Brian Burke Rips Mike O'Connell!

"I tried desperately to get Joe Thornton to Anaheim. I thought we beat the offer that got accepted. Mike O'Connell was the GM and we were babysitting him, checking in once a day, sometimes more.

I told OC that I would protect 5 players on my roster and he could take whoever he had ranked 6th. No restrictions. Then I'd add another roster player, a prospect, and a first. I'm still bitter we didn't get him."

"The details surrounding this story are fabricated and I can confirm that no such offer was made to me as I never informed Anaheim of my intentions to trade Joe Thornton," O'Connell said. "Unfortunately, certain personalities never let the truth get in the way of their ultimate goal, self-promotion."

"First off, I wish we were in the same room, if you are calling me a liar.... I've been accused of many things, but certainly not being untruthful"