Burke, Gillis in spotlight
With no playoff games scheduled yesterday, general managers were making news in the NHL with Brian Burke saying he's staying put in Anaheim and former player Mike Gillis landing the Vancouver post.
Attempting to quiet speculation that Burke might leave for Toronto, the Ducks announced he will remain with the team at least through next season and will continue to negotiate a contract extension.
"I work for the best owners in sports," Burke said. "After meeting with Mike [Ducks CEO Schulman] this morning, we've decided to end all unnecessary media speculation and commit to working together for at least one more year while continuing to discuss my long-term future with the Ducks."
Burke's current four-year deal expires at the end of the 2008-09 season.
Gillis replaces Dave Nonis, who was fired April 14 after the Canucks missed the playoffs one season after winning the Northwest Division.
Vancouver finished the season with a 39-33-10 record, 3 points out of eighth place in the Western Conference. The 49-year-old Gillis, who signed a five-year deal, will decide whether to keep coach Alain Vigneault.
Calder finalists
Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews of the Blackhawks and the Capitals' Nicklas Backstrom were chosen as finalists for the Calder Trophy, given to the NHL's top rookie. The winner will be announced June 12 . . . Coach Bruce Boudreau has been given a contract to stay with the Capitals, a reward for leading the team from last in the NHL to a Southeast Division title. The team did not release details of the contract . . . NHL games will continue to air on NBC next season. The network decided to exercise its option to extend the contract. Ratings for the regular-season Sunday games this season on NBC were up 11 percent from last year.
