• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Washington Capitals

“Unleash the Fury” Used to Mean Something For the Washington Capitals

By George Foussekis December 3rd, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Give the Fans Something To Cheer About, Caps

There was once a time where “Unleash the Fury” meant something in Washington.  It is a battle cry – it gives the Capitals fans and the Verizon Center life.  No matter the circumstances, “Unleash the Fury” always used to fire up the Capitals players.  Verizon Center used to be one of the toughest buildings in the NHL to play in because it was very loud and the Capitals used to play with passion on their home ice.  Verizon Center ice used to provide the Capitals a “home ice advantage.”

The video still plays and fans still chant “Unleash the Fury” to the Capitals today.  However, it seems that the Capitals have nothing to give that they can unleash.

There is no fury, passion, fire, and intensity that comes out of the Capitals locker room anymore.  The attitude is sour – “when we mistakes during games, let’s get down on ourselves and not fight back.”

Where is the leadership for the Washington Capitals?  Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin are still the top producers on the score sheets every night.  But who leads by example when the Capitals do make the same repeated mistakes in games?

Have players like Troy Brouwer, Jason Chimera, Eric Fehr, Brooks Laich, and Jay Beagle made any impactful plays on the ice this year?  They will usually contribute a goal every once in a while and then they will be invisible for the next 20-25 games.  They are on the roster to help out with the Capitals secondary scoring.  This inconsistency that these players bring needs to be taken into account by Capitals management.

Changes Need to Happen

The Washington Capitals need a roster overhaul.  The players who lack passion that do not contribute frequently need to be shipped out.  Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom need a supporting cast that is willing to play hard every night, that is willing to battle every shift.

Barry Trotz lays down the hammer: ‘We’re not as good as we think we are’ http://t.co/elxylMZdiV#CapitalsTalk

— Chuck Gormley (@ChuckGormleyCSN) December 4, 2014

Barry Trotz is a fair honest hockey coach.  He has been around a while and knows the business inside and out.  His latest quote on the Capitals is quite disturbing and alarming.  It can be interpreted in a couple of different ways.

First, Trotz is trying to send a message to his players that  they need to play better in games.  Through the first quarter of the season, the Capitals are 10-10-4.  They are a .500 hockey club and they have certainly played like one in the past few outings.  Amazingly, the Capitals are only a couple of points shy of a playoff position.

Second, Trotz could also be sending a message to Capitals management that the roster needs a change.  Let’s face it – does anyone believe that the Capitals can win with what they have right now?  I do not believe anyone feels that way about the Capitals.  Trotz sees that the roster needs a makeover, and it is probably better that it happens sooner rather than later.

Stop Accepting Mediocrity, Start Demanding Greatness

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

(Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports)

The Washington Capitals have carried a bad club identity for the past few years.  This “country club atmosphere” where it is okay to be mediocre needs to be tossed out of the window.

The Capitals fans are a passionate bunch.  They expect their club to do well under stars Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.  When the team plays with no intensity and no heart, it is a slap in the face to the fans.

The Capitals players need to have a mentality reset.  They need to realize that hockey games are not 20-30 minutes long.  No NHL club can have success if the players only play for half of the game.  The difference between mediocrity and greatness is defined on how well a team plays and if they give 110% effort.  In order to win and have success in the NHL, 60-minute efforts are a requirement.  Each team gets 82 chances to prove that they are great.

“Unleash the Fury” needs to mean something in the Capitals locker room.  It is something that the Capitals fans have not given up on.  The Washington Capitals need to give their fans something to believe in.  It is hard for a fan of any sports team to accept mediocrity.  “Unleash the Fury” used to resemble something great.  Now, it has become nothing more than a flash in the pan.

Play with heart, play with passion, play with intensity.  Give the Capitals fans something to cheer about.  Laziness and little work ethic will only provide the fans disgruntlement.

Thanks for tuning in!

  • Tags
  • Alex Ovechkin
  • Brooks Laich
  • Jason Chimera
  • Nicklas Backstrom
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 24th 6:15 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Find Success Against Red Wings

Jan 24th 6:10 PM
Column

Canadiens’ News & Rumours: Hot Start, Armia, Mete & More

Jan 24th 6:00 PM
Column

Senators News & Rumours: Road Trip, Lineups, Stützle & More

Jan 24th 5:50 PM
Other Leagues

Windsor Spitfires’ Notebook: NHL Players to Watch & Overseas Ice

Jan 24th 3:25 PM
Montreal Canadiens

3 Takeaways From Canadiens’ 5-2 Win Over Canucks

Jan 24th 3:15 PM
Montreal Canadiens

Prospects News & Rumors: Michigan, Gushchin & Gordin

Jan 24th 3:05 PM
New York Rangers

Rangers News & Rumors: Chytil, Dubois Traded, Lafreniere & More

Jan 24th 2:55 PM
Buffalo Sabres

Sabres Getting the Best of Curtis Lazar

Jan 24th 2:05 PM
New Jersey Devils

Devils Are in Good Hands With Jack Hughes

Jan 24th 1:35 PM
San Jose Sharks

Sharks Seeing Offense From Erik Karlsson But Defense Is Lacking

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Wayne Gretzky Almost Joined the Detroit Red Wings

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information