When the Washington Capitals fired coach Todd Reirden following another first-round playoff exit under his leadership, winger T.J. Oshie understood the message being sent.
“I know that the results that we have are unacceptable,” Oshie said. “Kind of the way the hockey world works is usually the coach is the first one to go, and if things don’t change, then the team kind of gets pulled apart.”
So Oshie entered this offseason with an understanding that the expectations in the past haven’t been met, adding an intensity to an already hectic training camp period.