Burke out as GM of Ducks, Bob Murray takes over

Bob McKenzie
11/12/2008 2:52:17 PM Text Size

Brian Burke is out as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks and senior vice president of hockey operations Bob Murray is in.

Catch the news conference live on TSN.ca starting at 3:30pm et/12:30 pm pt (approx).

Sources tell TSN Burke will remain in a senior advisory capacity with the Ducks for now but that the final word on any hockey operations decisions in Anaheim will be made by Murray. Sources say Burke will, in this advisory capacity, have the ability to freely negotiate future employment opportunities as a GM in the NHL.

That would pave the way for Burke to be hired as president and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the days, weeks or months ahead, if the Leafs and Burke so desire. And there is strong reason to believe that is precisely what will happen.

In any case, it would seem all but certain that Burke will find his way to Toronto as the Leafs' top hockey man.

Sources say this move by Anaheim came very quickly as a result of a meeting last week between Burke and Ducks' CEO Michael Schulman, where Burke made it clear he was not going to sign a contract extension in Anaheim due to family considerations.

It was decided at that point the Ducks would hand over the reins of the team to Murray, the former Chicago Blackhawks' GM who has been working as Burke's right-hand man, and allow Burke an amicable departure that would permit him to explore other employment opportunities.

Although Burke's contract with Anaheim runs through to the end of the season, he is effectively an unrestricted free agent and can begin negotiations as he sees fit.

 

Here's the link: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=255628&lid=headline&lpos=topStory_main

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Heard there is a good chance he may end up in Boston.











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And watch, the first thing Burke will do in Toronto is hire Pierre Maguire as his head coach..... just like he did back in Hartford.

Burke only takes over teams when they are close to being a contender. He messed up a good up-and-coming team in Vancouver then took over Pierre Gauthier's masterpiece in Anaheim - makes a deal for Pronger that was forced - and then takes credit for "building" a champion.

Burke only talks a good game but he should keep the media minions in Toronto passified with quality post-game quotes for several years to come.

As long as the teachers have control of the Leafs,it does not matter who the GM is in Toronto!

Telus would like to purchase MLSE but the selling price is almost 2 billion dollars. Burke said he would only come to Toronto if he was giving the power to do whatever he liked when the assets leaving or coming to Toronto did not go above 5 million. When it reaches 5 million the ownership would need his approval.

I was under the impression that the Ducks Cup winning team was Bryan Murray's masterpiece. Either way, Burke inherited a winner and the only "significant" trade he made to that team was adding Brad May.

Also, please, keep Pierre Maguire way the hell away from the Leafs. He makes my ears bleed.

Haha, Pierre Maguire behind the bench is a good one. Could you imagine if they had him mic'ed up? I don't think he'll be back in the NHL coaching again, I think his heart is now with broadcasting.

But about Burke, I can't see him not going to Toronto. He's got all his TSN buddies here, and it would be a great place for him to be the Wizard of Oz, just comb his hair, put a white shirt on him, and wheel him in front of the cameras, and he'll say anything the media wants him to say.