Jeff Vinick/NHLI via Getty Images
Although longtime NHL head coach Bruce Boudreau has struggled to reach the pinnacle of Stanley Cup wins, his resume as a bench boss is undeniably impressive. Tied with former NHL bench boss Jack Lemire as the 20th winningest coach in NHL history with 617 wins, he’s been a proven winner everywhere he’s gone. However, the situation he now sees in Vancouver as the head coach of the Canucks is not positive.
The Canucks have booked 25 games in the 2021-22 season After an 8-15-2 start under previous bench boss Travis Greene, Boudreau led Vancouver to a 32-15-10 finish in the regular season and a 40-30-12 overall record. Retained for the 2022-23 seasonBoudreau’s Canucks have struggled, currently sitting sixth in the Pacific Division with an 18-23-3 record.
While the Canucks’ struggles understandably gave Boudreau a spotlight, a poorly constructed roster and lack of a vote of confidence in the front office (such as former general manager Jim Benning, current GM Patrick Alvin and team president Jim Rutherford) also contributed to the team’s inability to play a winning brand of hockey.
Earlier in the week, Rutherford addressed the team’s struggles and rumors of changes behind the bench, though his comments were anything but encouraging:
“All I can say is that Bruce is our coach now. But with this, I’m calling and talking, but don’t know that we’re making a change and don’t know that we want to make a change.”
Earlier today, following Vancouver’s morning skate, Boudreau addressed the cloud hanging over his head, and it’s clear the gravity of the situation was on the veteran bench boss’s mind, saying, “I’d be a fool to say I don’t know what’s going on. But like I said before, you get to work, and you realize how great the game is…”, before pausing and ending the press conference overcome with emotion when asked what it means to be an NHL head coach.
Bruce Boudreau got emotional this morning when asked what it means to be a coach in the NHL.#Canucks pic.twitter.com/c940BthyXV
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) January 20, 2023
The man known as “Gabby” went 50-38-13 (.559 point percentage) in 101 games behind the Canucks’ bench, and after his morning skate press conference, fans, former players, pundits and others took to social media to call out Boudreau, who has been around the hockey world. Widely respected, and to defend his situation in Vancouver.
I’ll say it again…actually Vancouver didn’t fire Boudreau and it’s a total insult to have him trotting out there every day to answer questions. Zero respect for a guy who has been in the game for 40 years pic.twitter.com/qFWdAO5h7q
— Ryan Whitney (@ryanwhitney6) January 20, 2023
Kind of ironic that Bruce Boudreau, who is completely dry right now is doing his media availability in front of a hockey talk backdrop where the organization promises positive mental health initiatives… you can’t write this stuff. #Canucks pic.twitter.com/9bXPsBVzp6
— Rob Fay (@RobFay) January 20, 2023
two #Canucks Consider this incredible mess:
1) Where is Alvin? He’s clearly not in much charge here.
2) Treat Boudreau, Rutherford should know better. Amateurs don’t even scratch the surface. Hopefully we’ll hear some “Bruce is there” tonight.— Brad Riehla (@Brihela) January 21, 2023
🔥 “What Jim Rutherford is doing to Bruce Boudreau is pathetic and has been going on since last spring..” 🧨@CraigJButton Treated by Bruce Boudreau #Canucks President Jim Rutherford.
Full interview coming soon. pic.twitter.com/1U3W291GK3
— Donni and Dhali (@DoniandDhali) January 17, 2023
The way the Canucks are treating Bruce Boudreau right now is reprehensible. He deserves much better than hanging around like this.
— Andrew Patterson (@huslerama) January 20, 2023
The team I grew up with and fell in love with is embarrassing, the mistreatment and lack of respect for Boudreau is egregious. Gone are the days when this franchise was respected and held accountable. Pat Quinn would be upset. They have to tear it down, start over and free the damn skate!
— Peter (@Peteisneat) January 15, 2023
The Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche in Vancouver tonight and play the Edmonton Oilers and Chicago Blackhawks over the next two days. Boudreau, 68, has made previous stops in Minnesota and Anaheim, after starting his career in Washington in four seasons, guiding the Caps to a Southeast Division title and playoff berth in his first season after taking over from predecessor Glenn Hanlon (for which he led the NHL’s won the Jacques Adam Award as the best coach); Additionally, he captured the Calder Cup in 2006 with the Hershey Bears.
By Michael Fleetwood
Further reading:
Renaissance run: Bruce Boudreau named 14th head coach in franchise history 15 years ago today
Bruce Boudreau reflects on 9/11 and how a last-minute flight change saved his life
Bruce, there it is! Former Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau coaches in 1,000th career NHL game
Canucks to fire bench boss Travis Green, hire former Capitals head coach Bruce Boudreau as replacement
