Report: Travis Green’s $2.7 million contract ‘a factor’ in Canucks’ decision on Boudreau

In the wake of Monday’s explosive interview on Sportsnet 650 with Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford, Donnie & Dhali — The Team hosts Rick Dhaliwal and Don Taylor discussed the future of Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau on Tuesday’s episode of their show on CHEK TV.

Rutherford did not expressly give his head coach a vote of confidence in his conversation with Sportsnet 650’s Dan Riccio and Satiar Shah on Monday.

“I do believe that the style that the team played that had success in the second half of last season was a loose style and was more on the offensive side,” Rutherford said. “Our goaltender played great in the second half and really helped win a lot of those games or bail us out in wide-open games.

“I don’t believe that that’s the style of play you can sustain over a long period of time if you want to contend for a playoff spot.”

Dhaliwal flatly stated what anyone who listened to the 650 interview could infer — Rutherford is not happy with his team — but said the Canucks president will strive to be thorough in his reasoning before making changes.

Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini hired Boudreau on December 5, 2021, four days before Rutherford joined the organization.

“So, what I was told this morning was Rutherford is obviously pissed and he’s mad, but he will not make a knee-jerk reaction,” Dhaliwal said. “He’s going to think things through before a major change is made.

“It’s an awkward situation, but the owner hired the coach first. We all know that,” Dhaliwal continued. “It’s not as simple as firing the coach. Do you get a new coach and become a great non-playoff team? Do you suck it up and go for a top-five overall pick?”

Dhaliwal also suggested that the prospect of paying three coaches at once could deter the Canucks from making a personnel change behind the bench.

“Travis Green getting $2.7 million by the Canucks this year is a factor. Boudreau’s getting over $2 million,” Dhaliwal said. “The owner’s gotta have a big say if you’re gonna flip the coach, the owner’s gotta approve it. Nobody likes to pay employees not to work for them.”

“Right now, I do not get the feeling that there’s a coaching change imminent.”

The Canucks (3–6–3) will return to action on Tuesday evening when they visit the Ottawa Senators (4–6–0) — losers of five in a row — at Canadian Tire Centre.