Capitals owner Leonsis cites playoff struggles for firing of coach Oates, GM McPhee
Washington Capitals owner Ted Leonsis held a press conference to address the firing of head coach Adam Oates and long-time general manager George McPhee.
According to Leonsis, the Capitals, who missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, weren't heading in the right direction.
"We were left with the overall impression the team wasn't trending towards a Stanley Cup," Leonsis said.
4th head coach of the team in four years:"I think that I am not very proud of that and that is a real issue." - Leonsis @washcaps
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5newsdc) April 26, 2014
We are not doing this for Ovechkin or the organization we want to win a cup. - Leonsis @washcaps
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5newsdc) April 26, 2014
Leonsis on @washcaps firings: "You cannot win the Stanley Cup if you do not make it to the playoffs."
— FOX 5 DC (@fox5newsdc) April 26, 2014
The Capitals struggled in their only season under Oates, posting a 38-30-14 record while finishing fifth in the Metropolitan division.