Canucks, head coach Boudreau in talks as June 1 deadline approaches for extension

A 57-game sample size was not big enough for Vancouver Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford to commit to a contract extension for head coach Bruce Boudreau.

"We would be willing to have him back under the contract that he agreed to when he came here," said Rutherford at the Canucks' season-ending media availability on Tuesday. "That's certainly not to say that at the end of next year we wouldn't want him back if he continues to do the job he's doing.

"I just feel as good a job as he's done, it wasn't a full season."

The Canucks started the 2021-22 campaign with a record of 8-15-2 before then-coach Travis Green and general manager Jim Benning were fired in early December. Team owner Francesco Aquilini immediately hired Boudreau before Rutherford came on board a few days later.

"In our agreement, both sides have until June 1," Rutherford explained about the timeline on a decision for Boudreau's future. "Our talks with him have been very positive. He's well aware that we appreciate and respect the job he's done. We explained to him why we're doing it the way we're doing it, and why we want him back."

Under Boudreau, the Canucks posted a record of 32-15-10, a 106-point pace over a full 82-game season. They remained in the playoff hunt until the final week of the regular season, ultimately finishing five points out of a wild-card playoff spot.

But while the team showed promise, Rutherford was unflinching in his assessment that more changes are needed.

"We'd like to see our team play a more structured game and not depend on our goalie as much," he said. "But we certainly feel that there are enough good players here to continue to build here in the next year or two toward getting to be a consistent playoff team