Wild’s Boudreau eighth coach to be fired in league in ’19-20
Bruce Boudreau became the eighth NHL coach to be fired in 2019-20 when Minnesota let him go, matching the league record for coaching changes in a season.
The 65-year-old was in his fourth season with the Wild, who are 27-23-7 and three points out of a playoff spot after going 7-3-1 in their past 11 games. Boudreau, who previously coached Anaheim and Washington, has led his teams to 10 playoff berths in 12 seasons. Assistant Dean Evason, 55, was named interim coach.
Oilers: The league suspended right wing Zack Kassian seven games — his fourth ban in 518 NHL games — for kicking Tampa Bay defenseman Erik Cernak in the chest Thursday, and the 29-year-old will forfeit $166,463 as a repeat offender.
Blues: Defenseman Jay Bouwmeester,
36, had surgery Friday to insert a defibrillator to restore his heart’s normal rhythm after collapsing on St. Louis’ bench Tuesday.