New Jersey Devils right wing Jordin Tootoo fights with Vancouver Canucks winger Derek Dorsett (left) while trying to get at Alex Burrows during the second period of their NHL game on Sunday in Newark, N.J. Photograph by: Mel Evans , AP

COLUMBUS — Alex Burrows offered no apology to Jordin Tootoo, saying comments he made to the New Jersey Devils winger did not cross the line and definitely did not target Tootoo's heritage or personal history.

"Personally, I don't really think I crossed the line," Burrows said after the Vancouver Canucks' morning skate on Tuesday. "What I said I have been told the same in the past and have heard it plenty of times throughout my career.

"So I kind of wished it had stayed on the ice where I think it belongs. For me, I am just moving on and getting ready for tonight's game."

Tootoo complained after Sunday's game that Burrows had used personal slurs against him when the two were in the penalty box together. He said he wanted the league to investigate.

Tootoo's complaint had some assuming Burrows had made comments about Tootoo's heritage or struggles with alcohol.

"That is absolutely false." Burrows said. "I wouldn't go there. It was a pretty normal comment, I don't think I crossed the line and I am leaving it at that."

Burrows has always been known as one of the NHL's biggest trash-talkers, although he says he has toned things down in recent years.

"There is a lot of chirping," he said. "I haven't chirped as much as I used to in the past. But I always try to keep it legit and fair and I think that is what it was. I think we were just battling out there."

Burrows said he did not hear from the league directly, but believes it investigated the matter.

"I didn't talk to the league directly, personally, but my understanding is there are so many cameras on us, there's microphones on the bench, microphones in the penalty box. I am sure they looked at it and nothing came out of it. You have to watch what you say because if you cross the line it wouldn't be good, especially in this day and age."

Burrows said he discussed the matter with head coach Willie Desjardins, who told him to be cautious.

Tootoo, meanwhile, met Tuesday with Devils GM Ray Shero to discuss the Burrows incident and said he does not plan to address the matter face-to-face with Burrows when the Devils and Canucks meet again Nov. 22 in Vancouver.

"It's not like I'm going to carry it over. I have more important things to worry about," Tootoo told the The Star-Ledger newspaper in New Jersey after the Devils' morning skate Tuesday.

"I had a conversation with Ray about it. From my end I know I'm a better person to move on from the situation," Tootoo said. "I can go to bed at night at ease. Can he? At the end of the day you know what you said."

Tootoo said the personal comments from Burrows went beyond trash-talking.

"I get trash-talking," Tootoo said. "There's a line not to be crossed. Trash-talking has always been part of the game. You just don't dive into stuff like that."

Neither Burrows nor Tootoo would get into the specifics of what was said on Sunday.

bziemer@vancouversun.com

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