Portland Pirates Coach Kevin Dineen on WJAB 12-16-2008

Here is Kevin Dineen from this morning on the Morning Jab with Shoe and Joe December 16

Portland Pirates Head Coach Kevin Dineen on The Morning Jab

Here is Kevin Dineen from this morning on the Morning Jab with Shoe and Joe

Brian Burke in Portland

The Central Maine Sports Blog is reporting that 5 days before resigning as the Anaheim Ducks General Manager , Brian Burke was at the Cumberland County Civic Center in Portland, Maine. Civic Center sources report, when asked if he was here to scout, Mr. Burke responded “something like that” and proceeded to Portland Pirates Coach Kevin Dineen’s office. The Portland Pirates were the Anaheim Ducks AHL affiliate during Burke’s time as GM and Burke spent much time at the Cumberland County Civic Center during that period.

Rumors floating around the Cumberland County Civic Center after Burke’s resignation, were many. It is no secret the Brian Burke was unhappy flying coast to coast to see his family. Burke was born in Rhode Island, played for the Maine Mariners in the AHL, went to Harvard was GM for the Hartford Whalers and all of his children live on the east coast. His son Patrick is a scout for the Philadelphia Flyers.

Some had Burke discussing a coaching position for Coach Dineen, if and when Burke becomes General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Toronto Globe and Mail is reporting internal preparations are being made to offer Burke the GM job.

Other sources at the Cumberland County Civic Center have Burke joining the Buffalo Sabres in some head scouting capacity. Burke has much love of Maine and the area, obviously winning a Calder Cup with the Maine Mariners in 1977 and being a native New Englander. The Buffalo Sabres seem to be intact in the general manager department, as they extended Darcy Reiger’s contract in September. With both the Sabres and Portland Pirates early season performance, Reiger seems a lock to stay put in Buffalo.

TUESDAY UPDATE

Maine Hockey Insider Gary Prolman stated on WJAB Radio, his opinion was Burke was just in the area visiting pals, but when asked directly whether he could be in town talking to Kevin Dineen about coaching possibilities he said “I can’t believe Kevin Dineen is not an NHL coach….it’s just a matter of time”

TUESDAY UPDATE PART 2

Coach Kevin Dineen was on WJAB this morning and was asked by show host Shoe about Burke. Here is the interview.

Seems like most of what Dineen said shoots down the rumor. My source maintains Toronto was discussed, to what end is pure speculation.

Stay tuned to the Central Maine Sports Blog for updates.

Saturday Morning Quick-Hits Part 2

American League

Mike Lowell’s outburst in the 9th inning summed up the Red Sox night. Dan Shaughnessy wants Manny Ramirez to be shown out the door after he pulled himself out of the lineup right before last night’s game.

The Blue Jays stabbed the Mariners in the heart in extras last night while wearing their throwbacks.

Seattle keeps finding new ways to lose. Just a sad season in the Emerald City.

Jermaine Dye’s 2 run blast propelled he Chi Sox to a much needed win. The Chi Sox are still in first place in the Central.

Todd Jones took the blame for last night’s loss, as he should. The Tigers are now 6 and half games back of the first place White Sox.

Minnesota lost, the game and Carlos Gomez. I can’t for the life of me figure out why he is in still in the rotation and Francisco Liriano is still in AAA. Stop being cheap and give your team a chance, the Twins are still only 3 and half games back of Chicago.

The Angels hung on in Baltimore. Francisco Rodriguez is one step closer to removing Bobby Thigpen from the record books.

The Rangers unloaded on the A’s, and moved into second place in the AL West. Kevin Millwood is headed to the DL, again.

National League

The Mets win again, and extended their lead to 2 games, thanks to Mike Pelfrey and Carlos Delgado. There is word in this notebook that Pedro will be back soon, that the Mets thought they had a chance at Xavier Nady, and that Angel Pagan is going to have season ending surgery.

The Phillies stink out loud. Watched this game, and Chase Utley was getting booed, although he had no comments for Phils fans like he did New Yorkers at the Home Run Derby. Charlie Manuel held a closed door meeting before last night’s game, to unhappy results.

The Marlins knocked off the Cubs thanks to Jeremy Hermida. Former Red Sox prospect Anibal Sanchez is scheduled to return.

The Brewers are human after all, after falling the Astros last night. The Brewers are still in trade rumors, but Doug Melvin likes his team as they are now. Apparently he is unconcerned about his bullpen.

The Cubs promoted Brady Quinn’s favorite Notre Dame target.

The Cardinals couldn’t overcome the Mets. Ryan Franklin has stumbled since taking over for Jason Isringhausen. Chris Carpenter is on a rehab stint.

The Pirates said goodbye to Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady during the game yesterday. The Bucs proceeded to lose to the Padres.

Dan Haren got plenty of offense last night against the hapless Giants. The win got them back to .500 for the season, and keeps them a game ahead of LA in first.

The Dodgers got another strong performance from Chad Billingsley and offense from Nomar Garciaparra to knock off the Nats. Juan Pierre returned from the DL and started last night.

The Rockies won again, thanks to Aaron Cook. Don’t be surprised if the Rockies make no deadline moves and hold onto Fuentes and Holliday.

NFL

Albert Haynesworth signed a one year deal with the Titans. Check out the incentives he has to make to keep the Titans from franchising him again next year.

Lamont Jordan is looking for work.

NBA

Sasha Vujacic re-signs with the Lakers. Ray Allen and the makers of brown suede headbands rejoice.

Former Celtic Ryan Gomes is back in Minnesota.

Delonte West and his tattoos may be headed east, like, Russia-east…

NHL

Former Lightning coach John Tortorella will interview for the vacant Islanders job on Sunday. He should be great with the New York media.

Eastern League

The Sea Dogs got back on the winning track last night, beating Trenton 2-1. Trenton’s starting pitcher, Phil Coke, was removed after the first when he was traded to Pittsburgh.

AHL

Kevin Dineen may still be the head coach for the Portland Pirates next year. Great move by the Sabres organization if this comes true.