Speculation: Has Adam Oates Been Fired Yet????

[Corby78]

Remember there are questions about GMGM's plans and fate. He's not going to fire the coach in the last few games after missing the playoffs and then go around the league with his hat in his hand saying "I did a good job, it was THAT guy's fault" and get away with it. And no other team in the league is going to like the optics of such a situation or want such a thing happening in their locker room. So it isn't happening here, imo.

As for the Caps, firing Oates isn't enough. GMGM has to go. He's the one who's responsible for the coach AND the players, and year after year he's failed to fit the two pieces together. Oates would be yet another coach GMGM has hired that did not know what to do with the players given to him, and with whom GMGM did not seem to vet thoroughly enough regarding style and plans vs. personnel.

There is no way you want this GM hiring another coach when all he seems to do is fall in love with a good interview or the idea of what kind of an organizational fit there is historically. He has had some kind of connection with every coach he's hired, I believe, and they've all been rookies. Then he seems to step back and lob players at them and they do their thing. Later on he says it wasn't what he expected.

Well WHY NOT? Isn't it your JOB to hire guys who will enact your organizational plan? Isn't it your job to monitor the progress and communicate expectations? How is it you keep acquiring what you say are top 6 players only to have them end up on the 4th line? Why do key players keep getting scratched or asking for trades?

Firing Oates likely only changes the name on the door. GMGM has to be shown the door first, or else the next coach will be yet another barely vetted rookie with connections to GMGM that becomes a scapegoat when it all falls apart in April.

I agree with this. But gmgm isn't the only guy who can fire Oates. And if Ted is serious, and knows he is retooling his staff, then pull the trigger.

 

[swimmer77]

I'd like to see Oates go no matter what. He may learn some things and actually become a good coach some day. But who knows how far down the road that may be if in fact ever. Maybe he should switch to baseball where handedness makes more sense and little creativity is required.

As for GMGM - although on the surface he seemingly is responsible for hiring the coaches, I can't help to think it's become a marketing thing (hire a former Caps) to Ted akin to Montreal restricting themselves to bilingual coaches.

It just seems really odd to me that GMGM possesses a very decent track record when it comes roster building but then has failed so miserably with the coaches. But maybe it is just that way. He just seems too smart to work that way. However, the marketing guy (Ted) may have different motives.

IDK

 

[g00n]

I agree with this. But gmgm isn't the only guy who can fire Oates. And if Ted is serious, and knows he is retooling his staff, then pull the trigger.

I've elaborated more in other threads but the summary of my thinking is Ted and GMGM are allowing for multiple possibilities this offseason. Ted may not even know if GMGM is coming back, and GMGM may not know, either. But regardless they're likely to avoid risking the image of their brand (or GMGM's job prospects) with any kind of ugliness, especially since they're only 2 years removed from a coach quitting on them just a few months following the firing of a popular coach who is now back on top of the league ELSEWHERE.

So I don't think there's any way Ted breaks character and unwritten league protocol and steps over his GM to fire a coach with 1 or 2 games left in the season. There's nothing to gain from it and it will just mean more bad press and scrutiny toward Ted and GMGM, who may end up signing another contract together for all we know.

They'll cite injuries, bad bounces, a few points here and there they should have had, maybe blame goaltending again, etc etc excuses excuses. They'll say they're not going to listen to the howling voices who want blood, and they'll tell us they're going to review the metrics and their options, and then make the best decisions for the organization blah blah blah.

I think the GMGM era and/or Oates eras probably end with a whimper rather than a bang, unless for some horrible reason both are retained next year and we have another mid-season firing.

 

[SimplySensational]

Desjardins is interesting.

Last place Texas Stars to 2 years winning the western conference, they were high scoring, he got them to play defense and score more.

 

[JenniferH]

I've been on the Oates-Must-Go wagon since our 7-losing-streak at the top of this year and nothing since then has changed my mind. I can't see how anything--even if by some miracle we manage to sneak into the Playoffs--can keep him on beyond this season. Right? He's got to be gone? RIGHT?!?!

