For the Washington Capitals, a big challenge going into next season will be to put this year’s massive playoff disappointment behind them and get properly motivated for another shot at the Stanley Cup.
Just two days after his team’s elimination, Justin Williams was already trying to get psyched up, and he’s using the Caps’ many “naysayers” for fuel.
“Listen, it was a failure,” the veteran winger said, per CSN Washington.
But he added, “I’m certainly not going to say that we can’t do it because we can, and sometimes you want people against you because then you have something united to work for, and we’re going to prove you wrong and tell all the naysayers right now that are saying that we can’t get it done, ‘Bring it on.’”
Williams, 34, is signed through next season, after which he can become an unrestricted free agent, meaning it’s possible he may only have one more chance with the Caps.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush,” he said. “I came here to try to help this team win and I didn’t do it. ... So I consider it a failure from that aspect, but a positive that I know this team can do it.”