Is Burke Next?

From Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail:

Does anyone honestly think a coach as good as Wilson would sign a contract with the Maple Leafs – even a four-year deal that would make him among the best-paid coaches in the NHL – if he did not have an inkling of who will eventually occupy the Leafs' GM chair? Especially if that someone just happens to be Burke, his old Providence College teammate and great friend?

Wilson was unemployed for, what, three days after the San Jose Sharks dumped him? And there are at least four other vacancies around the league.

It's well known that Leafs interim GM Cliff Fletcher is beloved by most in the NHL, but why on earth would Wilson not at least look into the other openings before casting his lot with a team that has no permanent GM in sight?

Perhaps we'll find out today at the news conference announcing Wilson's signing. He did say Sunday that Fletcher is in the midst of hiring “a team” of executives.

However, there is still no reason to think that that team will not be headed by Burke one day, whether it is when his contract as GM of the Anaheim Ducks expires a year from now, or perhaps in mid-July if Ducks owner Henry Samueli gives up his fight to keep Burke once the team is through the entry draft and free-agency period.

Read the entire article here.

I have to agree with Shoalts on this one. The hiring has to be part of a greater plan; a greater plan that involves Brian Burke. If not, then this doesn't make too much sense.