As for another coach, the only name I'm familiar with that I've heard is available is Laviolette. So, OK, he's not Adam Oates (or Torts), sounds good to me.

 

[BobRouse]

No head coach of any team I've ever followed has provoked my ire more than this putz.

Not Wittman, not Lee Mazilli, not Dave Tremblay, not even Bruce Cassidy.

So true NBTW.

Even Cassidy had some sense....I remember he benched Calle and lots of fans were upset about that but in that playoff series Johansson was awful and the younger legs were still better. It wasn't a horrendous decision and there was a case to be made for it.

Cassidy did more with less than Oates is doing.

Oates:

Don't block shots.

Skate thru defenders and get hit.

Chip and chase. Green/Orlov/Carlson..don't rush the puck!

Whatever you do don't try to clear the crease and move out screeners!

Handedness rule to death!

If you're a center you will play left wing.

Play passive in our own zone...collapse..but don't block shots or move opponents!

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

I'm sure this has been mentioned somewhere, but am I right that the Caps could officially be eliminated tomorrow night with a regulation loss, a Detroit point, and a Columbus win?

 

[g00n]

I'm sure this has been mentioned somewhere, but am I right that the Caps could officially be eliminated tomorrow night with a regulation loss, a Detroit point, and a Columbus win?

Yes, tomorrow night's the soonest elimination horizon because of the win vs NYI. It could have been last night if not for that win.

 

[NobodyBeatsTheWiz]

Yes, tomorrow night's the soonest elimination horizon because of the win vs NYI. It could have been last night if not for that win.

Well with the Caps on the road against the team with the 2nd best home record in the league, the Wings playing the worst team in the league, and Columbus at home against a fringe playoff team that's lost 4 in a row, I'd say it's reasonably likely to happen.

 

[strungout]

Well with the Caps on the road against the team with the 2nd best home record in the league, the Wings playing the worst team in the league, and Columbus at home against a fringe playoff team that's lost 4 in a row, I'd say it's reasonably likely to happen.

 

[Calicaps]

Well with the Caps on the road against the team with the 2nd best home record in the league, the Wings playing the worst team in the league, and Columbus at home against a fringe playoff team that's lost 4 in a row, I'd say it's reasonably likely to happen.

Let's get it over with. Here's hoping that the 2013-14 Caps are put out of their misery as soon as possible and we hear about the departure of GMGM and Oates very soon thereafter.

 

[dillyboy93]

Well well wellll
Hope_Smoke ‏@Hope_Smoke 2h
Dreger "I think McPhee is just as likely to go as Oates. Could see full scale change in WSH"

DistrictSports Caps ‏@CapitalsDSP 39s
If Canadian media folks are already speculating on McPhee's landing place does that means it's a fait accompli? #Caps

 

[Blades of Steel]

Well well wellll
Hope_Smoke ‏@Hope_Smoke 2h
Dreger "I think McPhee is just as likely to go as Oates. Could see full scale change in WSH"

DistrictSports Caps ‏@CapitalsDSP 39s
If Canadian media folks are already speculating on McPhee's landing place does that means it's a fait accompli? #Caps

 

[msrulo]

Since when does Ted have some common sense implanted in him?

 

[BobRouse]

Oates has been epic in his suck this year. Kolzig and Calle too. Kolzig for messing with Holtby and Calle for being a brainless noob.

Give him credit for a nifty power play I guess but thats about all the good I can think of.

Players are lost and say so in the media. He calls out his best player and throws him under the bus. Impossibly stupid roster decisions and playing nearly every player out of position. The list is long and can go on and on.

