The Brian Burke Thread

[GhostofPotvin29]

And there it is again. Burke just said he could have made the playoffs last year AND this year if he had just traded away a bunch of young guys for 30 year olds. Unreal.

I don't see why it bothers you.  Burke blusters and exaggerates and has forever.

Also, who's to say it's not potentially true? He could have made those kinds of deals - I have no doubts about that - and, yeah, those moves might have been enough to put the team in the playoffs.

Did seem to work in Florida...

Sure did to make the playoffs, but they don't really strike me as a team that will be a contender with what they have, or anytime soon.  They have Huberdeau coming, which is nice.  After that...

Yeah, that's what I was saying.

 

[Boston Leaf]

media seemed gutless. needed to press on the tougher questions... I am pretty discouraged to hear what I did today. although it is really what was expected.

 

[L K]

My concern for "Ron and I didn't see eye to eye on size" is whether that size is in the way of a Milan Lucic/Ryan Kessler kind of size, or whether it is having guys like Colton Orr in the lineup.  This team doesn't need talentless players simply because they fight/hit.

 

[bustaheims]

Great and if that's the plan stick to it and stress the importance of drafting and patience. I don't see the need for all of these quips about potential 1st rounders, picks and imaginary playoffs.

Then, perhaps watching/listening to end of season press conferences isn't for you, because, that's generally what they're going to be about - hypotheticals, silver linings, etc.

 

[Zee]

My concern for "Ron and I didn't see eye to eye on size" is whether that size is in the way of a Milan Lucic/Ryan Kessler kind of size, or whether it is having guys like Colton Orr in the lineup.  This team doesn't need talentless players simply because they fight/hit.

My concern is Burke actually doesn't know what he's doing and is just reacting year to year. Last season at this time everything was great and no major changes were required, now he's saying we need to get bigger and get another goalie and find a top line center. So basically major changes.

 

[Deebo]

My concern for "Ron and I didn't see eye to eye on size" is whether that size is in the way of a Milan Lucic/Ryan Kessler kind of size, or whether it is having guys like Colton Orr in the lineup.  This team doesn't need talentless players simply because they fight/hit.

My concern is Burke actually doesn't know what he's doing and is just reacting year to year. Last season at this time everything was great and no major changes were required, now he's saying we need to get bigger and get another goalie and find a top line center. So basically major changes.

He's been saying they need to get bigger for a long time.

 

[MBC]

My concern for "Ron and I didn't see eye to eye on size" is whether that size is in the way of a Milan Lucic/Ryan Kessler kind of size, or whether it is having guys like Colton Orr in the lineup.  This team doesn't need talentless players simply because they fight/hit.

What bugs me about them not seeing eye to eye was that they seemingly followed RW's approach rather than BB's.  Seems like the tail wagging the dog.

 

[Zee]

My concern for "Ron and I didn't see eye to eye on size" is whether that size is in the way of a Milan Lucic/Ryan Kessler kind of size, or whether it is having guys like Colton Orr in the lineup.  This team doesn't need talentless players simply because they fight/hit.

My concern is Burke actually doesn't know what he's doing and is just reacting year to year. Last season at this time everything was great and no major changes were required, now he's saying we need to get bigger and get another goalie and find a top line center. So basically major changes.

He's been saying they need to get bigger for a long time.

Saying it and not doing it, that's why I wanted the question asked.  "Burke you've said this before..."  Was that so difficult?

 

[Deebo]

And there it is again. Burke just said he could have made the playoffs last year AND this year if he had just traded away a bunch of young guys for 30 year olds. Unreal.

I don't see why it bothers you.  Burke blusters and exaggerates and has forever.

Also, who's to say it's not potentially true? He could have made those kinds of deals - I have no doubts about that - and, yeah, those moves might have been enough to put the team in the playoffs.

Did seem to work in Florida...

Sure did to make the playoffs, but they don't really strike me as a team that will be a contender with what they have, or anytime soon.  They have Huberdeau coming, which is nice.  After that...

Yeah, that's what I was saying.

Florida won the least games of all play-off teams and has the worst goal differential.

 

[Andy007]

Great and if that's the plan stick to it and stress the importance of drafting and patience. I don't see the need for all of these quips about potential 1st rounders, picks and imaginary playoffs.

Then, perhaps watching/listening to end of season press conferences isn't for you, because, that's generally what they're going to be about - hypotheticals, silver linings, etc.

And maybe the reaction thread isn't for you, because that's generally where people react to the aforementioned hypotheticals, silver linings, etc that have been beaten like a dead horse all season.

 

[Zee]

And there it is again. Burke just said he could have made the playoffs last year AND this year if he had just traded away a bunch of young guys for 30 year olds. Unreal.

I don't see why it bothers you.  Burke blusters and exaggerates and has forever.

Also, who's to say it's not potentially true? He could have made those kinds of deals - I have no doubts about that - and, yeah, those moves might have been enough to put the team in the playoffs.

Did seem to work in Florida...

Sure did to make the playoffs, but they don't really strike me as a team that will be a contender with what they have, or anytime soon.  They have Huberdeau coming, which is nice.  After that...

Yeah, that's what I was saying.

Florida won the least games of all play-off teams and has the worst goal differential.

It remains to be seen if Florida can repeat success next season, but for now they're in and we're not.  Score one for Tallon.

 

[Madferret]

And there it is again. Burke just said he could have made the playoffs last year AND this year if he had just traded away a bunch of young guys for 30 year olds. Unreal.

