Nov 25, 2008 - 4:24 PM
0 shoutsTORONTO (Ticker) -- Brian Burke apparently is closing in on landing a new job - with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Burke, who stepped down as the Anaheim Ducks' general manager earlier this month, will be named president and GM of the Maple Leafs as early as this upcoming weekend, according to a report posted Tuesday by TSN of Canada.
Citing an interview with Burke and other unidentified sources, the web site reported that Richard Peddle, president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, began directly negotiating with Burke on Monday night.
Burke told TSN that negotiations have been ongoing.
"It's certainly headed in the right direction," Burke told the web site. "But it's not done yet. I anticipate it will get done, but it's not done."
Burke, who resigned from his position with the Ducks on November 12, had said he wants to return to the East Coast, where he still has children from his first marriage.
Since turning down the Ducks' extension offer, Burke has been linked to the GM post with the Maple Leafs, who fired John Ferguson last January. Cliff Fletcher is serving as the Maple Leafs' interim general manager.
Burke was named executive vice president and general manager of the Ducks in 2005. In his second season in Anaheim, the team won the Stanley Cup, defeating the Ottawa Senators in five games. Anaheim became the first West Coast team to win hockey's most coveted prize.
Prior to his hire with Anaheim, Burke was the president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks for six seasons (1998-2004).
Burke also headed hockey operations for the Canucks from 1987-1992 before leaving to take the general manager's job of the Hartford Whalers.
In 1993, Burke joined the NHL front office as senior vice president and director of hockey operations, serving as the league's chief disciplinarian.
Last month, Burke was named the recipient of the Lester Patrick Award, which recognizes outstanding service to hockey in the United States.
