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." Wholesale Jerseys . Sweeting scored two in the first and three in the second before Strong (4-4) got two back in the fourth. Sweeting then scored three in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh to grab a commanding 9-2 lead. Cheap Jerseys . Paul, MN (SportsNetwork.James Anderson expects to be back in action for England during their five-Test series against India in November and December. The 34-year-old has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series in Bangladesh because of his persistent shoulder injury.However, he remains confident he will be fit to play some part against India following his latest medical consultation. The first Test gets under way in Rajkot on November 9, with the final day of the fifth Test scheduled for Chennai on December 20. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. I really want to get on the plane so I can meet the guys when they get to India at the start of November, Anderson told the Daily Mail.That is realistic. Ive seen specialists, and they were on a similar wavelength. Stuart Broad wants to force his way back into Englands one day side so he can play at a home World Cup in 2019 Anderson acknowledges Englands lack of tour fixtures before the first Test - they will effectively warm up in the Bangladesh series - is a potential issue for him. But he said, I definitely hope to play some part. Im making good progress. Its a bit of trial and error when I start bowling again to see if I can cope with it, but it feels good and is going in the right direction.dddddddddddd Stand-in one-day captain Jos Buttler hit a match-winning innings of 80 not out to give England a winning start on their tour of Bangladesh The issue for the selectors is that theres no cricket around that Test series, so its not as if I can get overs under my belt.But I dont think I need much cricket. Its not as if Ive been out for six months. I wont be that rusty. Anderson has taken 463 Test wickets for England With an all-time national record 463 Test wickets to his name, Anderson is hoping there are plenty more ahead - including in next winters Ashes.If I can get the shoulder sorted, every other part of me feels great, he said. I feel as fit as Ive ever been, and Im still targeting Australia next winter.You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Woakes: Conditions tough Broad desperate for ODI call Buttler stars in win England fixtures/results ' ' '