was fired with one sea

WASHINGTON -- General manager George McPhee and coach Adam Oates lost their jobs with the Washington Capitals on Saturday, about two weeks after the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Custom New York Rangers Jersey . "We were left with the overall impression that the team wasnt trending toward being able to compete for a Stanley Cup," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said in a news conference at the clubs arena. "And that was just a clear signal and why it was time to make those changes." McPhees contract was up and the team announced it will not give him a new one after his 17 years as the GM, which included drafting Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom in the first round. Oates was fired with one season left on his three-year deal. A former star player for the Capitals, he was in his first job as an NHL head coach. Washington finished this season with the ninth-most points in the Eastern Conference, one spot out of a playoff berth. "You have to do something to pivot the team to be an ongoing strong team," Leonsis said. "And I just felt that new leadership at this time was needed, and lets start it with a clean slate." Asked whether any player would be untouchable as part of upcoming changes -- a chance, perhaps, for Leonsis to mention captain and top scorer Ovechkin -- the owner replied: "Im not the general manager. So If the general manager comes with something, we would listen to the general manager." Ovechkin has won three league MVP awards and again led the NHL in scoring this season with 51 goals, but the Capitals havent made it past the second round of the playoffs during the Russian wings career. Dick Patrick, the president of the Capitals, said the team already has drawn up a list of potential GM candidates. "Typically, youd like to have a general manager in place and have him choose a coach," Patrick said. The Capitals reached the Stanley Cup finals in 1998, McPhees first year on the job, and were swept by the Detroit Red Wings. Later, McPhee oversaw a "rebuild" ordered by Leonsis, including jettisoning top players with big contracts such as Jaromir Jagr. "Lets not forget that rebuilding process was dramatic. And I watched a great executive go through really, really hard times and really rebuild that team quickly. We just didnt get there," Leonsis said. "At some point, you just have to try something different." While McPhee eventually built a young roster filled with offensive stars, he never placed as much emphasis on constructing a rugged, defensive-minded blue line crop. He hired a succession of coaches with zero previous NHL experience running a team, including Glen Hanlon, Bruce Boudreau, Dale Hunter and Oates. Led by Ovechkin, the Capitals produced terrific regular-season results for a half-dozen seasons, without similar success in the post-season. Four years ago, Washington won the Presidents Trophy for having the most points during the season, then lost in the first round of the playoffs to the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens. Leonsis called McPhee, who built seven division-winning teams, "a talented man, a great friend," but that it was time for "a fresh set of eyes." The Capitals went 65-48-17 under Oates in his two seasons. In a brief statement released via the team, Oates called it "a tremendous honour to coach the Capitals these past two seasons" and said he was "grateful for the opportunity." In his first season in charge, which was shortened because of a labour dispute, Washington reached the playoffs with a late surge before losing in the first round to the New York Rangers in seven games. "We were a continuously improving playoff team until we werent. And the last two seasons showed us that we need to improve. And thats what it came down to," Leonsis said. "Dick and I said, We have to make that gut check. Do we have to change? And where do you start? And you start with the coach and the general manager." Lundqvist Jersey . FC Porto will meet Sevilla in a matchup between two former winners, while 2013 runner-up Benfica will take on AZ Alkmaar and FC Basel will play Valencia. Juventus was the team everyone wanted to avoid in Fridays draw, with Antonio Contes side currently 14 points clear in Serie A and likely to retain its Italian title with some ease. Rick Nash Jersey . "The acquisition of Dale Weise contributed to the success of our team this season. A young veteran with a lot of character, Dale is an intense player with a strong work ethic.BARCELONA, Spain - Celta Vigo earned an entertaining 1-0 win at Levante, to end a two-game losing run. Forward Manuel "Nolito" Agudo scored from a well-orchestrated counterattack in the 19th for what proved to be the winner before both goalkeepers made several saves. Goalie Keylor Navas stretched his leg to block Nolitos powerful volley seconds before Levante forward Victor Casadesus dribbled through two defenders and was fouled by Jonathan Castro in the area. But David Barral fired the spot kick off the bar in the 61st before Celta goalie Yoel Rodriguez denied him what looked to be a sure goal by smothering a short-range effort on the line. The loss was Levantes first in seven home games. Both teams stayed in the middle of the standings. Rayo Vallecano striker Joaquin Larrivey scored two goals to help beat Almeria 3-1 on Saturday, provisionally lifting the minnow clear of the Spanish leagues relegation zone with a third consecutive victory. Rayo added the connvincing victory to consecutive wins over Valencia and Real Sociedad as it revives its chances of staying in the top flight. Mats Zuccarello Jersey. Forward Alberto Bueno headed Rayo in front in the 38th minute at Vallecas Stadium, and Iago Falque dribbled by a defender and picked out Larrivey to tap in his cross in the 57th. After substitute Fernando Soriano pulled one back for Almeria in the 72nd, Larrivey started and finished a flowing series of one-touch passes to net his fourth goal in the last three games in the 78th. Rayo rose three points above danger. Almeria was left in the drop zone along with Valladolid and Real Betis before they play on Sunday. "We deserved this win," said Larrivey, who credited his teams turnaround on its recent change in "mentality." "Its important to keep winning points to make sure we stay up," said Larrivey. Later, leader Real Madrid visits Malaga before nearest chaser Atletico Madrid hosts Espanyol. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys from china ' ' '