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ARLINGTON, Va. -- Of all the subjects raised with George McPhee at his on-the-way-out news conference after being told hes done as the Washington Capitals general manager, the two most vital to understanding the teams future and recent past involved captain Alex Ovechkin and fired coach Adam Oates. And those were two topics McPhee did not want to address Monday, two days after the Capitals announced the 17-year GMs contract would not be renewed. "I dont really want to answer questions about individuals. Im going to duck those," McPhee replied when Ovechkins name was first brought up. Pressed to weigh in about the three-time NHL MVP, McPhee replied: "If youre asking me if we can win with him, I believed we could win with him." As to how Ovechkin could lead the league with 51 goals and be among the worst in the NHL with a minus-36 rating, McPhee said: "Of course I have opinions, but those issues are for the next guy." Later, McPhee was asked to describe his working relationship with Oates, who was fired Saturday with a season left on his three-year deal. "Again," McPhee said, "I dont want to talk about individuals." At another point in the half-hour meeting with the media, though, McPhee did say he "loved working with" Oates two immediate predecessors as Washingtons coach, Bruce Boudreau and Dale Hunter. The Capitals finished ninth in the Eastern Conference this season, missing the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time since 2007. "For five years, we really had an opportunity to win a cup. We were legit," McPhee said. "And then I thought the last couple years, we could make the playoffs, but going deep might be hard, because I didnt think we were quite deep enough." During the six post-season berths in the span from 2008-13, though, Washington never made it past the second round. McPhee thinks hes leaving the team in good shape, ready to reach the Stanley Cup finals "sometime in the next three years." "Im not exaggerating when I try to explain that this organization is in great shape," McPhee said. "We dont have any bad contracts on the books. Lots of cap space to work with. A great (AHL) affiliation in Hershey. A whole group of young players coming into the organization." He said the Capitals simply need a "pretty easy fix." McPhee said his contract wont expire until July 1, so other teams would need to ask the Capitals for permission to speak to him about a job. "If theres another GMs job in the future and someone gives me an opportunity, Id love to do it again," he said. "And Id go to Iceland to do it. Doesnt matter where it is." McPhees mood was light and he made a handful of jokes. Perhaps its because he was not stunned that the Capitals would make changes. "I felt it was coming," McPhee said, "but in this job, youre 24 hours away from being fired almost any time." Kyle Wilber Raiders Jersey . -- Kurt Buschs Sunday at Martinsville Speedway, in some ways, was like his career wrapped into one afternoon. Gareon Conley Raiders Jersey . According to the Globe and Mail, a decision between the NHL and the Players Association should come within the six months. "I can tell you, (a decision) shouldnt take all that long," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Globe and Mail. http://www.officialauthenticraidersstore...ler-jersey.html., climbed from seventh to fifth spot in womens competition Sunday at the ISU world junior figure skating championships. Doug Martin Jersey . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted Monday morning that Callahan - who is set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, is now open to a six-year contract at less than $7 million per season. Brandon Parker Raiders Jersey . Kenny Miller scored from the penalty spot and Camilo Sanvezzo came off the bench to add two late goals as the Whitecaps kept their playoff hopes alive with a 3-0 victory over the sagging Impact on Saturday afternoon.FOXBOUROUGH, Mass. - The Patriots know theyre preparing for a Jets offence that will run, run and run some more when the divisional foes meet Sunday in New Jersey.This team wants to run the ball. They let you know the want to run the ball, thats their motto, thats what they stand for, Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork said Thursday. You talk about teams being able to establish the front lines, the first team you can think about is the Jets — on both sides of the ball, not just offensively.We understand what they want to do.Despite a 3-11 record, the Jets are second in the NFL in rushing. Back on Oct. 16, the first times the teams played, the Jets ran for 218 yards in a 27-25 loss. That was before they added wide receiver Percy Harvin and his receiving/rushing talents to the mix.They do a real good job, especially up front, said Wilfork, who faces yet another battle with centre Nick Mangold and his pals. Those guys are physical and tough. They have different weapons. It seems like they have about 10 backs that come in that run the ball for them. The quarterback position (Geno Smith or Michael Vick), Percy coming over, having (Chris) Ivory, (Chris) Johnson, I mean, you name it, (Bilal) Powell. . Theyre a threat, so we know how important it is for us to do a real good job, which the first time we didnt do.The Jets have averaged 147.1 yards per game on the ground, while the Patriots have yielded 103.5 yards per. Ivory (six touchdowns) and Johnson (one) have combined for 1,352 ground yards, while Smith has added 211 and Harvin 109 on 20 carries.When they run the ball well and have success at it, it keeps you on the field longer, said linebacker Akeem Ayers.dddddddddddd It can tire teams out. Theyre good. They run the ball, they run the ball hard — they just have a lot of success at running the ball. Their linemen are good up front, the running backs are good at finding the hole, they can get a lot of big runs.Percy Harvin is just like a running back as well. He can do everything a running back can do and he has that speed to really break some big runs.Sometimes New York will hit opponents with the wildcat, with a direct snap to any number of people.If its one particular player that just runs the wildcat you can kind of dial in and be alert for that particular guy in that alignment, says New England defensive co-ordinator Matt Patricia. Theyve used just about everybody there. Theyll all be back there at some point, whether its Chris Johnson, Ivory, Powell or (receiver Jeremy) Kerley. All of them have been able to be in that position and to run that offence.All this, Wilfork says, makes the record a bit misleading. And divisional games are always extra gritty.The Jets have six losses by eight points or less, one in overtime, and should be fired up for what seems to be Rex Ryans final home game as coach.Its nothing (about records), said Wilfork. When you play a division opponent, its always a tough game, just because we know each other so well. We cant get caught up in any records; we know theyre going to play hard.So we have to do a real good job of going in there and being at our best, because if we dont well be in trouble.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Bruins Jerseys Wholesale Sabres Jerseys Red Wings Jerseys From China Wholesale Canadiens Jerseys Wholesale Lightning Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Discount Hurricanes Jerseys Blue Jackets Jerseys Outlet Adidas Devils Jerseys Cheap Islanders Jerseys Rangers Jerseys From China Discount Flyers Jerseys Discount Penguins Jerseys Discount Capitals Jerseys Wholesale Blackhawks Jerseys Cheap Avalanche Jerseys Cheap Team USA Hockey Jerseys Cheap Stars Jerseys Wholesale Wild Jerseys Discount Predators Jerseys Discount Blues Jerseys Discount Ducks Jerseys Adidas Coyotes Jerseys Flames Jerseys Outlet Wholesale Oilers Jerseys Discount Sharks Jerseys Cheap Canucks Jerseys Golden Knights Jerseys Outlet Authentic NHL Winter Classic Jerseys ' ' '