Former Ducks GM takes two jobs

In what had to be one of the worst kept secrets in Toronto sports history, the Leafs have finally settled on a general manager and president.

Former Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke is expected to take both roles when he signs a six-year deal for approximately $18 million US on Nov. 29.

When current Cliff Fletcher replaced John Ferguson Jr. as the Leafs GM last year, Fletcher made it known that he was temporarily filling the void.

After that became clear, the rumours, of a possible successor, floated west and landed on the door step of Burke's residence in California.

After figuring out that Burke was in the final months of a four-year deal with the Ducks, the Toronto media declared that Burke was the top choice for the most coveted position in professional hockey.

They weren't wrong.

Amid rumours of tampering, the Leafs threw foam on the fire and went into deny mode.

All that did was fuel the fire with months of speculation that will, thankfully, come to a conclusion on Saturday night.

So, what was the caveat that brought this lousy mystery to an unsatisfying end?

For the Leafs, with a franchise value of around $320 million US and $1.9 million US in per game revenue, it wasn't the dough.

This was about the presidency of the hockey club.

When Burke officially takes the job on Saturday, he will wrestle the power away from current president Richard Peddie.

In the hierarchy of Maple Leaf hockey, all on-ice decisions were made by Peddie, which included veto power over the GM. The dichotomy is that Peddie is a money man and not a hockey man and many believe he is the main reason for the sub par results the last three years.

With Leaf revenues increasing every year and 18,800 in the building every night why should Peddie care about the teams performance?

Peddie has painted a Picasso when it comes to taking every last nickel from the pocket of Leaf fans but he has punctured a huge hole in the psyche of "Leafs Nation." (a marketing term used to unite Leaf fans under one banner and to increase Leaf brand awareness among immigrants not familiar with hockey. Cradle to grave as it were).

With Burke in the role of president, it is assumed/hoped that he will sprinkle his magic and transform the Chicago Cubs of hockey into winners by making solid hockey decisions.

Most importantly he has no one looking over his shoulder. He will answer to no one but his own whispers at night. Judging by some of the hockey markets Burke has worked in, he will not be motivated by revenue streams.

Vancouver and Anaheim don't generate the kinds of cash the Leafs do and he was successful in his endeavors to produce highly competitive teams, including a Stanley Cup 18 months ago with the Ducks.

Long suffering Toronto fans have waited since 1967 to see a Stanley Cup parade wind its way through the streets of Toronto. What's a few more years between friends in "Leafs Nation."