The news that Brian Burke, the Ducks' former general manager, was set to take over the Toronto Maple Leafs hardly sent shock waves through the Anaheim dressing room.
Burke, who turned down a contract extension offer from the Ducks and stepped down two weeks ago, will be formally announced as the Maples Leafs' president and general manager Saturday.
"That has been quite removed from what we're going through," Ducks defenseman Scott Niedermayer said when asked whether the announcement brought the Ducks closure. "There won't be any more talk about it. I don't believe it has been an issue for the players."
The Ducks reached the 2006 Western Conference finals in Burke's first season and won the Stanley Cup the next year.
Asked about Burke's new job, Ducks Coach Randy Carlyle smiled and said, "Brian who?" He added, "Obviously, this is good for Brian. . . . From a personal standpoint, I owe him a lot. He gave me my first opportunity to coach in the NHL."
Ducks Chief Executive Michael Schulman said in a statement, "On behalf of the entire Anaheim Ducks family, we would once again like to thank Brian for his tremendous contributions over the last three-plus seasons."
Not boxed out
The Ducks hardly seemed to be themselves in a 1-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. They didn't parade to the penalty box.
The Blackhawks had only two power plays, the fewest the Ducks have given up this season.
"That's what we need to do out there," Niedermayer said. "You're not going to win hockey games giving up too many power plays. We have wanted to improve and, hopefully, we're on the way to doing that."
The Ducks have given up a league-high 133 power plays this season. Their penalty-killing unit ranks 23rd out of 30 teams.
"That has been a huge issue with our group," Carlyle said. "It has cost us, not only in games, but in wearing down our people. We use our checking line exclusively on the penalty kill and it adds up."
Getzlaf's near-gaffe
Ryan Getzlaf scored the game's only goal 15 minutes into the second period Friday, but it took him two tries.
Corey Perry's slick cross-ice pass left Getzlaf looking at an open net. He shanked his first attempt but quickly reached back and knocked in a backhand try.
"The puck went through a couple of legs and I was able to get a skate on it," Getzlaf said. "It was bouncing and I just swung at it. Luckily, I got enough of it that it went in."
Sutherby closer
Forward Brian Sutherby, out four games because of a groin injury, will make the three-game trip that begins Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Sutherby has skated the last two days.
Foster is a Times staff writer.
chris.foster@latimes.com
