Shatten-Kirk-Cousins
Can the disparity between Washington’s big market teams grow any larger?
Since 2011, both teams have offered their fair share of optimism and disappointment — often mirroring each other with flashes of promise and early departures from the post-season. Recent headlines, however, show that the teams are accelerating in opposite directions.
Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan pushed his chips into the pot late on Monday as he traded prospects and draft picks (including a 2017 first-round selection) to the Blues and won the Kevin Shattenkirk sweepstakes. The Capitals are fully aware of the value of a first round selection — they have been starting up to six former first round picks among their forwards alone this year. He does so knowing that a significant portion of the team’s core is approaching free agency this summer. And he also does so, presumably, with the full support of team ownership and the Arlington front office. The Capitals face a closing window of opportunity and executed a mid-season trade which provided another weapon for a post-season run.
The Redskins, on the other hand, are resembling the Kremlin of the late 1980’s as they stumble towards the NFL Combine and NFL Draft. A fan-favorite alumnus of the team, employed by the team owner’s radio station (The Ministry of Communications, perhaps?) wondered on-air if GM Scot McCloughan’s recent radio silence was the result of an alcohol relapse. McCloughan, known best for player evaluation, has remained absent from the most important player evaluation event of the year. And team executives who work with McCloughan have been painfully evasive when asked about the situation. In this case, the absence of team support for McCloughan is worse than his alleged transgression.
As the saying goes, past performance is no indication of future results. The Capitals could have another early playoff departure in store, despite their well-rounded effort this year. And the Redskins, if the stars align, may be successful in fighting their front office demons and may put a winning product back on the field. The only evidence available, however, suggests that the two organizations will be heading in opposite directions in 2017.
