The Washington PostDemocracy Dies in Darkness

Capitals’ shake-up continues with departures of two assistant coaches

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April 17, 2023 at 5:55 p.m. EDT
Washington Capitals left wing Sonny Milano vaults onto the bench as Blaine Forsythe and Peter Laviolette look up at the big screen during a timeout. (John McDonnell/The Washington Post)
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The Washington Capitals continued to revamp their coaching staff Monday, agreeing to part ways with assistants Kevin McCarthy and Blaine Forsythe.

The moves came three days after the Capitals ousted head coach Peter Laviolette following the team’s worst finish in 16 years. Washington missed the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons and has not won a playoff series since 2018, when it claimed the Stanley Cup for the first time.

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Forsythe had been one of the longest-tenured assistants in the organization, having held various roles in two stints with the Capitals over the past 17 years. He joined the team as a video coach before the 2006-07 season and served in that role for two years before being promoted to amateur scout in 2008-09.

Forsythe returned to Washington’s coaching staff in 2009-10 as an assistant, a position he held for 14 seasons. He had been in charge of the power play since 2013. Washington’s power play ranked 16th in the NHL this season.

McCarthy is a longtime lieutenant of Laviolette who spent three years in Washington. He had also served on staff under Laviolette with Nashville and Carolina, winning the Stanley Cup in 2006.

“We want to sincerely thank Kevin and Blaine for their efforts and contributions to the Capitals during their respective tenures and wish them all the best moving forward,” Capitals General Manager Brian MacLellan said in a statement. “Blaine has been a dedicated member of our organization for 17 seasons and was instrumental in helping the franchise capture its first Stanley Cup in 2018.”

While the search for a new head coach is underway, the team also announced Monday that four staffers will return next season: assistant coach Scott Allen, goaltending coach Scott Murray, assistant coach and video coach Brett Leonhardt and video coordinator Emily Engel-Natzke.

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