Bondra all but handed it to the Caps and they still didn't want him. Oh well, I wish him luck in Atlanta:
The Thrashers agreed in principle to a deal with right wing Peter Bondra Monday to a one-year contract with incentives worth more than $3 million.
Fred and I disagree on this one; I think the Caps desperately needed Bondra to bring more fans around, not to mention having another experienced guy on the team (especially since Witt still wants to get the hell out of D.C.), but Fred thinks the Caps are better off without an aging winger.
At least Caps' training camp started today (with Witt reaffirming his desire to leave- jackass). Fred attended and took lots of pics, some of which I hope to post later.
7 comments:
I can't figure out what its going to cost for season tickets! Argh. It just doesn't make sense to me!
I am a budding hockey fan, so I don't want to spend a fortune, but what a great way to see so many games.
Any suggestions on seating plans? Realistic cost, please.
Once I get to the games, I will tell you how I feel about Bondra and friends.
The way that you put it, it sounds like Bondra wanted to stay in Washington. After I see what Atlanta gave him, it looks like he wanted out of here. He just wanted to look like the good guy and the Caps look bad. He is getting $500,000 as a base salary. The Caps offered 1.5 million. The difference is the bonuses. Bondra can get up to 2.9 total if Atlanta wins the Cup. If he doesn't meet all goals or gets hurt he gets the minimum. If he wants the opportunity to win a Cup elsewhere. That is his choice. I don't think that Atlanta will do it. But if they do they will have to destroy the Caps. So I may be in the minority, but I will be looking for a bad year for Bondra and the Thrashers. I like Bondra, but not in that uniform. The only way it could be worse is if he went to Fitsburg.
As for the necessity for tickets sales. Die hard fans that love hockey and Bondra will still go see hockey. We went before Bondra we will go after. He is not a draw to bring in the casual fans. He could walk downtown with his Jersey and NOBODY would know who he was. This town does not care. The only way the casual fans will watch is if they win. Ovechkin is the draw of the future. If he plays as well as he looks in practice we will have to fight to keep my season tickets.
I'll miss Witt too, but I think you're being a little harsh on him. He's getting older (at least in hockey years) and if he wants to make a run for a Cup, DC isn't the place to be this, next year, for who knows how many years. He's being upfront by telling them he wants a trade....but I do believe that he'll play 100% no matter where he is. Maybe that's naive...but I'm just glad SOMEONE (besides me as I walk my non-hockey playing ass down the street) will be wearing a Caps jersey this winter.
Jenny, have you been talking to my husband? :-)
Sure, I guess it's better that Witt's honest about it, and I can't blame him for wanting to play for a winning team (let's be honest here). As Fred explained to me this morning, Witt will play hard in D.C. because he wants to improve his chances of going elsewhere. But really, how likely is it that a Cup contender is going to pick him up? Or that a so-called Cup contender is going to make it that far? The hockey world has been turned upside down with many of the great players scattering all over the place, and the traditional hockey powers (Detroit, Colorado, New Jersey, etc.) don't necessarily have all of their oomph anymore. Then again, the roster changes could really inject some energy into them...or into some teams that one wouldn't necessarily expect to see in the playoffs or finals.
Hey, I'm just happy that hockey is back and Fred can stop moping (about the lack of hockey, anyway; I'll never hear the end of Crosby being in Pittsburgh).
That does suck though...(well for us here in DC) Crosby, a Penguin? Ouch.
What do you think of Jeff Halpern?
Such a good guy from what I have seen. I hope he has a fantastic year!! He is so loyal to the caps.
chicgirl- Halpie is fabu. His team loyalty does not go unnoticed, that's for sure! He seems like he'd be a great role model in the locker room- hard worker, good player, nice guy. He's one of my favorites.
Post a Comment