Ducks fire Bruce Boudreau

Bruce Boudreau has suffered his last heartbreak in Anaheim.

The Ducks announced Friday, two days after their fourth consecutive loss in a Game 7 on home ice, that they relieved Boudreau of his head coaching duties.

The fastest coach to 400 wins, Boudreau's time in Anaheim ends with four consecutive division titles, and a sparkling 208-104-40 record. But for all his regular-season success, which includes another 200 wins in five seasons as the Washington Capitals' head coach, Boudreau has guided his ultra-talented teams past the second round once, and hasn't reached a Stanley Cup Final.

His success, though, which includes organizing both the league's top power play and penalty kill, and also his ability to completely reshape the Ducks' scheme on the fly this season, will ensure he's not out of the game for very long. Fans and pundits alike are already linking him to the vacant Ottawa Senators job.

General manager Bob Murray, who many thought was also vulnerable, released this statement:

"I would like to thank Bruce for his hard work and dedication to the franchise. This was a very difficult decision to make. Bruce is a good coach and character person, and we wish him the best of luck in the future."

Murray will presumably be charged with finding Boudreau's successor, but he isn't in a rush.

"I'm not in a hurry whatsoever," Murray said. "Yesterday, I met with the family. We had talked the night before after the game. I went down to San Diego, and I just decided, in fairness to Bruce, that this has to happen now."