Five for Fighting - Chat with Mike

Welcome back to Five For Fighting with Kevin Bieksa. Today I'll be interviwing the GM of the Washington Capitals, Mike Jones. Mike, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to be here today and talk everything Capitals.

Kevin: Mike, first off tell us a little about yourself.

Mike: 39, from Flint, MI (No the water crisis wasn't as bad as the media made it out to be). Booze Specialist, & Dog Dad

Kevin: Have you played hockey before or coached in any capacity?

Mike:  Played roller hockey growing up, but nothing past age 13/14.  Played some high level club/travel soccer growing up.

Kevin: Who is your favourite NHL Hockey team and why?

Mike: Detroit Red Wings, growing up in the 90's, Yzerman, Lindstrom, the Russian 5, Original 6 Franchise.

Kevin: Any other sport(s) that you follow?

Mike: Love college sports, Season ticket holder for Michigan State Football, Basketball, and Hockey, along with the Flint Firebirds in the OHL and Flint City Bucks in USL2.   Pay attention to everything minus the NBA.

Kevin: What goals and expectations did you have entering the season?

Mike:  We just wanted to play the youngsters and finish in the bottom 3 for better odds in the lottery.   Instead the kids performed, we finished with the 8th worst record and some how won the Bedard Lottery. 

Kevin: What's your first priority concerning your team?

Mike:  We will be looking to spend some money in FA/draft picks to find a #1 in between the pipes.   Need some consistency in the net.

Kevin: Any surprises as per your team good or bad?

Mike: We love our youth, led by Lucas Raymond and Brock Faber, really excited about our future.

Kevin: Where do you see your team in 3 years?

Mike: We think we will be a playoff team next year, and in 3 years hopefully challenging for a conference title.

Kevin: What's your take on the RSHL draft? I understand this will be your first.

Mike: This is my 3rd or 4th now.   We took over a flawed Captials roster a few years ago and have been on the rebuild since.   Love the draft, love being active at the draft, we move up and down a ton in the draft, always looking to move up for a guy on our list or move down for future assets.

Kevin: How about the RSHL free agency system?

Mike:  It's tough to do much in FA, so many people bidding on just a couple useful bodies.   We don't mind it, but after 2 seasons we learned building through the draft would be the key to success for us.

Kevin: Reverse arbitration? Are we using it in a realistic fashion? Or does make it too easy for player retention long term?

Mike: I like the way its built and set up. 

Kevin: Who do you think will make the Stanley Cup Final and who will be our next RSHL champion?

Mike: Rooting for a new team to win the cup.

Kevin: Who is your favorite player past or present?

Mike: Pavel Datsyuk, just a wizard with the puck.

Kevin: Name two things about the RSHL that you love?

Mike: I love logging in as fast as I can when I get a terrible trade offer to reject it instantly.   Also seems like a real good group of guys committed to the long term of the league.

Kevin: Name two things about the RSHL you would change if you could?

Mike: I think there should be a limit to awful trades a person can send out.   (They know who they are)

Kevin: Any out of the box ideas that you have that you believe would help benefit the league as a whole?

Mike:  Can't say that I do at the moment.

Kevin: Any shouts outs to the league?

Mike: Tyler from St. Louis from bringing me into the league a few seasons ago, other than that just happy to be here.

Kevin: Ok thank you Mike for taking the time to speak to us today. It's really appreciated.

There you have it folks, the GM of the Washington Capitals, Mike Jones. Up next hopefully will be the GM of the Hartford Whalers, Robbie Morton.

Until the next time, be good or you'll be joining me in the box for Five For Fighting.

Kevin Bieksa