Memo To Adam Oates, GET OUT!

That was the line from a 1997 story written by Tony Kornheiser in the Washington Post.  According to the article, Adam Oates' agent said the following:

"Adam Oates will retire before he plays for the Washington Capitals"

Oates was traded from the Bruins to the Capitals in March of 97 where he played 17 games for the Caps.  That quote was taken during the offseason, Oates' agent making that claim despite Adam having 2 more years remaining on his contract.

"This isn't some Rust Belt hellhole or some Sun Belt frying pan. This is the capital of the United States. People from all over the country want to be here. If you don't, leave." - TK

All that talk was apparently contract bargaining, done with the current GM George McPhee, who was the one who hired Oates back as the coach in 2012.  Adam Oates eventually bargained his way to a 3 year re-structure at $3 Million per year according to the NY Times who called the offseason "2 months of BITTER negotiations".  (a raise from the 2.15 million 2 year deal he already had with the team)

Oates ended up playing for the Capitals for four more seasons scoring over 70 points in 3 of the 4 seasons.  He was one of the leaders of the team that made it to the Stanley Cup in 1998.  I guess all that good erases that one bitter summer for George McPhee.

And now McPhee welcomes Adam Oates back.  I wonder what his contract situation is...

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Source:

Kornheiser, Tony. "Oates' Agent is on a Power Play".  Washington Post.  31 July 1997.  C01.  Print.