[NHL] Brian Burke gone from Vancouver

[jonovate]

Canucks won't extend Burke's contract

TSN.ca Staff

5/3/2004

After the team failed to advance out of the first round this postseason, the Vancouver Canucks have decided to let president and general manager Brian Burke take the fall.

The Canucks announced on Monday that Burke's contract will not be extended.

Brian has played a pivotal role in the improvement and success of the Canucks over the past six years and we appreciate his dedication and contributions, said John McCaw, owner of the Canucks. He deserves a great deal of credit and we wish him and his family the very best for the future.

The decision to seek a new general manager was based on a thorough assessment that began at the culmination of the season and concluded yesterday evening. Burke was informed of the organizations decision this morning.

Making the right choice for general manager is critical to a teams success in the NHL, said Stanley McCammon, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer. We are comfortable with our review and its outcome, and we expect that a new General Manager will be in place shortly.

Ownership has chosen a candidate it wishes to pursue and hopes to begin discussions immediately.

Burke held his post in Vancouver for six seasons and turned the team into a playoff contender, but they were never able to reach the Stanley Cup final. The Canucks have a 1-4 record in playoff series since Burke became the GM in June of 1998, and the last two postseasons featured bitter disappointments to lower seeds.  Last year, Vancouver lost in the second round to the Minnesota Wild. This year, it was Calgary in the opening round.

Burke is known as one of the most opinionated and outspoken men in hockey, especially when the topic was fiscal responsibility and the economics of the league in general. With Vancouver, he was committed to running the team as a business with a responsible payroll without hindering the teams performance.

The Cancuks will need a new GM relatively soon. The NHL draft goes on June 26.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=82593

[Fred Derf Veteran]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story.asp?id=82593

I can't say that I'm surprised. After six years he's had a few kicks at the can. Bert kind of did him in but what can you do.

If the Leafs lose tomorrow then I won't be surprised if Quinn bites it too. That way the Leafs new GM can bring in his man for the job.

[Steffan]

If the Wings and the Avs dont make it out this round, their coaches wont be around next season either.

[Ji@nBing]

Are they insane!?!??! Burke took the Canucks from being one of the bottom teams in the league when he joined to being one of the top. They won the division this year for crying out loud!!!. He's put together an amazing team at a low price. The trades/aquisitions he's made are nothing short of brilliant. So they haven't done well in the playoffs as of yet. It's only a matter of time and every year they gain valuable experience. Well they have the team he built now, but this doesn't look good for the future of Vancouver.

[bayrider]

thats 2 firings i dont agree with so far this season, Martin in Ottawa and Burke in Vancouver. Blame the players not the coach, both coaches took nothing teams and made good contenders with them. It's not the coaches fault that half the time their team doesnt show up in the playoffs

[Matrix XII]

They shouldn't have fired burke, although I don't really like him all that much.

[Mike Douglas]

thats 2 firings i dont agree with so far this season, Martin in Ottawa and Burke in Vancouver. Blame the players not the coach, both coaches took nothing teams and made good contenders with them. It's not the coaches fault that half the time their team doesnt show up in the playoffs

Burke is the GM ;)

[rvbfan]

Are they insane!?!??! Burke took the Canucks from being one of the bottom teams in the league when he joined to being one of the top. They won the division this year for crying out loud!!!. He's put together an amazing team at a low price. The trades/aquisitions he's made are nothing short of brilliant. So they haven't done well in the playoffs as of yet. It's only a matter of time and every year they gain valuable experience. Well they have the team he built now, but this doesn't look good for the future of Vancouver.

Problem is he couldn't get them to the next level

[Ji@nBing]

I think they would have done better this year in the playoffs if they had Bertuzzi and if Cloutier didn't get injured. One thing i agree with a lot of people though, Cloutier isn't a good enough goalie to get them far. Burke just insisted that he is good enough and I think that was a mistake. They need better goaltending, and a centre.

[BOOGMaster]

He was useless! Cmon! Didn't anyone watch??

[CactuzJak]

Anybody who sticks by Cloutier and thinks that he can win them a cup doesn't deserve a job. Shoulda got Kolzig...