The NHL’s most-sought after bench boss is off the market. Bruce Boudreau and the Minnesota Wild have come to terms on a deal that would see the former Anaheim Ducks man takeover the vacancy left by Mike Yeo.
#mnwild has agreed to terms with Bruce Boudreau as the team’s new head coach: https://t.co/ycdGU2rgvy pic.twitter.com/damzDEmCLV
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 8, 2016
According to Elliotte Friedman, Boudreau signed for just under $3 million for the next four years, roughly a $1 million raise from his position in Anaheim.
Boudreau contract in MIN expected to be four years, just under $3M per. That was the step-up from the Wild in the last 24 hours.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 8, 2016
In his tenure with the Ducks Boudreau had a 181-81-32 record in 294 regular season games. He took the Ducks to the postseason in each of his four years as head coach, making it as far as the Western Conference Finals before being eliminated by the Blackhawks in seven games last year.
Speculation was rampant that Boudreau was heading to Ottawa; he’s from the area and many assumed he would take the opportunity to be closer to his daughter and granddaughter. However it didn’t work out, the Senators weren’t ready to give the term, or money, that the Wild put forward.
My understanding is BB went to OTT with them as #1 choice. Significant disparity in commitment levels changed the landscape.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) May 8, 2016
Ottawa was > $1MM behind in their offer to Boudreau as of two hours ago, fwiw.
— Travis Yost (@travisyost) May 8, 2016
The Sens, Flames and Ducks are all still trying to fill head coaching vacancies. Names still on the list include former Wild coach Mike Yeo, the AHL’s Utica Comets head coach Travis Green, and Zurich Lions head coach Marc Crawford among others.