https://www.instagram.com/p/BFPBFoCN0QL/
Bruce Boudreau chose to coach the Wild over other suitors because he thinks it’s the toughest job on the market – and he likes the challenge.
“I think the Central Division is the toughest division. It’s a great challenge,” Boudreau said Tuesday at his introductory press conference. “Minnesota’s always been tough to play against and I love the way they play as far as the guys that they have can skate … and will play an in-your-face type of game. Everything pointed in this direction.”
1. Fletcher likes Boudreau’s style
“They score, they win and they’re entertaining,” Fletcher said of Boudreau’s teams, while adding that the 61-year-old has a wealth of experience and incredible hockey IQ.
2. Roster needed a new leader
Fletcher said: “They need a different push. They need a different voice.”
3. Cold weather isn’t a concern
“Weather didn’t come into play at all,” Boudreau said. “We’re going to love it here.”
Boudreau: "The fact that the whole state of Minnesota is hockey nuts I thought would be a real interesting difference coming from Anaheim."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) May 9, 2016
4. Pushing players’ buttons
Boudreau wants to “find the Achilles heal of every player and push that button and make them play the best they can,” he said, while “making them believe they’re the best team.”
5. Likes the young roster
Fifteen players under the age of 26 and “that’s an exciting time,” he said.
The 15 he’s referring to: Matt Dumba, Mike Reilly, Jonas Brodin, Kurtis Gabriel, Nino Niederreiter, Charlie Coyle, Jason Zucker, Mikael Granlund, Erik Haula, Christian Folin, Jordan Schroeder, Zac Dalpe, Marco Scandella, Jared Spurgeon and Darcy Kuemper.
6. Believes the roster is balanced
“Every line can play against every line – that way you have the advantage against matchups every time.”
7. Don’t need a superstar scorer
“As much as I like (Alex) Ovechkin and (Ryan) Getzlaf and (Corey) Perry, you don’t need those guys to survive or to win.”
New #MNWild coach Bruce Boudreau: "As much as I like Ovechkin and Getzlaf and Perry, you don't need those guys to win."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) May 10, 2016
Boudreau coached Ovechkin in Washington and Perry and Getzlaf in Anaheim. The Wild don’t have a pure goal-scorer comparable that trio.
8. Suter won’t play as much?
“Very rarely have I had a player play 25 minutes or more,” Boudreau said. Suter has averaged at least 27 minutes a gain in all four seasons with the Wild.
9. Upgrading the roster
“Hopefully this is the first move in a productive and exciting summer for us,” Fletcher said, while pointing out there’s still “another level” players on the roster can get to.
10. Disciplining players
“It comes naturally, you can say ‘good morning’ and be friendly to the players without being their friends. They have to do what you want them to do, or the best thing you can do is take ice time way.”
.@mnwild coach Bruce Boudreau: "There's not a situation that can come up that I haven't already faced" https://t.co/DJkcBf9I8l
— FanDuel Sports Network North (@FanDuelSN_NOR) May 10, 2016
