According to Sportsnet's Mark Spector, former Leafs GM Brian Burke has been hired by the Anaheim Ducks to a part-time scouting position effective immediately and MLSE has released him from his contract.

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GM Dave Nonis indicated on Sportsnet FAN 590's Brady and Lang show this morning that there have inquiries from other NHL clubs regarding veteran center Tim Connolly, who was waived in mid-January and currently plays for the Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.

“Is there a chance (Connolly) will be back? No question.” Nonis said "We've had teams call on him. I would expect at some point whether it's with us or someone else that he'll be back in the NHL before the season's over."

Connolly has played regularly for the Marlies since being demoted and has five goals and two assists in seven games.

There reportedly was interest in the 31 year old center when he was waived, but that was contingent on the Leafs retaining a high percentage of Connolly's $4.75 Million salary for the 2013 season.

As the trade deadline approaches and team injuries pile up, it is possible that the Leafs could find a suitor for Connolly who would be willing to take on more of his salary and provide a more significant return for the pending unrestricted free agent.

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The Leafs face the Buffalo Sabres tonight at the Air Canada Center. The Sabres fired long time coach Lindy Ruff yesterday and replaced him with interim coach Ron Rolston. The two clubs have split their two meetings, with the Sabres winning 2-1 on January 21 in Toronto and the Leafs winning 4-3 in Buffalo on January 29th, thanks to a goal by Matt Frattin with 1.5 seconds remaining in overtime.

Ben Scrivens will make his fifth consecutive start for the Leafs, hoping to bounce back from a bad performance in Tampa, where he allowed four goals on 13 shots.

Colton Orr will be out of the lineup with what Coach Randy Carlyle describes as a "lower body injury" and will be replaced by David Steckel.

Ryan Miller is expected to get the start for Buffalo.


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