Its a swap of one former Washington Capitals player for another at head coach. Adam Oates, who spent six seasons as a player for the Capitals, will be named the new head coach of the Capitals, according to a tweet by TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger.
About to take off for Chicago. Hearing Adam Oates new head coach in Wash.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) June 26, 2012
Dreger's TSN colleague Bob McKenzie confirmed that tweet, saying that a formal announcement would come later Tuesday afternoon.
WSH will make formal announcement in about 30 minutes that Adam Oates is the new coach of the Capitals. Just as @DarrenDreger reported.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 26, 2012
McKenzie added that Oates had been one of the three finalists for the position, along with former Blackhawks assistant coach Mike Haviland and AHL head coach Jon Cooper.
Oates has spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the New Jersey Devils after spending one season as an assistant with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Oates had interviewed for the position more than one time so it was apparent that he was a strong favorite to return to Washington as a head coach.
The hope is that Oates will continue with defensive improvement and maybe add a bit more offensive excitement this season.
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