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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. "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." Brandon Fusco Jersey . And I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences gained through International competition and the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Seven NHL referees and six linesmen will be assigned upcoming games in Sochi by the IIHF as part of their 28-man officiating roster comprised of 14 refs and 14 linesmen. Justin Bethel Jersey .C. - Canadian ice dancing, it seems, is in good hands. http://www.falconsauthenticofficialonlin...jersey.html.com) - The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to every challenge during their 14-game winning streak and will face another daunting task Friday with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town. Deadrin Senat Jersey . 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Its always tough to get a win here.Jonas Gray scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter after New England intercepted Geno Smith, and Vince Wilfork tipped Nick Folks 52-yard field goal attempt with just over 5 minutes left.Brady threw a 3-yard TD pass to Rob Gronkowski for the Patriots (12-3), who could earn home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs if Denver loses to Cincinnati on Monday night.Right now, were focused on our last game, wide receiver Danny Amendola said. Well kind of assess the situation as we go.New England plays at home against Buffalo next week, then gets to rest for the opening round of the playoffs. The Patriots five consecutive seasons of first-round byes is the longest streak since the current playoff format began in 1990.This win, though, didnt come easy.With the Jets (3-12) leading 13-10 late in the third quarter, Geno Smiths pass for Jace Amaro hung in the air for an easy interception for Jamie Collins — which led to Grays score minutes later.Yeah, he underthrew it, Jets coach Rex Ryan said in what could have been his last home game with the team. Poor throw. That was a big play on their part.So was Wilforks tip of Folks long attempt that could have given New York a lead.It was reminiscent of the teams first meeting, when Chris Jones blocked Folks 58-yard try on the final play of New Englands 27-25 win at Gillette Stadium in October.Brady and the Patriots were then able to run out the clock for the win.Its unfortunate, Ryan said. I really thought it was going to be our day.Here are a few things to know about the Patriots win over the Jets:REXS LAST STAND?: Ryans future with the team is uncertain as his sixth season winds down.New York will miss the post-season for the fourth straight year, and Ryan and general manager John Idzik have come underr heavy criticism by fans who have urged owner Woody Johnson to make changes.dddddddddddd Several waved yellow penalty towels at MetLife Stadium with the words Fire Idzik! printed in green.Its tough because through this all, hes been the rock, right guard Willie Colon said of Ryan. I honestly want to win for him, more than anybody.SO-SO BRADY: It wasnt a vintage performance by Brady, by any means, but he got the job done — as usual — against the Jets.Brady finished 23 of 35 for 182 yards and was sacked four times, a modest showing while playing without wide receiver Julian Edelman (concussion) and running back LeGarrette Blount (shoulder). He still improved to 20-5 in the regular season — 21-6 overall — as a starter against the Patriots AFC East rivals.They always play us pretty hard, Brady said. We got their best today.REVIS RETURNS: Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis played against his former team for the first time at MetLife Stadium since signing with New England, and it was a mostly quiet return — except for the fans booing him when he made one of his four tackles.Revis spoke briefly to Ryan, his former coach, after the game.I just told him after the game, good luck, good to see him, and that was it, Revis said. I was just showing him my respect for him coaching me in the past.INJURIES: Jets centre Nick Mangold injured his left ankle in the second quarter and was carted off the field.He said he had X-rays, which revealed no break, but was scheduled for additional tests Monday.New York also played without wide receiver Percy Harvin in the second half after he injured a rib.PAYING RESPECTS: Mangold wore a black NYPD cap while walking into MetLife Stadium off the team bus in honour of Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu, who were murdered in Brooklyn on Saturday, and held it to his heart during the singing of the national anthem. The team also observed a 10-second moment of silence before the game.Jets defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson, recently critical of law enforcement in the Ferguson, Missouri, incident, spoke out in support of the officers.Some innocent blood was spilled, Richardson said. Im not with that at all. Thats the message that Im trying to get across. 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