Report: Joe Nieuwendyk remains Brian Burke's first choice as Flames GM

According to a report from Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos, former Calgary Flames captain and hall of famer Joe Nieuwendyk remains Brian Burke's first choice to replace deposed former general manager Jay Feaster as GM of the Calgary Flames.

"No doubt about it Brian Burke's first choice for general manager moving forward is Joe Nieuwendyk," Kypreos reported on Tuesday. "The problem is Joe isn't quite ready to jump into the general manager ranks just yet citing family reasons."

Nieuwendyk was the general manager of the Dallas Stars for four seasons until he was fired following the 2012-13 season. While Nieuwendyk had some success with the Stars despite operating on a shoestring budget, popular perception considers his record marred by the lopsided James Neal trade.

Kypreos suggests that Nieuwendyk is Burke's "Plan A", and that his "Plan B" would be to wait out the executive talent market and see if a trusted, veteran General Manager becomes available this summer.