In a way I feel bad for McPhee. This roster is playoff caliber. Maybe not true contender calibre but much much better than it has shown.

http://www.japersrink.com/2014/4/4/5580080/fire-adam-oates-or-george-mcphee

 

[Efactor]

As of the Caps Casino Night, someone in the know told me Ted was done with GMGM but wanted to keep Oates if possible. I doubt it is since new GM selection would drop to nothing if trying to handcuff them with your existing coach. So, I figure you could bet they are both gone.

The scary part is that Ted wanted to keep Oates as of a few weeks ago.

Our biggest problem as Caps fans may likely be the guy at the top.

 

[BobRouse]

As of the Caps Casino Night, someone in the know told me Ted was done with GMGM but wanted to keep Oates if possible. I doubt it is since new GM selection would drop to nothing if trying to handcuff them with your existing coach. So, I figure you could bet they are both gone.

The scary part is that Ted wanted to keep Oates as of a few weeks ago.

Our biggest problem as Caps fans may likely be the guy at the top.

I call shenanigans. The Caps are notoriously close to the vest in these situations and with the latest developments there is no way you can keep Oates anyhow. The team has quit on him and everyone knows it.

Backstrom and Ovechkin were reunited on Friday against New Jersey. It may be too late for the Capitals and for Oates. “Looks like they’ve quit on their coach,” said a rival team executive.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/04/05/blackhawks-fail-rally-around-jonathan-toews-injury/oGCMwDr76nlixUtjKbK5QM/story.html

I think we all see that is the case. After Oates publically threw Ovie under the bus there is no sane situation where he stays aboard and Ted knows this.

Both Oates and GMGM will be let go after the season ends and I forsee it happening pretty quickly to send a message to the fans that this is not acceptable.

 

[swimmer77]

Seriously.............

When Oates comments about loss then says "but Caps/we played the right way" what does that mean?

 

[BobRouse]

Seriously.............

When Oates comments about loss then says "but Caps/we played the right way" what does that mean?

That means we followed his stupid system I'm sure. The guy's ego is out of control

 

[Liberati0n*]

Seriously.............

When Oates comments about loss then says "but Caps/we played the right way" what does that mean?

That he has one sort of redeeming quality. The focus should always be on the process, and not results. Oates' idea of what the process is just sucks.

 

[Brian23]

I'm really curious where Oates decided it was okay to start throwing stones at Ovi and the rest of the team. He had preached having his players back for so long and I was actually worried they were still all in on him, I guess calling out the Captain and not keeping things in house turned them sour? Or maybe he's not giving them direction and just telling them to "system harder!" and it'll all work out?

 

[Liberati0n*]

telling them to "system harder!"

Oates' version of "outwerk 'em." Just ****ing system harder.

 

[g00n]

As of the Caps Casino Night, someone in the know told me Ted was done with GMGM but wanted to keep Oates if possible. I doubt it is since new GM selection would drop to nothing if trying to handcuff them with your existing coach. So, I figure you could bet they are both gone.

The scary part is that Ted wanted to keep Oates as of a few weeks ago.

Our biggest problem as Caps fans may likely be the guy at the top.

Well to Ted's credit there's another possible explanation if what you say is true. If GMGM is already planning on leaving and both Ted and GMGM know this then Ted can afford to let slip that GMGM is done with no effect to GMGM's job performance. But Oates can't be allowed to hear about any of it while there's still a season to manage, because the prospect of a new GM could affect his perception of his place in the organization. He needs to keep coaching as if nothing above him is changing.

 

[CapitalsCupReality]

I'm really curious where Oates decided it was okay to start throwing stones at Ovi and the rest of the team. He had preached having his players back for so long and I was actually worried they were still all in on him, I guess calling out the Captain and not keeping things in house turned them sour? Or maybe he's not giving them direction and just telling them to "system harder!" and it'll all work out?

It's called desperation. We saw it from Bruce too...

I think it's clear that this roster at times can make anyone lose their mind.....

 

[txpd]

That he has one sort of redeeming quality. The focus should always be on the process, and not results. Oates' idea of what the process is just sucks.

so, you don't subscribe to the, "Just win, Baby", theory?