Confirmed with Link: George McPhee Hired as General Manager.

[strungout]

Ross Mahoney (current assistant GM in DC) was the director of amateur scouting under McPhee...drafting turned around for the Caps under his tenure. I'd would expect he'd target some of the guys under Mahoney now for higher positions.

 

[HanSolo]

They need to get a good European scout/'s for sure. Swedes, Finns, and Russians are making noise lately.

 

[BattleBorn]

They need to get a good European scout for sure. Swedes, Finns, and Russians are making noise lately.

Apparently Craven has had guys all over Europe for the last year. They're going to hit the ground running.

 

[jwhouk]

Because he made one of the worst trades of the salary cap era, trading Filip Forsberg for Martin ****ing Erat. Also, did nothing to address obvious holes in the Caps top 4 defensively during their window with Boudreau.

On the plus side, David Poile will be very happy to help your team in future trading situations...

 

[HanSolo]

Apparently Craven has had guys all over Europe for the last year. They're going to hit the ground running.

Awesome.

Well he's not my first choice (apparently I was damn close) but having an experienced NHL GM behind the helm makes this feel all the more real. Very exciting stuff. Even if I have no idea who they are I hope we get updates on scout hires and other staff.

 

[psowrc]

fine with the choice. Cup winner - no. But has experience at building a great team in Washington. Lets face it, playoffs and the Cup are far away...give the reins to a guy who is known among the other GM's, has respect in the NHL and will not screw this team over.

 

[BattleBorn]

fine with the choice. Cup winner - no. But has experience at building a great team in Washington. Lets face it, playoffs and the Cup are far away...give the reins to a guy who is known among the other GM's, has respect in the NHL and will not screw this team over.

We'll see. They're going to be pushing for playoff berths and success really quickly. Hopefully McPhee and not only build a good foundation, but get that core to the playoffs in the first few years.

I think the cup expectation has moved back to year 8 from what I've heard, but there's going to be an expectation of winning coming from the top.

 

[HanSolo]

We'll see. They're going to be pushing for playoff berths and success really quickly. Hopefully McPhee and not only build a good foundation, but get that core to the playoffs in the first few years.

I think the cup expectation has moved back to year 8 from what I've heard, but there's going to be an expectation of winning coming from the top.

I definitely heard someone in the audience asking about the 8 year window to McPhee in reference to that being Foley's expectation.

My only concern regarding this win now attitude is that I fear it may lead to some reckless and shortsighted moves that may hurt the franchise.

 

[BattleBorn]

I definitely heard someone in the audience asking about the 8 year window to McPhee in reference to that being Foley's expectation.

My only concern regarding this win now attitude is that I fear it may lead to some reckless and shortsighted moves that may hurt the franchise.

I'm guessing there's going to be some of that. I think going all out for wins early isn't necessarily a bad thing. We're due some cruddy expansion years just being an expansion, ours just might come seven years from now.

 

[Jonas1235]

George said on Primetime Sports that he wants to hire 2-3 scouts in the next week so that they have people to do amateur scouting.

 

[jwhouk]

Just remember, every time he has a pained expression on his face after looking at his phone, it's because Caller ID says it's a 615 area code number.

 

[Bart9349]

Everyone on this thread knows more about George McPhee than I.

That said, inheriting a team, firing coaching staff, making trades of established players, and working with predecessors' mistakes and salary cap is one thing.

Starting a new franchise is another thing.

During his interview heard on NHLNetwork, McPhee seemed aware of the unique situation of a new team. Owner Bill Foley seems to be willing to defer to McPhee on hockey decisions.

McPhee mentioned Pittsburgh's speed, but also the need of a good supporting AHL team as shown by Pittsburgh. "Attack hockey" seems to be a key.

Murray Craven, former NHLer and now a Montana rancher like Foley, was mentioned. Possible president? Coach?
.
Foley mentioned the possibility of an AHL affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The possible team name was also discussed. Problems of trademark were noted. Also, a gambling name will be avoided.

