Adam Oates

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**FILE** Andre Burakovsky, a winger, stands with Washington Capitals scouting director Ross Mahoney (left) and coach Adam Oates (right) after being chosen 23rd overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft, Sunday, June 30, 2013, in Newark, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

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Washington Capitals president Dick Patrick discusses the firing of coach Adam Oates and the non-renewal of the contract of general manager George McPhee, after the Capitals failed to make the NHL hockey playoffs for the first time since 2007, during a news conference in Washington on Saturday April 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

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FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates stands in the bench area in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Washington. Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis and president Dick Patrick announced Saturday, April 26, 2014, that the Capitals will not renew the contract of vice president and general manager George McPhee and have relieved head coach Oates of his duties. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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FILE - In this April 11, 2014, file photo, Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates stands in the bench area in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Chicago Blackhawks in Washington. Capitals majority owner Ted Leonsis and president Dick Patrick announced Saturday, April 26, 2014, that the Capitals will not renew the contract of vice president and general manager George McPhee and have relieved head coach Oates of his duties. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates stands in the bench in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Los Angeles Kings, Tuesday, March 25, 2014, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Washington Capitals head coach Adam Oates, top, watches his team from the bench during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild in St. Paul, Minn., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

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Capitals coach Adam Oates kept his team in the locker room prior to Tuesday's season opener in Chicago as Jonathan Toews (right) and the Blackhawks got to celebrate once again with the Stanely Cup they won against the Bruins in June. (associated press)

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Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8), left, talks with Washington Capitals Head Adam Oates, center, during morning practice at Washington Capitals Training Camp at Kettler Capitals Iceplex, Arlington, Va., Monday, September 16, 2013. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)