Brian Burke gets in huge fight with former GM over fake Thornton failed trade!

Last week, former NHL general manager and now Sportsnet analyst Brian Burke took to Twitter to answer the many questions of bored fans and made a crazy revelation about a failed trade that stunned everyone.

Back in 2005, the San Jose Sharks acquired Joe Thornton, and it cost them quite a bit as they gave up three good players, Marco Sturm, Wayne Primeau and Brad Stuart in return to the Boston Bruins.

However, according to Burke, his Ducks - called the Mighty Ducks at the time - had a much better deal on the table, one he put together to bring Jumbo Joe to Anaheim.

“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.”

Fans were impressed with Burke’s drive, however on Tuesday, the former GM of the Bruins called him out for lying about the failed transaction. O’Connell told The Athletic’s Joe McDonald that Burke’s hypothetical offer didn’t happen, and that the details were a “fabrication.”

“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.”

This prompted Burke to fire back at O’Connell, the only way he knows how. 

“I wish we were in the same room, if you’re calling me a liar.” 

You can hear the entire clip, which Wyshynski posted:

It’s hard to know who’s telling the truth… The Bruins fired O’Connell in March of 2006, and the Thornton trade undoubtedly served as a catalyst. But is Burke trying to get a little more credit than he deserves? 

What’s your take?