Well, I don’t know if anyone expected this so early - the Anahiem Ducks have gotten fed up about waiting for Brian Burke to decide on whether he will stay with the Ducks, and frankly told him to sign an extention or give up the job.

And give it up he has, with the previous Senior VP of Hockey Operations Bob Murray taking the helm.

For now, the man who paved the way for the Ducks to have their best thing not in a Mighty Ducks Disney movie happen to them, the 2007 Stanley Cup, will be working as a “special consultant” to the CEO of the franchise, Michael Schulman. Why a consultant? Its a way for the contract to keep rolling, and allow him to talk to other teams (COUGH toronto COUGH) without Gary Bettman going “OMFG!!!! TAMPERING!!!” (though I’m sure a more obvious way of that being true would be if he traded Getzlaf for Blake, haha).

Obviously, here in Toronto we have the entire media assuring us that Burke is a lock to be hired as our president and GM. Some were even shocked the Leafs didn’t counter the 3:30PM press conference with a 4:00 one introducing Burke by webcast or something. There are many reasons to believe this will happen, from the fact we have a senile old man running the show right now who quite frankly obviously wants out, to the fact that Brian wants to get his family moved over to the east coast as he has family from his past relationship in Boston (and I doubt Chiarelli is going anywhere in Beantown).

“Brian respectfully declined our contract exention offer last week. With his support, we decided to make the transition at this time in the best interest of the organization.”, said Schulman

For those wondering where you may know of Bob Murray, he was formerly the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks.

My personal thoughts on this whole ordeal? He’ll be GM of the Leafs by new years. Hell, if Schulman lets him start talking to other teams sooner than the “in a week or so” we’ve heard so far, don’t be too surprised to hear the Leafs have thrown a press conference Friday, and its not because Mats Sundin has added a new condition to his “list of ridiculous things needed to sign me” accord.

Do you think ol’ Burkey will be the next GM of the Leafs? Vote in our new poll!

My eyes are burning from the concentrated WIN involved in this move. See, THIS is the kind of stuff we need for that all start deke competition or whatever they call it from last season…I’m sorry, this is probably just the second best shootout goal ever, if not the best (Datsyuk’s is my #1, personally).