Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers acknowledged that rumors of head coach Bruce Boudreau's imminent firing impacted his team's performance for the first time during Friday's 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
"It kinda seems like the mindset and the mood got to us tonight," Myers told reporters postgame. "You can tell guys are down. It's not easy times right now, a lot going on. Gotta find a way to stay positive and keep working."
Prior to becoming a Canuck, Myers suited up for the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. Despite his wealth of experience navigating high-pressure markets, Myers said the speculation surrounding Boudreau's job status over the past couple of weeks is "the most noise" he's experienced in his career.
"It's hard to know what to want right now," Myers said when asked if he wants the other shoe to drop so the team can move on. "Honestly, I haven't thought about that much at all, just trying to keep everyone in a good mood. ... We have a chance tomorrow night to get things moving back in a positive manner. That's what our main focus should be."
Not all the noise during Friday's clash was negative.
Fans at Rogers Arena regaled Boudreau with supportive chants of "Bruce, there it is." The veteran bench boss was choked up by the warm reception and tapped his heart.
Canucks faithful first started the chant when Boudreau took over behind the bench in December 2021. Vancouver rattled off seven straight wins to begin his tenure last season.
"Bruce there it is!" chants in Vancouver as Bruce Boudreau gets emotional behind the bench 🥹 #Canucks pic.twitter.com/M1xzsZUY8b
— Tim and Friends (@timandfriends) January 21, 2023
"Oh, it's unbelievable," Boudreau said of Friday's moving moment. "I've only been here a year, but it'll go down in my memory books out of the 48 years I've played and coached as the most incredible thing I've experienced on a personal level - other than winning championships, of course. It's very touching."
Boudreau noticed his team looked "a little disenchanted at times" against the reigning Stanley Cup champions. The shots were even at 29 apiece, but Colorado ultimately pulled away after scoring three times - including two power-play markers - in the second period.
It's been widely reported that Rick Tocchet is in line to replace Boudreau behind the bench. Boudreau was too emotional prior to Friday's contest to reflect on what it means to be an NHL coach, but he had more to say after the game.
"I'm really passionate about it," Boudreau said. "This is what I've done my whole life from the time I could walk until now. ... It's everything. When everything is finally over, you're gonna miss it like crazy, so those are the things you think about."
Vancouver will take on the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