I don't see why it bothers you.  Burke blusters and exaggerates and has forever.

Also, who's to say it's not potentially true? He could have made those kinds of deals - I have no doubts about that - and, yeah, those moves might have been enough to put the team in the playoffs.

Did seem to work in Florida...

Sure did to make the playoffs, but they don't really strike me as a team that will be a contender with what they have, or anytime soon.  They have Huberdeau coming, which is nice.  After that...

The Panthers have a stable full of top flight prospects...plus Ellerby & Kulikov who are on this playoff team...Markstrom, Howden. Florida is probably going to be competitive for a few years yet. I appreciate why Burke is poo-pooing "just making the playoffs" though - can't blame him.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I think we are going to see more movement this off-season, than last year, however; I guess that is to be expected.

I felt Burke could have been less stand-offish about some of the questions, but I suppose he knew what was coming his way and decided to be a bit defensive in his answers. I do believe that he is on the right track and that he shouldn't change gears now, but rightly or wrongly, next year will have to be a substantial improvement for him to retain more job security.

If there is anything positive about this, it's that Burke can wheel and deal, so he has a good chance of getting done what he wants. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until October to find that top center, it can't be easy trying to pry one loose from another team.

 

[Corn Flake]

The Panthers have a stable full of top flight prospects...plus Ellerby & Kulikov who are on this playoff team...Markstrom, Howden. Florida is probably going to be competitive for a few years yet. I appreciate why Burke is poo-pooing "just making the playoffs" though - can't blame him.

I like a lot of what Florida has done and some of the parts they signed that seemed like filler have really worked out well for them. I think in some ways they had a bit of a 'no pressure' season and I think they really benefited most from how bad their division was, especially early on, and they barely played well enough down the stretch (2-3-5 in last 10) to hang on, not to mention  18 OTL points.  I'm not sure they will have a long-standing run though, able to bring in kids over time as they are ready. 

 

[lamajama]

I think we are going to see more movement this off-season, than last year, however; I guess that is to be expected.

I felt Burke could have been less stand-offish about some of the questions, but I suppose he knew what was coming his way and decided to be a bit defensive in his answers. I do believe that he is on the right track and that he shouldn't change gears now, but rightly or wrongly, next year will have to be a substantial improvement for him to retain more job security.

If there is anything positive about this, it's that Burke can wheel and deal, so he has a good chance of getting done what he wants. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until October to find that top center, it can't be easy trying to pry one loose from another team.

I'm not picking on you whatsoever but what track are we referring to? The Top 6 Bottom 6 one, or the "changed NHL" track or the "we need to get bigger" track. I agree you can change and need to be flexible but the only track I consistently see is pretty muddied.

 

[Corn Flake]

I think we are going to see more movement this off-season, than last year, however; I guess that is to be expected.

I felt Burke could have been less stand-offish about some of the questions, but I suppose he knew what was coming his way and decided to be a bit defensive in his answers. I do believe that he is on the right track and that he shouldn't change gears now, but rightly or wrongly, next year will have to be a substantial improvement for him to retain more job security.

If there is anything positive about this, it's that Burke can wheel and deal, so he has a good chance of getting done what he wants. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until October to find that top center, it can't be easy trying to pry one loose from another team.

Give Mike Toth the prize for asking the most terrible questions that got Burke's surly back up. He was clearly trying to incite a reaction, or Toth is just too much of an idiot to realize when he is acting like one.  He even managed to out duel Steve Simmons in that area.

I think the one area I that surprised me most was Burke's support of his 2nd line.  He was right we all felt they were the most solid thing going in at the beginning, but the fact he said he still believes in them, suggesting no change, is a concern.  I like those guys but i don't like Kulemin and Mac being penned in for 2nd line jobs next year. 

 

[nutman]

I think we are going to see more movement this off-season, than last year, however; I guess that is to be expected.

I felt Burke could have been less stand-offish about some of the questions, but I suppose he knew what was coming his way and decided to be a bit defensive in his answers. I do believe that he is on the right track and that he shouldn't change gears now, but rightly or wrongly, next year will have to be a substantial improvement for him to retain more job security.

If there is anything positive about this, it's that Burke can wheel and deal, so he has a good chance of getting done what he wants. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt until October to find that top center, it can't be easy trying to pry one loose from another team.

Agreed, and I will add that I also believe this team is closer then most will admit at this point, this will be a very intresting off season.

 

[jdh1]

This whole thing about hiring Ron Wilson as coach before Burke was hired has basically delayed the true rebuild for at least 3 seasons.

Burke has just admitted that they were not on the same page as far as the type of team they put on the ice.Wilson wanted a free flow type of game and Burke wanted a Carlyle defencive ,stop and start straight line approach.

This should not have happened..as the GM you want to implement the type of team you want and the right coaching philosophy put in place,right from the get go.

The fact that they were friends delayed this whole process,Burke not wanting to fire his buddy and even giving him an extention,really sucks.

I can't believe that ownership put up with all that clique business between those two.

This is why we need ownership that has some true hockey knowledge to be able to put the right management in place to eliminate this kind of fiasco that we've seen the last 3.5 years.

And that's the kind of questions that should have been asked at the conference today.

 

[Redleaf]

Anyone have a link to today's press conference? Having trouble finding one.

 

[Capn_Crunch]

The Pittsburgh model? What model is that? They won a god damn lotto and got the "best player in the game".

Sometimes BB makes me truly laugh.