Ducks Trade Rumors

"As anyone who's seen an Oliver Stone movie can tell you, it's now clear that Wednesday's TSN report was the first act in a sequence of events which will inevitably lead to Brian Burke and Dave Nonis reuniting in Toronto to run the Maple Leafs. I mean, who would argue differently? The crack management team at Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment has long since targeted Burke as the man who would be king of their empire. Nonis, his close confederate and former first lieutenant with the Vancouver Canucks, has recently been made available amid an equally interesting set of circumstances. Put it all together and the inescapable conclusion is Nonis has been approached to serve as a caretaker GM in Toronto while Burke completes the last year of his contract with the Anaheim Ducks."

"Burke insists his future with the Ducks has nothing to do with money and everything to do with family issues. But if he does sign an extension in Anaheim, he'll be a rich man, because the Maple Leafs reportedly were poised to offer a five-year contract in the $23 million neighborhood."

"Many theories have been put forth about the abrupt halt in the Maple Leafs' pursuit of Brian Burke, including a rumour that the National Hockey League interceded to keep him in Anaheim for the final year of his contract."

"The announcement Wednesday that Brian Burke would be returning to the Anaheim Ducks for the last year on his contract struck us as being, well, somewhat academic."

"General Manager Brian Burke, the man who put the final major pieces together for the team's championship run the previous season, is expected to be aggressively courted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the coming days to run their team. In a season-ending news conference at the Honda Center, Burke would not say whether the interest is mutual."

"Foremost among the uncertainty is the status of General Manager Brian Burke, who Tuesday addressed persistent reports out of Canada that the Toronto Maple Leafs will target him to take on the same role with the proud but struggling Original Six franchise."

"Brian Burke said nothing yesterday to quell speculation he may be Toronto bound as the next general manager of the Maple Leafs."

"Burke couldn't give a straight answer because as much as he likes to slag media in these parts about unfounded rumours, he knows darn well he is at the top of the Maple Leafs' list to become the new hockey boss for a franchise that has become synonymous with embarrassing failure."

" The worst-kept secret in Toronto hockey will be front and centre today when lawyer Gord Kirke makes his presentation to the board of directors of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. In that meeting, Brian Burke of the Anaheim Ducks will be revealed as the two-man search committee's candidate of choice to become the next president and general manager of the Maple Leafs. "

"Although they ultimately returned to play this year after contemplating retirement, star defenseman Scott Niedermayer and speedy forward Teemu Selanne will initially spend time sorting out their futures. Burke has said he will not give the players an open-ended period to make up their mind and both players seem to believe they will be able to make decisions shortly."

"The Ducks are having talks with General Manager Brian Burke about a contract extension amid increasing speculation that the Toronto Maple Leafs have targeted him for the same job in their organization."

" Burke, who has one year remaining on his deal in Anaheim -- with a five-year extension on the table but as yet unsigned -- has not expressed an interest in the Toronto job at this point. But the speculation is out there, and as long as the job remains unfilled his name will be connected to it."

"Brian Burke appears to be on the fast track to become the Leafs' next general manager. The board of directors of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, at a meeting later this week, will be presented with a list of priorities for the hockey club. "

" There may be 23 million reasons Brian Burke is seriously contemplating leaving his post with the defending Stanley Cup champions for the crazy challenge of running the Maple Leafs. That's the figure kicking around the hockey world that is expected to lure Burke from the Anaheim Ducks for the opportunity to rebuild the moribund Maple Leafs. "

"There was good news and bad news for the Toronto Maple Leafs Monday, according to sources close to club owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. The bad news was there will be no news conference Tuesday to announce that Anaheim Ducks general manager Brian Burke is the new general manager of the Maple Leafs. There may not even be one next week."

"If Niedermayer and Selanne return, they will be expected to skate from Day 1. Burke will try to find room within the cap for more scoring. But then everyone in Toronto seems to think Burke will become the Maple Leafs’ Messiah. If that happens, what becomes of Carlyle?"

"Neither Niedermayer nor Selanne, each of whom joined the team late this season after having flirted with retirement, was ready to commit one way or the other regarding next season."

"We interrupt this regularly scheduled programming – otherwise known as the Stanley Cup playoffs – for the Maple Leafs' pursuit of Brian Burke. It begins today. Officially, that is. Unless Gord Kirke has presented the MLSE board with an entirely different game plan, Burke has been the No.1 target of the Leafs since John Ferguson was fired in January and he's still the No.1 target."

