RealGM

The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired general manager Brian Burke just days before the expected start of training camp for the 2013 season, ending four years that produced plenty of controversy but not a single appearance in the playoffs. Bob McKenzie of TSN was first with the news.

Burke was hired in Nov. 2008 as president and GM of the Leafs, becoming the first American-born GM in the team’s history. At the time his deal was a reported six years and $18 million.