Saying they wanted a change in leadership, the Toronto
Maple Leafs have fired president and general manager Brian Burke.
   
The NHL club has appointed Dave Nonis the team's new general
manager.
   
Nonis was Burke's second-in-command in Toronto. The two have a
long history after working together in Vancouver before coming to
the Leafs.
   
The news comes just days before the lockout-shortened season is
about to begin.
   
Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment president Tom Anselmi made
the announcement today. He says Burke will remain with the Leafs as
a senior adviser.
   
Burke held the Leafs job for just over four years. The team
missed the playoffs in every season under his watch.
   
The Maple Leafs are coming off a disappointing 13th-place finish
in the Eastern Conference.
   
They made a head coaching change late last season, hiring Randy
Carlyle to replace Ron Wilson.
   
Before being named GM and team president in November 2008, Burke
spent three-plus seasons managing the Anaheim Ducks and guided them
to a Stanley Cup win in 2007.
   
He also previously served in the NHL front office as senior
vice-president and director of hockey operations and as general
manager of the Vancouver Canucks and Hartford Whalers. The
57-year-old Providence, R.I., native was also GM of the 2010 U.S.
Olympic men's hockey team.
   
He arrived in Toronto as a somewhat divisive figure. Some fans
hailed him as the saviour of the franchise, while others worried he
wouldn't be capable of rebuilding a team that hasn't appeared in a
playoff game since 2004.
   
Burke wasn't afraid to make some big moves during his time with
the Maple Leafs.
   
He landed Dion Phaneuf in a seven-player deal with Calgary in
2010 and the defenceman was named team captain. But Burke's most
hotly debated trade was a 2009 deal with Boston, when he acquired
sniper Phil Kessel for two first-round draft picks and a
second-round selection.
   
The Bruins used the picks to select star forward Tyler Seguin,
Dougie Hamilton and Jared Knight.
   
Nonis won't have much time to prepare.
   
The league and union reached a tentative agreement to end the
113-day lockout last weekend. Pending ratification from both sides,
the NHL is targeting a 48-game season that would begin Jan. 19.
   
(The Canadian Press)