Brian Burke may listen to Leafs if Ducks sent packing early

Should the Anaheim Ducks make an unceremonious and premature exit from the Stanley Cup hunt, Brian Burke may have an excuse to waddle his moneymaker right out of Southern Cal.

If, in the next few days, the defending champions grudgingly shake hands with the Dallas Stars and saunter into the off-season - and right now, there is nothing to suggest that won't be happening - it may give Burke a window, an excuse, a need, whatever you want to call it, to pack up and bring his act east.

There is simply no reason not to take Brian Burke at his word when he says he is overwhelmingly content collecting his pay from Anaheim owner Henry Samueli and has no desire, or intention, of leaving. Burke is one of those guys that speaks his mind and could care less what you, I or anyone else thinks. Don't like it? Switch the channel.

However, there is a certain group of stakeholders in Toronto who would appear to have some serious bedroom eyes for Burke and may flash a blank check, or cheque if you are reading from Canada, to get his attention.

And no matter how he tries to steer the conversation the other way, no matter how happy he says he is in California, money will talk with Brian Burke. If Burke is not intrigued by dollars alone, perhaps the chance to get a prime television gig for his wife, Jennifer, a successful broadcaster from Vancouver, may change his mind about catching a flight to Toronto.

After all, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment generally gets anything they want. Well, anything but success.

And right now, they want Brian Burke. It's no secret. And don't kid yourself. Money talks.

Once the Ducks' season ends, perhaps in the next few days, the casual flirting will end and, with the word "tampering" no longer being whispered in the boardroom, the hot and heavy action should get started.

Toronto may have quite a few million reasons for Burke to bolt California.

A first-round exit for the Ducks may be the excuse Burke needs.