Already didn't renew mine from last season, and I'm glad i didn't. Went to one game this year and it just so happened to be the other night vs the yotes.
I am in the same boat. Didn't renew my ST last March. Ted or the Caps said a month ago that last season that got 95% ST renewals. That is complete hogwash. I knew many people who did not renew for 2013-14, and other people who did renew said many of their friends and other ST holders they knew didn't renew last season. All of you have to do is look at the stands on games against teams that don't have large local followings, and what you see is 3,000 empty seats in the lower bowl and the club level - heck the club level isn't even half full except against the good teams or the teams, like the Pens or Wings, whose local fans snap up the available tixs.
One difference with this season's renewal compared to last season: The renewal form makes it appear that you can't get your same seats for the playoffs unless you check one of the renewal boxes on the form. There is no box to check for "Not renewing." It's only a renewal form. You just don't submit the form. Then, a Caps account rep calls you and asks if you made a mistake in failing to submit your renewal form. When he did, I griped about that since I had season tixs for the whole season, I was entitled to get playoff tixs to my seats, and he admitted that I was. But the renewal form is deceptive in suggesting that if you don't submit the "renewal" form, you are also not getting playoff tixs.
The difference this year compared to last, is last season at the time of renewal it was apparent that the Caps were making the playoffs, and so the appearance of losing out on getting playoff tixs on the renewal form may have compelled a lot of people on the fence to renew again. With the Caps' chance to get into the playoffs this year not looking very good, that factor of losing out on playoff tixs will likely not sway many people.
Apparently though some STs this season are only renewing because they are guaranteed their tixs to the Winter Classic here. I am not going to question their decision, but I would not renew a whole season simply to guarantee my seats for the Winter Classic. That's a lot of money to assure going to one game. Believe me, non STs holders will be able to get tixs to the Winter Classic. There will be many more seats available, and so what if you pay a little more for one game. Much cheaper than buying a whole season of tickets.