Bruce Boudreau is “most likely” to return as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks next season, according to a report by Rick Dhaliwal.
In conversation with Don Taylor on Thursday’s edition of Donnie & Dhali – The Team on CHEK TV, Dhaliwal indicated that the Canucks have substantially warmed up to the prospect of retaining Boudreau, who is signed through the end of the 2021–22 season.
“The feeling around the Canucks right now is — remember a couple of weeks ago, two, three weeks ago, Donnie, we talked about, ‘is he gonna be back?’ And there was word coming out that the Canucks weren’t going to. […] Generally, I’m seeing a shift in thinking with the Canucks and Boudreau. Feeling is right now, most likely, he’s gonna be back, but it’s not 100 percent. […] I think the Canucks know it would be a P.R. disaster if you don’t bring him back. Look at his record: [30–13–9]. He’s forcing their hand, Donnie. Fans are chanting his name outside the arena post-game, for goodness’ sakes. Focus is still to make the playoffs. The only way, I’ve been told, this doesn’t happen: is if Bruce doesn’t want it to happen.”
Boudreau, 67, has served as head coach for four National Hockey League teams since the 2007–08 season. Since joining the Canucks in December 2021, the team has posted a .663 points percentage in 52 games; with Travis Green behind the bench to start the 2021–22 season, the Canucks went 8–15–2 (good for a .360 points percentage).
Boudreau and the Canucks both have options set out for next season, meaning Boudreau himself and the Canucks both need to either agree to exercise the second year of Boudreau’s contract or sign an extension before he’s back as coach.
With five games to play this season, the Canucks currently sit four points back of the Dallas Stars for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Boudreau and Co. will return to action at 5:00 p.m. Pacific on Thursday evening to take on the Minnesota Wild.
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