Ducks GM Burke stepping down
Bob Murray, vice president of hockey operations, is expected to become the new general manager.
Brian Burke is expected to announce that he will step down as the Ducks' general manager and be replaced by Bob Murray, currently the team's vice president of hockey operations.
The Ducks have called a 12:30 press conference today to make a "major" announcement related to "the club's general manager."
The quick turnover came after Burke declined a contract extension on Nov. 1, a team source said. He will remain with the team as a consultant.
The move fuels speculation that Burke will be hired by the Toronto Maple Leafs, who sought permission from the Ducks to speak with him last summer. The team source, though, said no team has asked to speak with Burke since that time.
Murray has been with the Ducks since 2005, helping to build a team that won the Stanley Cup in 2007. He had previously worked as scout for Vancouver, when Burke was the Canucks' general manager. Prior to that, he was with the Chicago Blackhawks for 25 seasons and was the team's general manager from 1997 to 1999.
During Burke's three seasons in Anaheim, the Ducks experienced unprecedented success. Besides their Stanley Cup championship, the Ducks reached the Western Conference finals in 2006 and qualified for the playoffs last season, though they were eliminated in the first round by the Dallas Stars.
Teams will be free to contact the Ducks about Burke starting today, and there is believed to be great interest by the Maple Leafs, who have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967.
Foster is a Times staff writer.
Chris.foster@latimes.com
