (Bruins assistant GM) are among other candidates in the mix for the GM job.

Link

 

[Devil Dancer]

Wyz is just throwing up speculation to generate page hits at this point. Did the same thing earlier today with the Caps.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

I don't know if he will be able to handle accountability or not but this team has been through 4 coaches and now a GM with him on the team. Sounds like everyone is being held accountable BUT Ovechkin to me.

That's quite a load of *********, Mr. Milbury.