SPORTSNET.CA

Contract negotiations between former Ducks executive vice-president and general manager Brian Burke and the Toronto Maple Leafs are scheduled to start this weekend.

Sources close to the situation indicate that Burke is waiting for an offer from the Maple Leafs, which may come as early as Friday.

The Maple Leafs will be represented by sports lawyer Gordon Kirke, who has been spearheading the general manager search for Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment. Burke will be representing himself at the negotiating table.

Burke was in the final year of a four-year deal as general manager of the Ducks but informed the Ducks that he would not sign an extension on November 12 and stepped down as the team's GM.

Burke led the Ducks to the Stanley Cup in 2007, but has said he wants to relocate to the east to be closer to his four children from a previous marriage.