I was talking to a hockey fan last night at the bar, and the Ovechkin signing came up. He said he felt the Caps wouldn’t be able to sign him, because there just wasn’t enough of a draw in DC for hockey. He felt that the Capitals couldn’t market hockey, and wouldn’t be able to hang on to Alex.
Boy, was he wrong. 13 years at $124 Million.
13 at $124M
Really.
If there is someone who can grab headlines, it’s Ted Leonsis. The guy knows how to market, he knows how to make headlines, and I think he did just that today. Aside from being the longest, most expensive contract in NHL history, it proves that the Capitals are committed to winning and improving the team. To keep Alex O around for the long term, and do nothing with him, would be insane. While the contract will eat up a ton of cap space every year, the being able to plug in a variety of players around him will make the signing important. At the same time, it puts more focus on developing your farm system, and making sure you have inexpensive younger players ready to step up to the big leagues. And you can kiss and free agency splashes goodbye for a while.
But the question has to be asked, are the Caps able to look over their shoulders, and see the possibility of a Jagr type scenario? To say the Caps are still paying the price for that deal is more than precise. The Caps put the future of the team in the hands of Ovechkin today, and they are hopefully prepared for the possibilities. Mind you, the character of Alex Ovechkin has been nothing but stellar. The man has been great for the team, the league, and the sport, He does plenty of promotional work for the Capitals, building the sport in the DC area. So while I don’t see any problems to come, the question has to be asked.
It’s nice to see all the rumor mongers proven wrong. The Capitals talked the signing talk, and then they walked the walk. Hell, they sprinted for miles.
Here’s some video of the anouncement by Leonsis at the Capitals season ticket holder bash. Thanks to Japers’ Rink for putting it up first:
He’s a tricky one, that Ted. The Caps are probably selling a ton of season tickets right now.
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