Where Will Burke End Up?

With the Anaheim Ducks now out of the play-offs, Brian Burke now has some time to think about his future in the NHL. Where will Burke end up next season?

Well, if you believe in the hype coming out of Toronto, Burke will be the new general manager of the Maple Leafs next season, of course all this hype is coming straight out of Toronto, and nowhere else. Hey I’m not saying that there is no possibility of Burke ending up in Toronto, but Burke likes to answer to one person, not a board of directors made up of 5-10 people. It could happen though, if Burke’s demands are met, meaning salary, and to have carte blanche, and be the only one to make decisions when it comes to player personnel, he might bite in Toronto. Burke is exactly what the Leafs need, he would get that franchise back in order.

There is still the possibility that he remains in Anaheim, however, the Ducks did lose in the first round this year, if the Anaheim owners decide that what Burke is asking for is too steep a price after getting knocked out so early, and decide to let him go, well let’s hope for them that they find someone else that is as good as Burke, there aren’t too many of those out there.

Then you have the Vancouver factor. The Vancouver Canucks fired Dave Nonis last week, could they be in the running for Burke too? Don’t forget, the only thing that the Canucks needed when they were good while Burke was there was a goalie, with Luongo there now, Burke would start with what he wasn’t able to obtain when he was in Vancouver. The Vancouver fans also loved what Burke was able to bring to the organization, and Burke in turn, loved being the man in Vancouver.

Ottawa could also be a pit stop for Burke. With the recent collapse of the Ottawa Senators, Brian Burke would put that team back in order in a hurry. Burke would only need a no.1 goalie again.

Those four teams are the front runners in the Burke sweepstakes, there are probably more that have yet to make it public. Toronto is willing to give just about anything to get Burke, and it may work. It doesn’t matter where Burke ends up, being a Harvard graduate, having a law degree, having worked for the NHL, and being a general manager, Burke has the experience in many fields, and will bring what ever city is lucky enough to get him, a good team. Of course, I do hope that he stays out west……