The Capitals were swept out of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round. That came one year after Washington lost in the first round.
However Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis doesn’t worry the team has a small window to win a championship.
“Last year the underreported story of our team was how many young players joined our team,” Leonsis said Wednesday in a speech at the National Press Club. “We probably took steps back because we brought in so many young players.”
“They’re not even in their prime,” Leonsis said of the young core. “The team will make the playoffs—as I promised—10 to 15 years in a row. That’s what I believe.”
Bruce Boudreau’s job status was a hot topic after the most recent playoff exit, but the team didn’t making a coaching change. Boudreau is 189-79-39 in four seasons, but Washington has failed to advance beyond the conference semifinals.
“Analytically our coach has a fantastic record, I think the best record in the NHL during the regular season during his tenure,” Leonsis said. “That’s a pretty strong statement. At the same time, our team hasn’t gone deep enough into the playoffs.”
“We have to look as a franchise, as the protector of the asset, would we be better off as a franchise changing a player, firing the coach. It’s not an emotional reaction. It just can’t be done. Through the analytics, we thought it’s better to keep the team and the franchise and continuity together and see how we do this year.”
At the end of his speech, the NPC gave the Capitals owner a coffee mug as a token of appreciation.
“Not exactly the cup I was expecting,” Leonsis joked.
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