Ducks move on, with holes to fill

Recalling the cap squeeze, Burke backtracked a step.

"It's not that Bob Murray is inheriting a walk through the park," Burke said.

More like a stroll along a narrow cliff.

Burke's departure was inevitable from the moment last season he left a lucrative extension on the table, hesitant to continue commuting between coasts to see the four children from his first marriage and the two young children from his second marriage.

It's best that he handed over the keys to the company car and executive washroom 17 games into the Ducks' season than if he had let the question linger. The perils of uncertainty were illustrated by last season's team, which was undermined by speculation over Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne's extended post-Cup sabbaticals.

"I think some ways it's going to help the team. We can move on with that," Selanne said.

"We kind of knew that Brian was probably going to have other challenges coming up, and what he's done for this organization is unbelievable."

The Ducks have taken on Burke's personality. He likes fast, physical hockey and the Ducks have always been willing -- often too willing -- to take the body and sometimes take a penalty. His coups were signing Niedermayer, who wanted to play alongside brother Rob, and acquiring Pronger, who has caused opponents headaches with his ruthless hits and given the Ducks a few headaches with his many suspensions.

The Ducks are unapologetic about being combative, just as Burke is -- and was -- during a silly war of words he initiated with Edmonton GM Kevin Lowe after Lowe lured Dustin Penner away from Anaheim with a rich offer sheet.

Burke was sometimes blustery, sometimes defiant, but he made sure his players looked beyond themselves and became involved in the community. He wasn't always successful but he never was dull.

"Burkie's not someone that's easily lost," said Ryan Getzlaf, a franchise cornerstone. "He's done an excellent job here."

Now he moves on to the next job, leaving Murray big sandals to fill.

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helene.elliott@latimes.com