While the Stanley Cup playoffs are raging outside the State of Hockey, Minnesota’s NHL franchise is signaling to its fans they want to be competitive.
The Wild will introduce their fifth head coach in franchise history Tuesday, when Bruce Boudreau meets the media. Eight days after being fired by Anaheim, Boudreau replaces interim coach John Torchetti, who took over the Wild when Mike Yeo was fired February 13.
Boudreau will make top shelf money with a four-year deal at a reported $12 million. He discussed his move to Minnesota with the NHL Network.
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Boudreau was clearly one of the NHL’s top available coaches upon his dismissal after a Game 7 loss on April 29. According to multiple reports, Boudreau said he accepted the Wild offer last Saturday as he was flying home from interviewing with the Ottawa Senators the day before.
For the past four seasons, Boudreau directed his Anaheim Ducks to Pacific Division titles. He was 208-104-40 in five seasons with Anaheim. Prior to that, Boudreau coached Washington for nine seasons and complied a record of 409-192-80.
The Wild were looking to hire a head coach who could guide a talented but underachieving team, while also sending a signal to a restless fan base that the team was serious about winning. Dallas eliminated the Wild in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in six games in the first round this season.
