Ducks coach Boudreau on contract extension: 'It certainly means a lot'

With one year remaining on his contract, Bruce Boudreau signed a two-year extension Wednesday with the Anaheim Ducks that will keep him behind the club's bench through the end of the 2016-17 NHL season.

Boudreau was pleased to have some measure of assurance from Ducks management, especially after a disappointing exit from the 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs at the hands of the Los Angeles Kings.

“It certainly means a lot," Boudreau said, per the Los Angeles Times. "It means the Ducks organization has faith in me in leading this team and that’s important going forward, the knowledge of that.

“People are expecting more from us. We expect more from ourselves. It’s going to be an interesting preseason, going right through the whole season.”

Boudreau coached the Ducks to a 54-20-8 record last season, and Anaheim's 116 points ranked second only to the Boston Bruins atop the NHL standings. 

That regular season success, coupled with the addition of Ryan Kesler, among other moves, served to heighten expectations for the club. The Ducks are certainly hoping that Boudreau will guide the team to the type of postseason success that justifies the faith they've showed in him.