Woow.

 

[HanSolo]

Everyone on this thread knows more about George McPhee than I.

That said, inheriting a team, firing coaching staff, making trades of established players, and working with predecessors' mistakes and salary cap is one thing.

Starting a new franchise is another thing.

During his interview with NHLNetwork, McPhee seemed aware of the unique situation of a new team. Owner Bill Foley seems to be willing to defer to McPhee on hockey decisions.

McPhee mentioned Pittsburgh's speed, but also the need of a good supporting AHL team as shown by Pittsburgh. "Attack hockey" seems to be a key.

Murray Craven, former NHLer and now a Montana rancher like Foley, was mentioned. Possible president? Coach?
.
Foley mentioned the possibility of an AHL affiliate in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The team name was also mentioned. Problems of trademark were noted. Also, a gambling name will be avoided.

Woow.

Idk about all that. Maybe Assistant GM or adviser or something like that.

 

[Paralyzer]

Oilers trade Graham McPhee to Las Vegas for Immunity to the Expansion Draft. Deal?

Congrats Las Vegas. Glad they got a team. Now gives me a VERY good excuse to go to Vegas

 

[HanSolo]

Oilers trade Graham McPhee to Las Vegas for Immunity to the Expansion Draft. Deal?

Congrats Las Vegas. Glad they got a team. Now gives me a VERY good excuse to go to Vegas

No immunity for you!

Hope you enjoy yourself when you come down mate -

 

[Paralyzer]

No immunity for you!

Hope you enjoy yourself when you come down mate -

Hey, can't blame us for trying right?

 

[sxvnert]

Knowing Don Maloney was the other option hurts. Take him on as an advisor/assistant GM please McPhee. For the love of your new fan base, don't let him go.

Would hire Maloney as VP and GM. Its a management team nowadays anyway.

 

[HanSolo]

Hey, can't blame us for trying right?

Oh of course not. I'm hoping the pool is so awesome for Vegas that they don't take anyone good from Anaheim

 

[Brew]

Would hire Maloney as VP and GM. Its a management team nowadays anyway.

I'm really hoping Las Vegas can do what Toronto has done. Put some solid foundation with management that has a clue.

 

[JA]

George McPhee's teams have always had one star player with high marketability. As an assistant in Vancouver, he had Pavel Bure. In Washington, he had Peter Bondra, Jaromir Jagr, and then Alex Ovechkin.

Expect George to try to acquire a star forward by some means. He'll make sure that the team has a very marketable player.

 

[HanSolo]

Or he could draft one.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

Longtime Caps fan, new Las Vegas fan. I was a big critic of GMGM at the end. He was in too deep, lost perspective and exacerbate it all by letting some really talented guys walk for nothing and making the horrible trade that won't be named.

He's a savvy businessman, a lawyer, an ex-player, he's put in his time under some good hockey men. As long as LV ownership commits to standing up a solid scouting staff/organization like McPhee was able to assemble in DC, I suspect within 5 years max, he's got LV fighting for a playoff spot. Maybe as early as 3 if he gets lucky with a draft selection or two.

LV could do a lot worse IMO. Give him a chance. I think first thing at the draft you'll see some savvy show through with his moves.

 

[BattleBorn]

Here's a few media responses to the hiring of McPhee via VegasIsHockey.com

https://www.vegasishockey.com/news-detail?recordNum=114

 

[BobRouse]

Clearly a polarizing GM for Caps fans. But here is a gem from the past giving you insight on McPhee:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPcap/1999-09/27/004r-092799-idx.html

 

[Capsman]

Watch Nashville play to understand what an idiot McPhee is. Like anyone with the slightest bit of hockey knowledge and decent scouts he will take advantage of your high draft picks. He will never build you into a legitimate contender and God help you when he gets into panic mode. Hope your owner stops him before it's too late.