Convention Convalescing

What is that a photo of — some kind of make-your-own-tshirt stand?

Are we really better than that, though, Pepper? Looking at the majority of the Capitals fanbase, I’d say I can’t have expected much more than that. We rink rats make up a solid 1% of the total base, I’d say, and there isn’t a whole lot of intelligent commentary outside of these walls.

From commenters, that is.

I think the Caps did a disservice to both Daly and their fans by scheduling that panel so late in the day. It was a long, long day, and from people I’ve talked to, comments posted in the Caps Con post, and my own experience, it seems that most of us hit a wall (and our stomachs were demanding to be fed!) right around 6pm.

That said, the Caps have their fair share of self-important whacko fans. I hate the Penguins, too, and I’m of the feeling that the NHL just adores them perhaps a bit too much, but you don’t see me putting on the tin foil hat in public. They ask supremely dumb questions. They take every opportunity to puff themselves up and use big word and complex sentences in a pathetic effort of make themselves sound smart and intelligent. Mostly, its just cringe-inducing for the rest of us.

According to Puck Daddy, Mr. Daly’s session overlapped with a photo session with #8, so the attendance doesn’t surprise me if that is true.

I wasn’t able to attend the event, but I have to agree, that line of questioning is worthless. You (the fans asking such questions) may still be bitter about last season—I know I am, but no use living in the past, or asking questions that Mr. Daly is never even going to acknowledge publicly.

Blame the men who are really at fault … the refs. (hehe).

Oh, and of course the NHL is going to market Sidney and the Pens!!! Why wouldn’t they?

If you don’t think that the Caps and Ovechkin are being marketed by the league as well then you’re really not seeing it for what it really is.

I would of asked him about Sidney Crosby’s suggested league wide mandate to limit the amount of hats that can be thrown on the ice when someone gets a hat trick vs. the Penguins….

I’ll add to Pepper’s observations by noting that there was one recurring theme in nearly every session (and really obvious in the sessions on the main stage) that really got on my nerves – paranoia about the Pittsbugh Penguins. Mostly from fans but mentioned once or twice by Caps personnel as well.

I kind of understand why there’s this deep soul-crushing fear, but honestly, the Caps this year are a tremendously good team on the cusp of being great. The only real difference between them and the Pens last year was the Pens’ ability to force and then win two critical Game Sevens – in other team’s buildings. That took some stones, and also the ability to believe in themselves at a real elemental level (and possibly a couple of key trades). Last year, we blinked. This year, we musn’t. And won’t.

Plus I’m of the opinion that Philly is going to be a much bigger problem for the Cappies, much sooner in the season, and throughout the playoffs.

Don’t get caught up in the Penguins-hate, CapsNation!

Did not attend but not surprised at the questions given some of the questions that I have heard asked at the STH chalk talks last year, the STH conference call this year, and comments in the post game dial in show..

I to was in the State of the NHL pannel room and i compleatly agree that it was embarrassing as a long time Caps fan. Although the issues with the Coyotes and the CBA were touched upon, most of the questions were bassically about how the NHL loves the Pens and hates the Caps. A good number of them were just blurted out as if these people were at a press confrence. I and a few others there had our hands raised for most of the session, not to be called upon. The rudeness and lack of class by a few all but ruined what could have been an informative discussion. The rest of the day was everything I expected. A great time talking hockey with hockey fans. Everyone with the Caps was open and friendly. I found a lot of Caps fans that were well informed about other teams and League issues. If only they were there for Daly’s pannel. sigh!