A bit of a stunner in the hockey world as the Toronto Maple Leafs today fired President and general manager Brian Burke 10 days before the season, per multiple reports.
Burke took over as Toronto’s GM in 2008 and has no playoff appearances to show for. Under Burke the Leafs went 128-135-42 in nearly 4 seasons. However, many believed he would last this season, especially with the way he represented Maple Leafs ownership in CBA negotiations, a sign that his job security appeared safe.
Guess it wasn’t.
The Leafs have not made the playoffs since 2004 and enter this season as a borderline playoff team.
A huge knock on Burke had been his inability to find a No. 1 goaltender. The team, though, has been widely connected to goaltender Roberto Luongo in trade talks leading into this season.