Bruce Boudreau Fired by Billy Guerin

BREAKING: #mnwild coach Bruce Boudreau was fired this morning at TRIA by GM Bill Guerin

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

#mnwild assistant coach Dean Evason will be named interim coach, sources say

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

NEWS: #mnwild General Manager Bill Guerin announced the club has relieved Head Coach Bruce Boudreau of his coaching duties. pic.twitter.com/PXUaaeH9ig

— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) February 14, 2020

More insightful Russo tweets (w/Billy Guerin quotes) at the bottom of this blog — They were sent after this blog was written.

Holy shit… I thought Bruce Boudreau looked even more red in the face last night, than he normally does, when he talked to media after the Wild gave up a 2-goal lead to the New York Rangers last night… maybe this is why.

I feel bad for Bruce because he was one of the most respected coaches in the NHL before we got ahold of him…. he just couldn’t quite get to that Stanley Cup. He still has one of the best regular season winning percentages of any coach in NHL history, even as he walks out the door.

We ruined Bruce Boudreau… and he loves it here, which makes it even worse.

Nonetheless, changes need to be made and this Wild team needs a new look. As much as I love Bruce, the team needed a new voice, and now they will get one.

Billy Guerin now gets to pick his own head coach, as he continues to reshape this roster.

The Wild are only 3 points back from a wildcard birth so, while it sure seems like they are going into sell mode… it’s be interesting to see what Guerin does next and how far he goes in breaking down this roster, with a playoff spot still within realistic grasps, with over 20 games left to play.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Guerin: “in a decision like this, it’s never just one thing. I just felt the timing was right.”

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

Guerin felt team needs to go into stretch on a high and needed a new voice. “Last night was a game we should have won.”

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

Darby Hendrickson will go to the bench fulltime next to Dean Evason and Bob Woods #mnwild

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

Guerin: "It’s not about how many goals and assists you have, what you did last game. It’s about winning the game tonight. If somebody’s unhappy with their ice time or lack of production, that’s too bad. The coaches are going to do what they need to do to win the game at hand"

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

Guerin: "I have the highest respect for Bruce. … He’s a good guy and I planned on seeing it through. I came in (as GM) with an open mind and didn’t have a decision made. This was just something that’s been on my mind for a little while and I felt like today was the day."

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020

Stalock, who adores Bruce Boudreau, is really beating himself up for last night’s blown lead. He says he “wears” this

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) February 14, 2020