"One of the funniest ongoing soap operas surrounding the changes enveloping the Vancouver Canucks is the saga of Fabian Brunnstrom, the allegedly much sought after Swedish Elite League forward looking to jump to the NHL... What's even more amusing is that now we're told by TSN than his now apparent destination is the Toronto Maple Leafs, another team where it is felt he might have a chance to play on the top six. But they have no GM or by extension coach either, right? They have exactly the same situation as Vancouver, unless it's already wired Brian Burke is going there and Nonis is going to be his right-hand man? We can't believe that."

"The possibility that Brian Burke might – just might – become the next general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs is slowly moving into place. What was once a long shot is now possible thanks to a few happy coincidences."

"With Dave Nonis out as Vancouver's general manager, the rumours have already started that Brian Burke (photo) will return to Lotusland to head up the Canucks. Hey, wait a minute, isn't he supposed to be coming to Toronto to resuscitate the Maple Leafs? Something is surely afoul for the Ducks executive."

"The Vancouver Canucks responded to missing the NHL playoff for the second time in three seasons by firing general manager Dave Nonis yesterday... Speculation on Nonis's successor will immediately turn to former Canucks general manager Brian Burke, whose wife works in the Vancouver media."

"At this rate, Brian Burke will be in Toronto by the end of the month. Or the week. Burke's Ducks, it's fair to say, have laid two enormous eggs so far in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and now have to win at least four of the next five against a Dallas team that appears motivated and hungry to keep the chances of a repeat alive."

"The assumption in hockey circles is that Brian Burke is all but certain to be the next GM of the Maple Leafs. That's nice. It's just not quite so certain at this time. The truth is, the Leafs have not yet spoken to Burke, period. And now more Burke rumours circulate, about him having interest in returning to Vancouver."

"Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke, who had distanced himself from Leafs talk all winter, caused ripples of excitement last week by upgrading his status to "remote." But expect Peddie and sports lawyer Gord Kirke to wait until all playoff teams end their season before discontinuing their search."

"Fletcher said the candidates who are under contract to other NHL teams will not be contacted until their teams are out of the playoffs. Since the front-runners are Brian Burke of the Anaheim Ducks and Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings, Leaf fans will undoubtedly take an unusually keen interest in the Western Conference playoffs."

"Niedermayer ultimately put off retirement for at least the balance of this season and will lead the Ducks against the Kings on Wednesday at Honda Center. He is hoping for another lengthy postseason run. Beyond that, there remains uncertainty about Niedermayer's hockey future, or lack thereof."

" Interim general manager Cliff Fletcher added some validity to recent speculation that the top candidates for the full time Leafs president/GM's job might very well be working for another team right now. No, he did not mention Brian Burke, Ken Holland or anyone else by name. "

"The Ducks have been heavy players in just about every rumor emanating from seemingly everywhere in this out-of-control Internet age, with everyone from Mats Sundin to Olli Jokinen to Rob Blake supposedly being headed to Anaheim at one time or another. Reality is something else again."

"It's believed the Ducks, Dallas Stars, Calgary Flames and Minnesota Wild all have made a pitch for Florida captain Olli Jokinen, who is being shopped. The Stars have been among the most aggressive because co-GM Brett Hull wants to make a big move at the deadline. Jokinen might not be opposed to a deal... Talk won't go away that Calgary left winger Alex Tanguay will be dealt to Montreal for right winger Michael Ryder... There has been little talk about Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Ryan Malone, who's eligible to become an unrestricted free agent July 1."

"Maybe the Ducks wouldn't be interested in Antropov. But trying to get that pick is the point, possibly giving the Leafs two of the top four selections. Then you're in business, plus it gives everyone another story to chew on other than the will-Mats-return-or-won't-he story that's sure to dominate the call-in shows for the next four months. If Anaheim says no, there's Montreal – if a deal for Hossa falls through, Chris Higgins and a first-rounder will be available – or San Jose or Vancouver or New Jersey."

"Earlier lobbying for Richards by teams such as Columbus and Philadelphia might pay off (the Jackets could offer him a spot on a line with Rick Nash and Nikolai Zherdev), but expect stronger Cup contenders such as Anaheim to get involved by today. One or both of Ottawa and Montreal, which seemed set to face off over Hossa, could change gears and pursue Richards."

"While the Ducks and Wings are waiting to see if Mats Sundin will agree to be dealt, sources say Anaheim GM Brian Burke has made a pitch to the Florida Panthers for Olli Jokinen and has also likely spoken with the Tampa Bay Lightning about Vaclav Prospal... The Calgary Flames are interested in Sundin, but don't want to pay the outrageous asking price ."

