NHL

Oates leaves Devils to become Capitals head coach

Adam Oates (Getty Images)

Adam Oates left the Devils Tuesday, where he served as assistant coach, to become head coach of the Capitals.

The Post reported this morning that the Devils had granted the 49-year-old permission to seek a head coaching job, mentioning Washington as the possible destination.

“We have given Adam permission to talk to one team,” GM Lou Lamoriello told The Post on Monday.

Oates was an assistant for John MacLean, Jacques Lemaire and Pete DeBoer during the past two seasons. A center who was among an undrafted collegiate crowd (RPI) who launched a bidding war in 1985, led by Ray Staszak, Oates stands 16th all-time with 1,420 points with Detroit, Boston, Washington, Philly, Anaheim and Edmonton.

“Adam was a highly intelligent player in the NHL for 19 seasons,” Capitals GM George McPhee said in a statement released by the club. “He has been an assistant coach in our conference for the past three seasons and is prepared to lead our club as head coach.”

Dale Hunter, who stepped in after Bruce Boudreau was fired midseason, left the Capitals after the team lost to the Rangers in the second round of the playoffs.

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Devils defenseman Mark Fayne will be out until October after undergoing surgery to repair a ligament in his left wrist Friday. Lamoriello said the ailment nagged him through the end of the season and playoffs.

The Devils protected their Group 2 free agent compensation rights with Fayne, D Matt Corrente and F Vladimir Zharkov. They did not qualify G Timo Pielmeier nor F Kory Nagy, prospects who become unrestricted.