Report: Canucks will NOT negotiate a new contract for Bruce Boudreau

While the Vancouver Canucks came up juuuuuust shy of qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it's clear that this team is on the rise, especially with newly hired coach Bruce Boudreau behind the bench.

The thing is... the Canucks have no official commitment to Boudreau beyond this season and there's been real speculation as to whether or not the team would extend him for next season and beyond. It's believed that the Canucks have an "option" for Boudreau next season, but until today the team nor Boudreau have confirmed this. Today though team President Jim Rutherford admitted that the team and the coach have until June 30th to pick up the option for next season.

Beyond that though, Rutherford and the Canucks are unwilling to commit to Boudreau.

Interestingly enough when Boudreau was asked returning, he gave a coy smile and had this nugget for reporters:

“I think they want me back and I know I want to be back, so I think it will work out.”

- Bruce Boudreau

In all seriousness, the Canucks would be foolish to not bring Boudreau back.

The team essentially made no personnel changes from former head coach Travis Green to Boudreau and they looked like an entirely different team following Boudreau's hiring. It's clear that the players love playing for him and his coaching style fits their playing style very well. You know the old saying, "Don't mess with success," well... if the Canucks were successful under Boudreau, why would they want to mess with that? Sign the guy, get him back behind the bench and lets see what this roster can do with a full season under Boudreau.

Beyond that though is apparently all up in the air...