New coach Boudreau: Wild will be my last stop

6:51 PM ET

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Bruce Boudreau’s teams have been remarkably consistent and successful over nearly a decade on the bench in the NHL.

They’ve also had a history of early exits from the playoffs. Otherwise, the 61-year-old coach would not have been available to the Minnesota Wild.

Though the Wild have qualified for the postseason four straight times, this is a bunch that is badly in need of stability after several years of sudden sharp turns along the chase for a championship.

“They need a different voice,” general manager Chuck Fletcher said, “and Bruce’s experience, as well as his tremendous passion for the game and his hockey IQ, I believe will allow him to push this group to heights they haven’t been to yet.”

Bruce Boudreau, who is known as much for his regular season successes as his postseason failures, says the Minnesota Wild will be “the last place I’m going,” AP Photo/Jim Mone

Fletcher said he tried not to “over-think” the decision once Boudreau became available following his firing by Anaheim. He has the highest winning percentage among active NHL coaches, with eight division titles in nine years beginning with Washington in 2007-08. As fans of the Ducks and Capitals would quickly mention, of course, Boudreau has won only five series in the playoffs. His Game 7 record is 1-7, with all the losses coming on home ice.

“Hey, I’m fully aware. I’ve been in the business for over 40 years. I know the way this works, and we’re in a winning business so you have to win,” said Boudreau, who has a four-year contract.

Fletcher, who fired Todd Richards after two seasons and Mike Yeo more than halfway into his fifth, also …

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