[blueandwhite]

from the toronto star:
The Leafs will seek to get formal permission this week and begin wooing Burke immediately.The 52-year-old executive, who said "if you're Catholic, this is the Vatican" in reference to the Leafs job several months ago, has a year left on his contract with Anaheim. Sources suggest, however, that if the Ducks were to try to block him from at the very least talking to Toronto, he would refuse to sign a new deal and would leave at the conclusion of next season.
Burke's wife is a television host in Vancouver and the couple has children aged 4 and 2...
The always blunt, hard-nosed Burke would hit Toronto like a hurricane, making both friends and enemies in a hurry and create frequent gusts of controversy. What's unclear, however, is whether the MLSE board is willing to throw big bucks at him and promise not to meddle in major hockey decisions. Ferguson, for example, couldn't fire Paul Maurice or try to trade Mats Sundin without board permission and Burke would never agree to that.
"The board would get to meet with him twice a year and that's it," a source said. "It would have to be in the contract."

the MLSE board screwed up the Bowman possiblity so we'll see if they behave now. burke has been a constant rumour in TO.

[blueandwhite]

he wanted to - but Anaheim played their cards. They told him he's staying put in calif. for the last year of his contract and will allow no discussion.
So much for that Big Fish. Apparently Burke was interested but is still bound to the Ducks. People are saying he will skedaddle out of there at the end of next season. Can leafs wait?
Some sources are saying Fletcher will become the GM. Leafs need a strong, no bulls**t, respected GM NOW.

[glenn]

Burke doesn't reveal much in his press conferences but I think it's a safe bet that he'll be in T.O in 09-10.

[blueandwhite]

That's what i think too - Fletcher stays on for next season as GM and then steps over to let Burke take it on the season after.