Ducks’ Bruce Boudreau not surprised by Washington Capitals moves

DALLAS — Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said Saturday he wasn’t surprised that the Washington Capitals — his previous employer — declined to renew the contract of general manager George McPhee and dismissed coach Adam Oates after the Capitals missed the playoffs this season.

Boudreau worked for McPhee and coached the Capitals from 2007 until Nov. 28, 2011, when he was fired. Boudreau was hired by the Ducks two days later.

Here’s a link to the Washington Post’s story on the departures of McPhee and Oates.

Boudreau and the Ducks traveled to Dallas on Saturday for prepare for Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Stars on Sunday. The Ducks can advance to the second round if they win.

The hockey community being small but very communicative, Boudreau was well aware of the events in Washington by Saturday afternoon.

“It’s not a surprise because everybody’s been talking about it,” Boudreau said. “I think George is a great GM and he’ll jump right back into it. Just sometimes, people need different spots.

“But he’s I think a truly, really, really good GM so I know he’s going to bounce back. I don’t know Adam at all. But I thought one went with the other. . . . It’s interesting to me now, is who’s next there. Because once that thing happens, and believe me I hate to see anybody lose their jobs, but it’s always going to be interesting until it happens, to guess on who’s going to be the guy that goes in there. In both spots.”

Oates released a statement through the Capitals, and you can read it here.