Haulin' Oates.

I think I have finally figured out the method to Capitals GM George McPhee's madness.  Picking Adam Oates as his fifth straight head coach to be hired without previous head coaching experience is less about controlling a newbie and more about...fashion.  McPhee, who often seems more interested in acquiring new scarves than quality centremen, must love that Oates rocks the three-piece suits, making him the best dressed Caps coach in a long time.  Bruce Boudreau, who I think admitted his wife dressed him, couldn't be bothered to wipe the ketchup off his face before sitting down for interviews with HBO.  And Dale Hunter claimed to own one suit and tie.  I just hope Oates will be able to accessorize.  With rings.  Big, shiny, gaudy Stanley Cup Champion rings.

Despite his inexperience in the top spot, I love the hire of Adam Oates.  I think he helps the Caps organization in four key areas: communication, handling Alex Ovechkin, improving the power play and bolstering the coaching staff.

By all accounts, Oates is a strong communicator.  He was a captain for many years and played alongside the never-shy Brett Hull for some of his best seasons.  Oates should be able to relate to star players because he was one.  He has already spoken of treating players like he wanted to be treated.  I think most players want to know where they stand.  It is okay to have a dog house, but I think coaches should tell a player why they are marooned there.  Dale Hunter used the dog house/bench (to some degree of success, mind you) without explanation.  Scratched players, according to multiple reports, were left to figure out on their own why they weren't playing.  I'm okay with tough love and accountability, but why not communicate?  That can work at the junior level, but wears quickly with the big boys.

Speaking of the big boys, is there a player that Oates can (and needs) to nurture more than Alex Ovechkin?   I wrote in March that unless you possess a flux capacitor and a stash of plutonium you have likely seen the best of Alexander Ovechkin.  Well, it might be time to watch the streets for flaming tire tracks.  Oates has been a star, a captain and a proven leader.  He is credited with helping Devils' Russian sniper (and Ovechkin pal) Ilya Kovalchuk develop his two-way game to become a better all-around player.  Sound good so far?  Ovechkin showed a willingness, albeit begrudgingly, to adapt his game last year.  Imagine the growth he can achieve when guided by a more deft hand.  The word is Oates' system is up-tempo while remaining defensively responsible.  Not  Boudreau's wide open, if-you-keep-the-puck-in-the-offensive-zone-forever-you-don't-have-to-play-defense system, nor Hunter's attempt-to-win-every-game-1 to 0 effort.  Ovechkin can grow defensively, becoming a more complete player yet still get out and run some.  Though, that won't always be the best idea.

I have long told friends that Ovechkin and Backstrom should strive to be Hull and Oates II:Electric Boogaloo.  Now that Oates is actually here, maybe he can show the kids how it's done.  Ovechkin needs to stop carrying the puck into the zone full-speed attempting to blow by the defense.  Hull made a pretty sweet living by prowling the offensive zone, finding a soft spot in the D, waiting for a nifty pass from Oates and pounding  it past the goalie.  Ovie must possess the puck less to score more.  His arsenal of blistering shots would that much more dangerous when accepting a smooth Backstrom saucer than when trying to shoot through the defense on the fly. Maybe this "hockey sense"  is not only innate, but able to be cultivated.  Jeff Halpern, a former Oates teammate and pupil, said Oates has the "most elite hockey mind I’ve ever come across".  Hopefully, the professor can get through to Ovechkin.

If he can get through to Ovechkin, then Adam Oates will have gone a long way towards achieving my (armchair GM that I am) third objective-improving the power play.  The Caps power play, once a Top-5 ranked nuclear device feared by opponents, has become stagnant and less effective the last two seasons.  Oates was  instrumental in improving the Devils' power play, making it more dynamic and productive.  Maybe opponents will once again feel shame when going to the box against the Caps.

Finally, Oates may prove it is what you know and who you know.  There are tons of rumors flying about who (players and coaches, alike) would like to follow Oates to D.C.  Free agent Zach Parise would look great in red, white and blue, however, I'm not holding my breath.  Larry Robinson could improve the defense a tad.  Scott Stevens could instill a little toughness, I'm guessing.  And Steve Konowalchuk, my all-time favorite Capital, could bring a giant ice box full of heart to transplant into the too-cool cats skating at Verizon Center.  More importantly, if Stevens and Kono rounded out Oates' bench staff, then I could constantly paraphrase one of my favorite Letterman sketches.  The Strong Guy, The Bug-Eye, The Genius!

Adam Oates may or may not be the answer.  He should be easy to root for, though.  Is it October yet?  I'm ready to find out if Adam Oates can help find the pot of Cups at the end of the rainbow.