"I am insinuating nothing. I am implying nothing. But if Anaheim GM Brian Burke sends a package of major prospects to the Maple Leafs in order to rent Mats Sundin and then Burke becomes Toronto GM over the summer - the man doth protest his lack of interest way too much - while Sundin returns to Toronto next season, well, how exactly will that look?"

"General Manager Brian Burke said he won't have any more discussion with Ducks CEO Michael Schulman on a contract extension until after Tuesday's trade deadline at the earliest."

"But that could change if the Ducks, as many have speculated, continue their pursuit of such targets as Kings defenseman Rob Blake, Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin or Atlanta Thrashers winger Marian Hossa if they become available."

"Cliff Fletcher has been given a mandate to clean up the mess in Toronto but, apparently is looking for a king's ransom if he is going to ask captain Mats Sundin to waive his no-trade clause before next Tuesday's trade deadline... The talk is Detroit, San Jose, Anaheim, Vancouver, Montreal and Dallas have all shown an interest in Sundin."

"The Bruins, Rangers, Senators, Ducks, Sharks and Flyers have all made a pitch for D Brian Campbell, who the Sabres would prefer to keep... Devils D Karel Rachunek is about to be dealt. He was a healthy scratch yesterday vs. the Hurricanes."

"Five places Marian Hossa could end up if he is traded by the Thrashers: 1. Detroit: Waddell is close with Detroit GM Ken Holland and the Red Wings have the depth to pull it off. And the pressure to do so."

"The NHL set up a media conference call Wednesday afternoon with four general managers — Atlanta's Don Waddell, Anaheim's Brian Burke, Philadelphia's Paul Holmgren and Detroit's Ken Holland — to address the buildup to the general managers' meetings in Florida next week. Waddell answered a range of questions, although most centered on his plans for Marian Hossa. He echoed his stance that the priority is to sign Hossa to a contract extension and that there is no deadline to get a deal done."

"Ducks General Manager Brian Burke said he was among many who were interested in center Peter Forsberg, but the injury-plagued Swedish star ruled out Anaheim as a destination as he tries to return to the NHL... Burke said there was nothing to a Canadian Broadcasting Co. report Saturday that he was looking at acquiring Kings defenseman Rob Blake. "

"Ducks GM Brian Burke, his club rumored to be on Rob Blake's wish list if the Kings opt to trade the veteran backliner, was in the building . . ."

"In this case, 'right' is likely code for Detroit, a club that could win it without Sundin, and one that becomes a prohibitive favorite if he has the Winged Wheel on his chest. The Ducks could become instant co-favorites to repeat if Sundin went to Anaheim, where the image of him feeding Teemu Selanne borders on the obscene."

"Applause could be heard from NHL Players' Association headquarters in Toronto after Senators defenceman Wade Redden refused to waive his no-trade clause... Let's make one thing clear: Anaheim GM Brian Burke has said he won't be going to the Maple Leafs. But that doesn't mean the Leafs' GM search committee won't try to speak to Burke. The talk is the Leafs recently interviewed former Penguins GM Craig Patrick for the job."

" Reports from across the league are trickling in. Peter Forsberg has apparently said thanks but no thanks to Dallas, Nashville, Detroit, Pittsburgh, San Jose and Calgary. Unofficially, that would leave Philadelphia , Colorado, Anaheim, Vancouver, Chicago and Ottawa still in the running for the Swedish star's services. "

"The Ducks are believed to be among the contending teams interested in Toronto center Mats Sundin, who could be dealt by the Maple Leafs if he chooses to waive his no-trade clause. Another choice rental could be Atlanta winger Marian Hossa if he doesn't re-sign with the team, but the Thrashers are still in the hunt for the Southeast Division title."

" And on almost every radio show, newspaper article or television panel debating the issue, Rutherford's name invariably has come up along with those of Anaheim's Brian Burke and Detroit's Ken Holland. "It's flattering that I would be mentioned like that," the Carolina Hurricanes general manager said yesterday from Raleigh, where his team will play host to the Maple Leafs tonight at the RBC Center. "There is no doubt (the Leafs) are one of the most storied franchises in the league. "

"Well of course Brian Burke made it clear he's not salivating at the chance to manage the Maple Leafs. What else could he possibly have said?"

" Brian Burke doth protest too much. As the perfect candidate to become the next president and general manager of the Maple Leafs, he can object all he wants to innuendoes he has interest in the position."

"Teemu Selanne gave the strongest indication yet that he may come out of semi-retirement when he said Friday there's a 'very good chance' he'll return to play for the Ducks."