Saturday, October 26

GM Brian MacLellan lands promotion from Capitals in entrance workplace reshuffle

The Washington Capitals missed the playoffs final season, however their normal supervisor is getting a promotion. 

Brian MacLellan obtained a brand new title — president of hockey operations — as a part of a collection of strikes to the crew’s entrance workplace, the Capitals introduced Monday. Along with MacLellan, the crew stated former president Dick Patrick moved into the function of “chairman of the Capitals” and named his son, Chris Patrick, as assistant normal supervisor. 

Though the Capitals underachieved this previous yr, MacLellan nonetheless has a robust monitor document of main the franchise and people accomplishments seemingly performed a job in Washington’s determination to provide him a brand new contract. MacLellan, who’s getting into his twenty third season with the membership and his tenth as normal supervisor, was the architect of the Capitals’ 2018 Stanley Cup-winning crew. The Capitals even have the third-most wins within the NHL throughout MacLellan’s tenure because the crew’s lead decision-maker. MacLellan was reportedly set to enter the ultimate yr of his contract, so the chief’s new deal supplies stability forward of the approaching yr. Terms of MacLellan’s contract weren’t supplied. 



After a disappointing marketing campaign for Washington, MacLellan is tasked with discovering methods to have the Capitals contend in star Alex Ovechkin’s ultimate years. The Russian’s contract doesn’t expire till 2026, and Ovechkin has expressed a need for the Capitals to stay aggressive whereas he chases Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring document. The Capitals haven’t superior previous the primary spherical of the playoffs since profitable the Stanley Cup.

“Our goal is to remain competitive,” MacLellan stated earlier this month. “I think it’s a tricky balance, but we’ll see if we can pull it off. I think it’s important for Ovi, for all our veteran guys that we remain competitive, give them a chance to compete. And it’s important for our organization to add young players, to develop young players. So far, I think we’ve done a pretty decent job at it, and we’ll see what it’s like going forward.”

This offseason, the Capitals employed Spencer Carbery to be their subsequent head coach within the wake of Peter Laviolette agreeing to half methods with the franchise. Carberry, 41, is a first-time head coach on the NHL degree, however he has been a well-regarded assistant and has led the Capitals’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

Elsewhere, the Capitals moved Dick Patrick into a brand new function as a part of a transition to the 76-year-old’s eventual retirement. Dick Patrick, a minority proprietor within the franchise, has been with the Capitals since 1982. He was beforehand the Capitals’ president and vice chairman. 

Chris Patrick, in the meantime, has been with the Capitals for the final 16 years. The 47-year-old beforehand oversaw the Capitals’ scouting workers and labored carefully with the Bears. Patrick’s promotion comes months after the Hershey Bears gained the Calder Cup — the AHL’s model of the Stanley Cup. 

Training camp begins Sept. 20. Beyond Carbery’s hiring, the Capitals have had a principally quiet offseason. Earlier this month, the crew prolonged winger Tom Wilson by giving him a seven-year, 45.5 million contract. MacLellan has stated the Capitals would additionally prefer to improve their high six forwards, however have been unable to discover a appropriate commerce. 

Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com