The Minnesota Wild coaching search is underway with a report from Michael Russo saying general manager Chuck Fletcher has already talked with recently fired Anaheim Ducks head coach Bruce Boudreau, as well as interim Wild coach John Torchetti.
Boudreau told the Orange County Register on Monday that he’s had conversations with a couple of teams.
“I’ve had a couple conversations,” he said. “I can’t delve into it right now. Let’s put it this way, this is why my voice is so bad. I couldn’t talk at all Sunday. I’ve been on the phone all day Friday and Saturday. For 15 hours a day, it was pretty crazy.”
The 61-year-old was fired by the Ducks after being knocked out of the playoffs in a Game 7 for a fourth year in a row. In nine seasons as a head coach, Boudreau has won eight division titles – four each with the Capitals and Ducks.
Travel spies have Minny GM Chuck Fletcher in California today. Quietly meeting with Bruce Boudreau is my speculation.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 3, 2016
Following Minnesota’s first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Dallas Stars, Fletcher said Torchetti is “definitely” a candidate for the job. Hockey Night in Canada’s Elliott Friedman says Torchetti will get the “first crack” at interviewing for the job, and that happened Monday, per Russo.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/727129858074091522
If the Wild want Boudreau they might have to fight off the Ottawa Senators, who are said to have interest in him as well, according to Senators beat writer Bruce Garrioch. Ottawa, Minnesota and Anaheim are the only teams currently in search of a head coach.
https://twitter.com/FriedgeHNIC/status/727130377081487360
Bruce Boudreau overall regular season record as a coach: 409-192-80. Is the fastest NHL coach to record 400 wins.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 29, 2016
