The Anaheim Ducks announced Friday that they have relieved head coach Bruce Boudreau of his coaching duties.
“This was a very difficult decision to make. Bruce is a good coach and character person,” said Ducks GM Bob Murray in a statement.
This was Boudreau’s fifth season behind the bench in Anaheim. The only season the team didn’t make the playoffs was his first season, when he took over after the first 28 games. He completes his tenure in Anaheim with a record of 208-104-40. That time includes four division titles as well.
Overall, he is 409-192-80 in his NHL career. No coach has reached 400 wins faster than Boudreau. No active coach has a better points percentage than him.
He has had mixed results in the playoffs, with last season’s run to the Western Conference Final being the furthest he’s taken a NHL team in nine years as a NHL coach. This year the team saw a disappointing first-round exit in seven games at the hands of the Nashville Predators.
It was a tough season, but Boudreau may have proven his value to other teams. Anaheim struggled scoring out of the gate. Instead of waiting for the bounces to start turning their way, Boudreau shifted things around and turned the team into a team that was impossible to score on for a couple of months.
By historical standards, a team that started as poorly as the Ducks did don’t generally make the playoffs. They finished the season with 103 points and won the Pacific Division again.
“On behalf of the Ducks organization, we would like to express our appreciation to Bruce and his wife Crystal for their commitment to our community,” said Owners Henry and Susan Samueli. “Bruce led us to four division titles with tremendous passion and pride, and we will always be grateful for his contributions both on and off the ice.”
TSN’s Bob McKenzie reports that Ottawa is likely to ask Anaheim for permission to talk with Boudreau. The Minnesota Wild are also currently without a coach and could be a team looking for permission to talk with Boudreau.
In Anaheim, there are a lot of potential suitors for the job. Former Edmonton oilers coach Dallas Eakins is currently coaching the AHL’s San Diego Gulls, and former Ottawa coach Paul MacLean was an assistant to Boudreau in Anaheim. Trent Yawney is another assistant coach in Anaheim who could be getting an interview in the near future.
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