"We thank Adam for his devotion, worth ethic and contributions to the Capitals the past two seasons," Leonsis said in a written
statement. "This is an important time for our organization, and I feel a change is needed in order to get us back to being a top echelon team that competes for the Stanley Cup."
Washington finished the 2013-14 NHL season at 38-30-14 and their 90 points were 3 behind the Detroit Red Wings in the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Oates, 51, was an assistant coach with Tampa and New Jersey before being given the reigns in Washington.
He played
19 seasons in the NHL for 7 clubs (Detroit, St. Louis Blues, Boston Bruins, Washington, Philadelphia Flyers, Anaheim Ducks and Edmonton Oilers.)
McPhee, 55, has lead the hockey club
since 1997, taken them to the Stanley Cup final in his first season as GM (they were swept by Detroit; Oates was a leader on the team that season). The team won 7 Southeast Division championships with McPhee and had 8 seasons of 40 or more wins, racking up 121 points in 2009-10.
There have been playoff failures, however, and despite having superstar Alex Ovechkin they've been unable to get back to the final. No word on the fate of the rest of the Capitals coaching staff or who might replace the departed Oates and McPhee.
