Courtesy: Associated Press
Over the weekend, the Washington Capitals majoritity owner Ted Leonsis and Team President Dick Patrick addressed the media about the departure of General Manager George McPhee and Head Coach Adam Oates, and what the plans are for the future of the franchise.
“We were left with the overall impression that the team wasn’t trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup,” Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at Kettler IcePlex. “And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes.”
So what are the new changes?
There has been a lot of buzz around the league about who will be McPhee’s successor and who will replace Oates as the 4th head coach in 5 years. Whatever the decision is, the only clear first step is getting a GM in place before the draft on June 27th. From there, the new GM will most likely pick the new coach, something that Dick Patrick echoed in the news conference:
“Typically, you’d like to have a general manager in place and have him choose a coach,” Patrick said.
See? I don’t make this stuff up.
The Caps need a guy who won’t be afraid to pull the trigger if he knows it will help the team in the long run. McPhee, at times, seemed hesitant (almost like he was told not to do certain things even though he said he was the one who ‘made the decisions’). They need a fearless, go-get-em approach and still have the respect of other GM’s and players in the league. I feel as though Washington became the cancer of the NHL. A place that players didn’t want to sign because they knew the atmosphere was unstable. That needs to change.
So, who are the top candidates? It’s really hard to narrow down who the Capitals are looking at because their are a bunch of good candidates for the job of GM, but here’s a start:
Mike Gillis (former GM of the Vancouver Canucks): Gillis was relieved of his duties as GM a few weeks ago after the Canucks failed to make the playoffs and were knocked out in the first round in the two previous seasons (sound familiar?) Gillis will no doubt find a new job soon, and the Caps have to be inquiring about his services. He’s used to superstars and did a great job in Vancouver, however the whole Luongo fiasco may have tainted his rep.
Courtesy: Fox Sports
Ron Hextall (current Philadelphia Flyers Assistant GM): This is my first choice for the Caps (if I had the pleasure of chosing). Hextall made a name for himself as a front office guru during his time in L.A. as he helped the Kings mold a Stanley Cup winning team in 2012. Since, he’s returned to Philadelphia under GM Paul Holmgren and some say he’s being groomed to take over the reigns in Philly, but if Hextall is ready now, which he seems to be, could the Caps lure him away from the Flyers? He seems to be a great judge of talent and could fill the holes in the Caps lineup. Plus the fans would no doubt chant his name at every game.
Jim Rutherford (former GM of the Carolina Hurricanes): I only put RUtherford’s name in because he’s probably going to be interviewed or at least asked if he’s interested. Rutherford brought a Cup to Carolina in 2006 and is one of the more respected GM’s in the league. He had the second longest tenure as GM only behind Lou Lamoriello in New Jersey, and just in front of George McPhee. But does Rutherford even want to do this anymore?
Julien BriseBois (Assistant GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning): BriseBois is young at 37 and may not be ready for a GM position. He’s been working under Steve Yzerman, who has already made himself a solid GM by slightly re-building a tattered Lightning team and building a Gold Medal winning Team Canada. BriseBoise, however does have GM experience with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the AHL, and even had his name in the hat as potential GM of the Montreal Canadiens, with whom he was Director of Hockey Operations in 2003 and later VP of Hockey Operations. He has no pro hockey experience on the ice, but his office duties are impressive. Would Leonsis want another young GM to come in and tweak the team like McPhee did in 1997?
Jim Benning (Assistant GM of the Boston Bruins): Benning is a former NHL defenseman who got into scouting for the Ducks after his playing career. In 2006, he was hired under Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli and helped build their 2011 Stanley Cup winning team. He’s a good judge of talent and could help the Caps in not rushing talented young players, especially our defenseman. If he was helpful to the Bruins in building the team they have now, I don’t think I’d be opposed to bringing a guy like that on board.
Wayne Gretzky (former NHL superstar who re-shaped hockey for future generations): Now don’t get too excited or too upset, but Gretzky’s name is no doubt in the hat. Gretzky and Leonsis have a close relationship, not besties, but close enough that he and Leonsis were buddy-buddy in Teddy’s private suite during a game this year. Gretzky has been hinting towards a return to the NHL in some fashion, and many believe he wants a GM position. Toronto fans, I’m sure, are hoping new Team President Brendan Shanahan makes the call, but some people are thinking that, because of his little visit to the nation’s Capitol, The Great One could be at the helm of Washington’s front office. If that is the case, and he actually is being considered, I’m not sure I’d want him here. Judging by his past failures with Team Canana and the Phoenix Coyotes, does Gretzky actually know how form a good team? He has a hockey IQ like no one else, but can that translate into making a good hockey team that can compete for a Stanley Cup for the next 8-10 years?
There are a few other candidates that I’ve heard, but these are, so far, the most I’ve heard about. My vote is still with Hextall for the time being, and with the Flyers still alive in the post season, I’m guessing he wouldn’t be available for interview until they’re eliminated. If Hextall were to come aboard, would he hire former Flyers bench boss Peter Laviolette as Head Coach? Or what about former Predators coach Barry Trotz? I’ll have more about coaches in a little bit. Right now, my fingers hurt, and now my back is going to hurt because I just pulled land scaping duty.
More to come…
