Former Washington Capitals Coach Bruce Boudreau Denies Feud With Alexander Ovechkin

Bruce Boudreau, who was fired by the Washington Capitals Monday, denied reports that he and star player Alexander Ovechkin were feuding, according to ESPN.com. He said that rumors of disagreements between the two were blown out of proportion.

"I have good relationship with him," Ovechkin told the Washington Post Monday. "We have good relationship right away when they bring him in."

Boudreau said that he and Ovechkin spoke by phone Tuesday after Boudreau's firing, and Ovechkin thanked the coach for his time in Washington.

"And I told him I loved him and blah, blah, blah, all the regular stuff," Boudreau said.

Boudreau also was explicit in his denial of a rift between coach and player.