New Coach Tocchet Inherits Messy Situation in Vancouver

The Vancouver Canucks (18-25-3) fired Bruce Boudreau and replaced him with Rick Tocchet to add a final chapter to what has been a public relations nightmare for the club.

Vancouver President of Hockey Operations Jim Rutherford admitted he was talking to candidates before he fired Boudreau. Tocchet’s name has been reported for several days. That’s not how NHL coach firings are usually handled.

Even Vancouver fans seemed to believe the 68-year-old Boudreau deserved a more dignified exit. They serenaded him with “Bruce, there it is!” to the tune of “Whoomp, there it is” during Saturday’s Vancouver loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

It was an emotional night for Boudreau. He has been a beloved character everywhere he’s been because of his love of the game and how he treats players. He’s known for knowing everything about his players and their families. Playing for Boudreau is like playing for your grandfather.

“You never know if it’s the end,” teary Boudreau said after the fan tribute. “When you’ve been in it for almost 50 years – the majority of your life – and now if it’s the end, I had to stay out there and look at the crowd and just try to say, ‘Ok, try to remember this moment.”

Boudreau was fired because the team is 2-8 in their last 10 games and headed toward another playoff miss. The Canucks have only made the playoffs once in the past seven seasons.

Tocchet takes over a team that has had trade rumors swirling above it since last summer. The team’s captain, Bo Horvat, is headed to UFA status. If no deal is reached, he may be dealt by the March 3 NHL trade deadline. Other Canucks are also mentioned in rumors.

Tocchet previously was head coach with the Arizona Coyotes. He was credited with doing a quality job keeping the team competitive under difficult circumstances.

🐻 The Boston Bruins extended their winning streak against the San Sharks to 11 games. The Bruins cruised to a 4-0 victory thanks to highlight reel goals scored by Hampus Lindholm (watch here) and Charlie McAvoy (watch here) and 17 saves by Linus Ullmark, who left the game in the third with a skate issue. The Bruins won their 5th straight overall, improving to 37-5-4 for 78 points this season —  12 points more than the 2nd place Carolina Hurricanes.

🏥 The Montreal Canadiens announce Cole Caufield will miss the remainder of the season. The 22-year-old winger was having a career year having scored 26 goals and adding 10 assists in 46 games played. Head coach Martin St. Louis confirmed on Saturday that Caufield had been playing hurt with an injury suffered earlier in the season and the decision to undergo surgery was made Friday night. Caufield acknowledged his representation is in contact with the Canadiens as he is a pending restricted free agent this offseason.

What head coach holds the Vancouver Canucks' all-time record for most wins with 313?

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