It didn't take long for the Ducks to get an answer to the biggest question facing them in the wake of the team's first-round Stanley Cup playoff ouster at the hands of the Dallas Stars. General manager Brian Burke will return next season.
With speculation centering on Burke as a possibility to take the general manager's job in Toronto, uncertainty ruled after Burke said April 22 that he didn't know whether he'd be around for the beginning of training camp in September. That changed the next day, when the Ducks announced that Burke would fulfill the final season remaining on a four-year contract he signed in 2005.
A meeting with Ducks chief executive officer Michael Schulman sealed the deal.
"Based on my meeting with Mike Schulman, I'd say that absolutely I'll be back next year," Burke said. "I signed a four-year deal. I intend to honor that deal, and I intend to work in good faith toward a contract extension.
"(Schulman's) feeling, and I certainly have to agree, is that the speculation about where I might be going or what I might be doing was probably adversely affecting our hockey team. We agreed that the best thing for the Ducks is to end this media speculation, focus on the remaining year of my contract and move forward."
Burke has long been vocal about his professional happiness in Anaheim, and his affinity for Ducks owners Henry and Susan Samueli, but there are personal factors that could eventually motivate him to move East.
"I didn't like the direction it was going, and thought we should make some definite statement," Schulman said. "Now that the season is over, with the stories that came out, and the need for us to sign some of our key players and possibly some other key players, having the issue of who was going to be the general manager in doubt hurt our club."
Schulman expressed optimism that the parties can find a way around Burke's family situation and reach terms on a new contract.
"I want to take as much time as is needed to work out the issues we have," Schulman said. "I think this is something that can be worked out. I have a lot of ideas."
SEASON HIGHLIGHT Once the Ducks had all their pieces in place, after the return to the lineup of right wing Teemu Selanne on Feb. 5, they went 20-5-1 down the stretch. The strong finish enabled the Ducks to record a 102-point regular season, their second consecutive record of 100-plus points, and secure fourth place in the Western Conference and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
TURNING POINT Coach Randy Carlyle pointed to the club's final two regular-season games, meaningless contests against Los Angeles and Phoenix after the Ducks had secured their place in the final NHL standings. While the Ducks won both games, they apparently created, or furthered, some bad habits that cost them dearly when they dropped their opening two playoff games, at home, to Dallas. Despite a road victory in Game 3, the Ducks were unable to overcome the 2-0 series deficit.
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I am sick and tired of watching this team make fools of themselves in this series. We don't belong here we don't deserve to win. Giguere is an absolute JOKE and a BUST for this playoff run. How can he look at himself in the mirror knowing he gave up freakin 14 goals in 4 games??? How could Randy C. keep him in?? Just mail it in on game 5, you will anyway, and try and
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That first game was an utter disaster. They played so well for the first 10 minutes and then seemingly fell a part out of no where. I thought that was the best opening 10 minutes they played all year. The penalty kill KILLED us, 4 power play goals for the Stars is horrible. They never really got a quality shot on Gi
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I told you they would mail it in for game 5. Same old stuff from this team, for game 5. Poor defense, weak offense, dumb penalties, and a zillion turnovers. At least they were able to avoid a sweep and win a few games. By the way, I think I saw Doug Weight's picture on a carton of milk. H
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How do you guys feel? I mean down 0-2 whats happening? Do you want 2 repeat or not? I really dont care CAUSE U WONT WIN ANYWAY but i just thought i'd ask.
How do you guys feel? I mean down 0-2 whats happening? Do you want 2 repeat or not? I really dont care CAUSE U WONT WIN ANYWAY but i just thought i'd ask.
as a wings fan I really don't like the Ducks much by any stretch of the imagination..however, did anyone see that wrap around goal by selanne that was called no goal? can you say makeup call? I don't even like the ducks but that one was pretty clear even to me that it was a goal.
This has been a difficult year for the Ducks, they have been up and down and scoring is a problem along with a lapse in defense at points. While the Ducks showed lapses last year, they were intimidating the whole time were this year they were intimidating basically when they won and that was it. Here are my viewpoints and pr
Forget the weak forecheck, the lackluster offense, and terrible penalty kill I know the real reason the Ducks lost last night. The worst pregame show/psych up in Ducks playoff history. Flags carried by the jr. ducks?, the "I want it all" song?, the "do u want it, do you need it" song? Really? I mean come on could you
So let me get this straight. He cries and whines like a baby because Kevin Lowe signs penner to a monster deal, a huge raise from 400,000 a year to 5 plus million a year. He throws the biggest fit ever , even wants to fight lowe... will never speak to him again, and futhermore won't even speak to him regarding trade propo
The Pronger Stomping says it all. Pronger is the dirtiest player in the league. Pronger should be suspended for at least 10 games, Simon got 30, and i am not saying that Prongers was as bad as Simons, but he deserves a suspension.
I don't know if anyone remembers when Pronger was playing the falmes and he stomped on Ville Neiminen's skate, he has gotten away with this before, he needs to be
