Summary: ---by Tom Block @tomcblock Packed crowds every day this week at Kettler could not compare to what the Verizon Center held this evening as the Washington Capitals officially kicked of their season in style with fan appreciation night. With a lower bowl that was just about filled and a concourse that was always packed with fans getting food, drinks, and face painting, you could feel the fans excited to see the team back on the ice. The team went through a variety of drills that aren't much different than what's run at Kettler, but it didn't matter. Fans got to watch some hard checks on the boards, shifty puck moves, and a squad that desperately wants to show it's ready to make a run for the Stanley Cup now under new Head Coach Adam Oates. They also got to hear from some of the players like Alex Ovechkin who said his favorite player was Dale Hunter (insert laugh track), Joel Ward about his Baltimore Ravens, and Troy Brouwer dancing "Gangem Style." Before all that took place, Washington Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis met with reporters for the first time since the lockout ended (and really since June). Below are some of the questions that were asked with the full audio below. On what he thought of the CBA deal "I am thrilled with the deal. There was a lot of give and take on both sides. I'm very apologetic we lost the games but I'm not apologetic that we had to get a new system that was good for everyone and I think we achieved that" On the satisfaction on what he was able to contribute in the negotiations "But its mostly sitting at a table and listening and if I said 500 words in the 50 sessions total I attended that would be a exaggeration..... I'm not a hardliner. I wanted a 50-50 deal." On the end result and it helping the franchise "I have never made a penny of profit since owning the Washington Capitals. The system will help us get to break even. I hope to continue to grow the franchise and I hope we have a better TV deal." What did he learn about the lockout as an owner and a person "Say no when they ask you to be at the negotiating table. The business side of owning a team is really of no interest and should be hidden from the fans. Fans don't care about it and shouldn't care about it. Fans only care about the team, the experience, and can you win a championship." His thoughts on letting NHL players go to the Olympics "It's a player league. If the union and the players really want to go to the Olympics, we should let them. It's great for the league but the players should drive that. It was never brought up during the negotiations. If Alex wants to go to the Olympics, I'll be honest I'm going to let him go." In the audio Ted mentions how psyched Alex Ovechkin is with Adam Oates. He better be busting his tail this season because time is not on his side. It was great to hear how much work ethic Alex has put in so far in this shorten training camp and that he mentions how healthy Mike Green is. You've got a lot of components that have been with the squad for many years along side with some new pieces. Caps fans are in need of seeing a deeper run in the playoffs and it has to happen this season. After the press conference audio with Ted, enjoy the audio from Joel Ward and Tom Poti after the practice concluded. The audio can also be found on iTunes and Stitcher Radio search Eyes Radio Network
