It is one of the hockey world's worst kept secrets.
NHL insiders from all over have been reporting this past week that the struggling Vancouver Canucks are on the verge of getting rid of head coach Bruce Boudreau to replace him with TNT pundit Rick Tocchet.
The shakedown is expected to take place today or at the very latest tomorrow, which means that tonight's game against the Edmonton Oilers is probably the last thing Boudreau does in Vancouver before he gets his foot.
Then Vancouver's fans took the opportunity to pay tribute to the 68-year-old.
Signs had been made, chants were shouted and there was applause.
After the game, a teary-eyed Boudreau remained behind the bench in the booth and thanked the fans with a hand on his heart.
"Emotional evening"
After the game, several players came into his office to say goodbye and several players, like himself, were in tears.
- This was an emotional evening, we all care about Bruce and have all the respect in the world for him, says team captain Bo Horvat and continues:
- It shows what kind of person Bruce is.
We all care about him and we tried to win for him tonight.
We fought until the final whistle for Bruce, but unfortunately we were not enough.
It can't have been an easy night for him given the circumstances.
As a player, I have never experienced a similar situation.
I don't think any of my teammates have either.
Edmonton won the match 4–2.
Elias Pettersson played until one of Vancouver's goals.