Brian Burke..Ducks next GM?

[GIANTSFAN]

It appears that as soon as the NHL & NHLPA come to an agreement, the official signing of Brian Burke to the Ducks is goin' to be announced. Also, now that the Ducks have a new owner, talk is that the Ducks will be either dropping the "Mighty" or completely changing the name of the team with new uniforms. I sure hope so as I hate the "Mighty" part of the name, & that team has been an embarrasment for almost as long as they have been in the league. It'll be good news if Burkie does get the job, because if anyone can turn around a franchise, he can. It may take several years, but he should be able to do it, & he also desires a tough team, something the Ducks really haven't been. They have had their share of tough guys but it would be nice to see them actually pick up a young willing enforcer & have a coach who will play him. Wait & see....

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by GIANTSFAN

It appears that as soon as the NHL & NHLPA come to an agreement, the official signing of Brian Burke to the Ducks is goin' to be announced. Also, now that the Ducks have a new owner, talk is that the Ducks will be either dropping the "Mighty" or completely changing the name of the team with new uniforms. I sure hope so as I hate the "Mighty" part of the name, & that team has been an embarrasment for almost as long as they have been in the league. It'll be good news if Burkie does get the job, because if anyone can turn around a franchise, he can. It may take several years, but he should be able to do it, & he also desires a tough team, something the Ducks really haven't been. They have had their share of tough guys but it would be nice to see them actually pick up a young willing enforcer & have a coach who will play him. Wait & see....

Good Choice,
An excellent hockey man, he rebuilt Vancouver nicely. The job was between him and Neil Smith from what I understood.
Wasn't Burke also the guy who drafted Pronger for Hartford and was criticized for the pick and Pronger has turned out to be an excellent player.

[peacemaker]

Yep, that was Burkie.
Next to Lamoriello, the best GM in the game IMO.

[O-Gnimh]

The ducks need someone like Burke in the organization VERY badly. I don't know how much more $ he would command than a run of the mill GM, but it would be worth it. The Ducks have never consistently had strong management, and it has shown over the years.

There was also a rumor of a recent NBA GM getting the Ducks position. I don't know anything about that guy, but I can't imagine he would be a better choice than Burke. Anyone know that story? I hope it's not true.

FWIW, I say scrap the whole name and the jerseys - enough teal and water foul already!! Jeez!!

[HordiBrusk29]

Heard on the news tonight that Burke's deal is for 5 years. Supposed to be officially announced in about a week or so when the Ducks new owners are introduced to the media.

[HordiBrusk29]

Report: Ducks to ink Burke to five-year deal

Never one to shy away from controversy, Burke's high-profile style is apparently what the new Ducks owners are looking for.

Sportsnet.ca -- Brian Burke will be hired as general manager of the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, a source familiar with the negotiations told the LA Times.

Burke, who spent five seasons as GM of the Vancouver Canucks, will sign a five-year deal at more than $1 million per year, the paper reports.

The Ducks are expected to announce his hiring at a June 20 news conference, which will also be used to introduce Henry and Susan Samueli as the team's new owners. The Samuelis have agreed to purchase the team from the Walt Disney Co. for $75 million. The LA Times also reports the NHL's approval of the new owners will probably come Wednesday.

According to the Times, Burke beat out Neil Smith for the Anaheim post. Smith led the New York Rangers to the Stanley Cup in 1994 as a GM. But Burke had the backing of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who lobbied the Samuelis, two league sources told the paper.

In six seasons as general manager in Vancouver, Burke built his team on a tight budget. The Canucks made the playoffs the last four seasons, but only advanced past the first round once. Burke's contract was not renewed after the 2003-04 season.

The former Canuck executive will become Anaheim's fourth GM since 2001-02 and is expected to overhaul front office. The contracts on all hockey operations personnel run out this month except for interim GM Al Coates, who has one year left and could remain with the team in another capacity. Coach Mike Babcock and his staff's contracts are also expiring.

Link.

[O-Gnimh]

Exactly as I'd hoped. Now if they let Burke do his thing, Anaheim could become a respectable team.

[bigjack]

Originally Posted by O-Gnimh

Exactly as I'd hoped. Now if they let Burke do his thing, Anaheim could become a respectable team.

Good choice, Burke is old school and a good hockey man.

[arktoshorse]

With the job he did in Vancouver, he will definatley make sweeping changes in Anaheim. Maybe he will bring old school hockey over there?

[Sputnik]

Originally Posted by arktoshorse

Maybe he will bring old school hockey over there?

Sure I hope so!

[Blouin]

It is a good choice for them.

[bigjack]

Neil Smith did bring a cup to NY and I applaud him for that but his drafts were horrible in NY and is the reason the Rangers have sucked for 7 seasons now.
Smith loves to blame NY and the fans as not being willing to sit through a rebuilding period but the truth be told we would and his drafting sucked and he's trying to cover that up.
Look at his last big move, he trades Marc Savard who has ability to draft Pavel Brendl who everyone said don't touch because of his bad attitude and Jamie Lundmark who we are still waiting on and he's done sh*t so far.
Brian Burke was the obvious choice and a good one. Stand back and allow him to rebuild the Ducks!

[devils29]

Good choice for Anaheim.
Let's hope the logo/name/colours is p!ssed off too and given a decent name for once.
Nothing worse than the Mighty Ducks name and logo AND the colours.
IMO the Ducks jersey colours is worse than the Bruins third jersey.

[peacemaker]

Originally Posted by Sputnik

Sure I hope so!

One thing I can assure you is that old school hockey is coming to Anaheim.
Burke loves the big, tough guys as much as any of us on this site. And just as importantly, he hates that trapping, all defence hockey.
I've been a life-long Canuck fan, who has lived and died (mostly died) with the 'Nucks. But, I am one lucky dude to be here in the LA area at a time coinciding with Burke coming in. While the 'Nucks are my team, I have for the first time since the Whalers and Burke parted company, a real 2nd favourite team.

We are all going to enjoy this down here. It may take a couple of years to turn it around...but he'll get to work on it as soon as he's able. If the 'Nucks expose Brookbank (which they may have to do), I'd bet money Anaheim claims him.