Adam Oates is the 20th all-time leading scorer in the NHL. He played in 1337 games in the league regular season, scoring 1420 (341+1079) points. And in the list of the best assistants in the NHL, he is usually eighth.
Oates was inducted into the Toronto Hall of Fame 10 years ago. He worked as an assistant coach in Tampa and New Jersey, was a head coach in Washington for two years (2012-2014). In the first season, the Capitals won the division, but already in the first round they were eliminated by the New York Rangers (3-4). And in the second season, Washington didn’t make the playoffs at all, and Oates was fired.
Interestingly, his fate turned further. Adam makes money doing what he does… as a personal trainer for star players. He trains one-on-one with hockey players such as Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl… After each game, he analyzes their game, cuts the video, invites, helps. This is included in the service package. And once a year they meet, go out together on the ice during training camp. For example, McDavid recently flew to Toronto and trained individually with Oates.
Adam could become an NHL coach again. But he decided to be an individualist. By the way, this also distinguished him as a player. Oates is known to have never played for the Canadian national team, no matter how he was called up. He just wasn’t interested.
And then I had the opportunity to interview Oates. What does he think of Russians in the NHL?
“Grabovsky introduced me to Kucherov”
— Adam, you had a great career as a head coach in the NHL. Why did you decide to become an individual hockey coach?
“I really enjoyed coaching in the NHL. When I got kicked out of Washington in 2014, I waited for my chance again, I did various interviews. Along the way, several of my players approached me. They asked to work with them in the offseason. I accepted and I really liked this work. So I decided to open my own business in this direction.
“How did you start working with Kucherov?”
– I met Nikita through Mikhail Grabovsky. They trained Graba in Washington and they usually trained together in the summer. We first met Kucherov four years ago and then started working together.
– What did Kucherov add while studying with you?
– Nobody is perfect, but Nikita is the person who always goes to perfection. Obviously, many hockey players aspire to the same thing. You work hard to get into this league.
And you have to keep working. You cannot stand still. You get old, you get hurt. You have to overcome all the obstacles that appear on your way. It’s called being a professional.
What I like most about Nikita is that he demonstrates professionalism on a daily basis. He is constantly working on his game, on every detail, trying to improve every aspect of the game – which sets the best of the best apart from the rest.
– Literally this week, Kucherov for the first time in his NHL career received an “A” badge on a jersey. Could a wizard title change his game? He is now responsible for the whole team.
– I don’t think the letter “A” can change anything. Rather, it should be seen as a compliment from Tampa. I don’t think it can affect Kucherov one way or another. However, there were times when some players became captains which put extra pressure on them. But that usually passes with time.
As already said, it is rather a sign that indicates the recognition of Kucherov by the team. So I think everyone in the club, in the entire Tampa Bay organization, understands what Cooch means to everyone.
– You also work with New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov. He showed in the Russian national team that he knows how to connect in attack. Why did he become an NHL enforcer and score so few points?
– Yes, I work with Romanov, he recently hired me. When I first met him, I saw a tall, strong young man with excellent physical shape.
He now plays for the New York Islanders, and the style of this club is just very similar to Romanov’s game – it’s a defensive style, which emphasizes helping his goalie. Alexander is very suitable for such a team.
Another very important point is to help your team quickly get out of the zone and launch the attack. It’s your job as a protector. And you also need to play smart on the blue line in the attacking zone, when you need to make the right decisions in the right place.
“Now it is no longer necessary to put Ovechkin on the right”
– You are remembered for the fact that when you were the head coach of Washington, you transferred Alexander Ovechkin in equal numbers from the left flank to the right. And it had some effect. Why do you think other Capitals coaches haven’t used this trick?
– Because at that time the team and our defense were not as good as today. “Washington” could not quickly enter the zone and launch an attack. And then Ovechkin was in the wrong position. That was the real reason I did it.
It’s completely normal for him to play where he currently plays – on the left flank. Because training decisions are largely based on an analysis of the type of players you have in the squad.
– How does Ovechkin’s game change with age? Has it gotten easier?
“Even though Ovechkin is getting older, he will still be great on the power play. And with age, of course, you need to pay special attention to physical fitness. Because anyway, it will be a little more difficult to maintain the previous physical condition. It is also very important to play with the right partners who will help you show your best game in every match. Ovechkin is a very determined person, so I don’t see any problem with that.
– And what does the fact that Alexander the Great is now second to last in the league with a terrible utility indicator of “-13” tell you?
Yes, it’s a strange moment. In general, plus/minus itself is a very strange indicator. It’s helpful, but can sometimes be a bit misleading. You don’t want it to be very negative. But you need to analyze each game to understand why the indicator is as it is.
Sometimes Ovechkin can be on the ice every time the Washingtons retire a goaltender. And when his team is marked in an empty net, these inconveniences are the most unpleasant.
So you have to look at the specific situation. But obviously there are very tough games and tough weeks in a long season.
“It would be an honor to become the head coach of the Russian national team”
– Do you think Alexander Ovechkin will be able to overtake Wayne Gretzky in goal? And if that happens, what will that mean for you personally?
– I think Ovechkin could well bypass Gretzky. But for that, many things must have coincided.
It’s unfortunate that centre-forward Niklas Backstrom is injured – Ovi is easy to play with him. So you need to take into account factors such as health, physical condition.
How long does it take for Ovechkin to pass Wayne? 106 goals? Of course, he can score as much, especially since the contract with Washington is valid for another four seasons.
If Alexander can get around Gretzky, of course I will be very happy for him. Gretzky is my idol, one of the most beloved hockey players, against whom he himself played and watched the game.
If that happens, I’m sure Gretzky himself will react positively to it. But the very fact that Ovechkin has come close to Gretzky and his record is fantastic.
– It’s also worth noting that Ovi can surpass Ray Burke in shots in his NHL career, coming out on top in history. Alexander has just 63 shots left.
– Yes, you noticed it in an interesting way, especially since I played a lot with Bourque during my time in Boston. Well, some players look and find ways to create chances and shoot more. It is obvious that playing majority in this Ovechkin helps a lot. In general, this is an interesting statistic that speaks volumes.
Do you think Ovechkin will be inducted into the Toronto Hall of Fame immediately upon retirement, as happened with Gretzky and Mario Lemieux? Or will he have to wait three years?
– He may well enter the Hall of Fame immediately after the end of his career. No doubt that Ovechkin will get there. I just don’t know what the rules are for entering the Hall of Fame immediately after a career ends. It’s clear why Gretzky and Mario were immediately included in it – they were unique players.
I think it won’t be an easy decision because there are other great players. People like Sidney Crosby, for example. But we have to see what the Hall of Fame rules are – I’m not a voter there.
“It would be great if Crosby were accepted there right away. His 17-year duel with Ovechkin did a great job moving the NHL forward.
– It’s true. The confrontation between Ovechkin and Crosby is simply fantastic. The NHL needs these duels, and all sports need them. It’s a very healthy fight. Each of the players has won the Stanley Cup, and Sidney has done so three times. They both continue to put on a fantastic performance.
Imagine that you are the general manager of an NHL club. Who would have been drafted in due time – Ovechkin or Crosby?
“I think I would only win if I took one of them. It’s a win-win situation.
– Let’s imagine that the NHL is still launching the World Cup, and that the league offers you to train the Russian team. What will your reaction be?
– A very interesting question. For me, that would be an honor. Of course, I’m sure many Russian coaches wouldn’t be too happy if they approached me with such an offer. But for me, it would be a great honor.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
