Boudreau will return as Ducks coach

As expected, Bruce Boudreau will return for a fourth season as coach of the Ducks, but a member of his staff was fired Tuesday as General Manager Bob Murray concluded player and staff evaluations.

Brad Lauer, an assistant coach responsible for forwards and the power play, was fired after Anaheim finished a surprising 28th in the NHL in powerplay success (15.3%) during the regular season.

Murray explained that his decision was partially made to help reshape the assistant coach’s role.

“We’ve spent the last week evaluating everything from top to bottom, including all player and staff performance,” Murray said in a statement emailed to reporters.