Burke is unsure about Ducks job

As the Ducks cleaned out their lockers Tuesday, the only thing certain was that their defense of the Stanley Cup wasn’t much of one.

The six-game loss to the Dallas Stars in the opening round was unexpected, especially after a 102-point regular season. A greater loss, however, might be coming.

General Manager Brian Burke, the man who put the final major pieces together for the team’s championship run the previous season, is expected to be aggressively courted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the coming days to run their team.

In a season-ending news conference at the Honda Center, Burke would not say whether the interest is mutual.

But then Burke, 52, was asked whether he intends to be with the Ducks when training camp opens in September.

“I don’t know,” Burke said. “I don’t know.”

Burke has one season remaining on the four-year contract he signed when he was hired by owners Henry and Susan Samueli in 2005. The Maple Leafs would have to seek permission from the Samuelis to talk to Burke or risk violating NHL tampering rules.

At the moment, no contact has been made by the Maple Leafs. Burke, however, chose his words carefully in discussing his situation.

“No NHL club has asked permission to speak to me at this point in time,” Burke said. “Not one team has asked. Nor have I asked for permission to speak to any NHL team at this point in time. Unless and until those two things change or unless and until I arrive upon terms of a contract extension here in Anaheim, I have no further intention in discussing my situation.”

Burke said there have been extensive discussions with Michael Schulman, the Ducks’ chief executive, on extending that contract, and that they talk almost daily.

“Whether they result in an extension, it’s too early to say,” Burke said. “How optimistic am I? I don’t know. Too early to say.”

According to several reports from Toronto, Richard Peddie, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment president, is set to recommend Burke to the group’s board of directors as the choice to succeed John Ferguson Jr., who was fired Jan. 22.

The Toronto job could have quite a bit of appeal to Burke. Two of his four grown children from a previous marriage reside in the Boston area and it would make his twice-monthly visits to them much more manageable.

In addition, Burke’s wife, Jennifer, is a noted broadcaster in Vancouver, Canada, and commutes there each week to be the host of an afternoon television show. Moving to Toronto would mean a bigger broadcast market -- and the end to that commute.

There is also the allure of restoring the Maple Leafs to prominence in a hockey-mad city. Possibly the most popular franchise in hockey, Toronto is also the NHL’s most profitable with an estimated net worth of $413 million. It hasn’t won the Cup since 1967.

In January, Burke had said of the Toronto job, “If you’re Catholic, this is the Vatican. They’re not going to have to beg anyone to take this job. This is one of the plum jobs in all of pro sports.”

Yet, he also said at the time, “I have a job that I love and I work for special people in the Samuelis. I’m not going anywhere.”

It also is possible that the Samuelis may not grant the Maple Leafs permission to talk to Burke. However, Henry Samueli said in January that he would not stand in Burke’s way if he wanted to pursue other opportunities.

The Ducks, however, are steeling themselves for other career decisions that will affect the team.

Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne, for example, will have to say whether they will play next season. And neither will be given the latitude they enjoyed after the Ducks won the Cup in 2007. Niedermayer came back from his sabbatical in December and Selanne was welcomed back in February.

“I was grateful to get them both back,” Burke said. “But I think it does bring disruption. . . . I think a time frame is sensible. I would start by meeting with both players and asking them what their thoughts are.”

Selanne, 37, made clear that this time he will decide by July 1, the first day of free agency.

“Either I’m going to be playing the whole year or I’m not going to play at all,” he said.

Niedermayer, who has one year left on his contract that would pay him $6.75 million, wasn’t as defined about his thought process.

“I haven’t really put any more thought into it,” he said. “I made the commitment this year. . . . I really enjoyed it except for the outcome. I obviously will have to talk to different people and kind of take it from there.”

Niedermayer said that what Burke does probably won’t affect his decision, although he didn’t rule it out as a factor.

“It’s obviously a pretty strange situation,” the defenseman said. “He did a good job here and I’m thankful for that.”

Other issues need to be tackled this summer, starting with Corey Perry, the Ducks’ leading goal scorer and a potential restricted free agent.

Burke said he wants to re-sign Perry, but acknowledged that it may have to come after July 1, which could make the winger a top offer-sheet target in the way Dustin Penner was. Penner signed the offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilers after Burke refused to match it, deeming it too exorbitant.

“I believe Corey Perry wants to stay here,” Burke said. “At the appropriate time, we should be able to get something done.”

Perry said, “This is where I call home and this is where I want to be.”

The nucleus otherwise is in place, with every defenseman signed for next season, except Joe DiPenta. Doug Weight is the only forward who will be an unrestricted free agent and is not expected to return.

Centers Ryan Carter and Brian Sutherby, and goalie Jonas Hiller, will have restricted status. Carter is expected to be re-signed but the Swiss-born Hiller could entertain some attractive offers overseas.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere, the Ducks’ longtime goalie, acknowledged the uncertainty.

“Some guys have got to make big decisions,” Giguere said. “Saying that, I think we’ll know a lot sooner than [later]. I think by July 1, we’ll be settled.”

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eric.stephens@latimes.com