Vancouver Won’t Bring Back Burke

Brian Burke is out as president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Calgary Flames.

Burke’s contract expires June 30, and the Canucks said Monday it will not be extended.

“Brian has played a pivotal role in the improvement and success of the Canucks over the past six years and we appreciate his dedication and contributions,” Canuck owner John McCaw said. “He deserves a great deal of credit.”

Stanley McCammon, chief executive of the Canucks’ parent company, Orca Bay Sports and Entertainment, said the team expects to have a new general manager shortly.

The Canucks finished with a 43-24-20-5 record but were ousted in the first round of the playoffs. Vancouver had missed the playoffs the previous two seasons before Burke’s arrival in 1998.

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Blues forward Mike Danton returned to the St. Louis area from California to face charges in an alleged murder-for-hire plot, a federal marshal said.

Danton arrived by plane with other prisoners and received no special treatment, said Karen Simons, chief deputy federal marshal for the southern district of Illinois.

Danton will be arraigned today in an East St. Louis federal court, U.S. Attorney Ronald Tenpas’ office said.

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The Florida Panthers have met with former Ottawa coach Jacques Martin about becoming the team’s fifth coach in three years.

Panther General Manager Rick Dudley said he met with Martin last week and plans to speak with him again about the position. Martin also visited South Florida and met with team owner Alan Cohen.

Martin spent 8 1/2 years in Ottawa until he was fired April 22.

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Philadelphia Flyer goalie Robert Esche practiced and could start Game 6 against the Maple Leafs after leaving Game 5 because of flu-like symptoms.

Defenseman Vladimir Malakhov is doubtful, however, for tonight’s game at Toronto because he injured his head during Philadelphia’s 7-2 victory Sunday. Philadelphia leads the series 3-2.

Maple Leaf defenseman Ken Klee will sit out tonight’s game because of a knee injury.