Vancouver Canucks coach Bruce Boudreau became emotional when asked Friday about rumors that he might be fired soon.
“You’re a fool not to say you don’t know what’s going on,” Boudreau said with tears in his eyes. “But… you come to work and you know how great the game is.”
Boudreau’s job security has been called into question since the Canucks (18-23-3) started 0-5-2. Vancouver is sixth in the Pacific Division, 12 points out of his playoff spot, coming into his home game against Colorado on Friday.
Boudreau, 68, who has coached the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Minnesota Wild, was hired on Dec. 6, 2021 to replace Travis Green. Vancouver started last season with his 8-15-2 under Green, but under Boudreau he went 32-15-10 and missed the playoffs by his five points.
Success has not carried over into this season. The Canucks allow him 3.96 goals per game and his penalty kill completion rate is the league’s lowest at 66.9%.
Jim Rutherford, the team’s head of hockey operations, told reporters on Monday that the team had been discussing bringing in a new coach for several months.
“Bruce is our coach now,” said Rutherford.
Asked on Friday what it means to be an NHL head coach, Boudreau turned his back to reporters and said, “We’ll talk later.”
Boudreau previously said he was trying to block out the noise.
“It hurts not to feel it,” he said. “But look, you like it and you want to do it. just understand.”
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