Boudreau: 'It will be something that stays with me my whole life'
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In what could be his final game as the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks, Bruce Boudreau spoke to reporters following the Canucks' 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
"It might be a long press conference if I do that," said Boudreau of his emotions to TSN's Farhan Lalji. "You never know when it’s the end… It will be something that stays with me my whole life.”
His message to the Canucks fans? “Thank you."
The 68-year-old Toronto native took over as the Canucks' bench boss mid-season in 2021-22 and helped the Canucks finish in 10th place with a record 40-30-12 and 92 points - five back of the Nashville Predators for eighth place in the Western Conference.
On Friday night against the Colorado Avalanche, fans broke out into a myriad of chants in support of Boudreau and defenceman Tyler Myers said the “mindset and the mood got to us” during their 4-1 loss to the Avalanche.
Earlier on Friday, an emotional Boudreau politely ended his news conference with reporters when asked what coaching in the NHL meant to him as rumours of his job security continued to swirl.
Boudreau's future as head coach of the Canucks has been in question for weeks with president Jim Rutherford admitting that he'd spoken to people outside the organization about the job. One name that has been front and centre to replace Boudreau is former NHL analyst for TNT and former Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet.
“We don’t know the status of who’s going and who’s staying. I’m sure that will come down pretty soon," Boudreau said.
“I don’t know the reason I’m still here. Maybe because Chicago [Blackhawks], Seattle [Kraken] and Columbus [Blue Jackets] are next," the 16-year NHL head coach said referring to the Canucks next three games.
"To the new group, good luck,” he finished.