“This is all about having a parade," Calgary Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke said while explaining his decision to fire general manager Jay Feaster.

A man who knows a thing or two about holding a Stanley Cup parade in Calgary is Joe Nieuwendyk, former team captain and ex-NHL general manager. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, the Dallas Stars, who fired Nieuwendyk last April after four seasons, granted permission for him to speak to the Flames about their open position.

Burke's search could take him anywhere. From “either a young guy with great promise and maybe some experience, or just a young star that hasn’t been given a chance," he said. But what happens if the talent pool isn't to his liking? Well, while appearing on Tim and Sid on the FAN590, Burke said he'd be willing to take over the job full-time.

The odds on that happening are close to even money.

Burke said he wants the Flames to get bigger and tougher. That'll certainly happen if he ends up as the next GM, but what if a candidate, like Nieuwendyk, sees a different vision for the team? Not every organization can be Burke's 2007 Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks, but he'd sure love to replicate it.

"I don’t like playing flag football," Burke said. "I like teams that bang. I don’t like the way we play … we want black and blue hockey here. It’s what we do in Alberta. And that’s the first thing.

"We’ve got to be big and more truculent."

There's that word.

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Sean Leahy

is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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