The Brian Burke Thread

[Capn_Crunch]

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

http://watch.tsn.ca/featured/clip655047#clip655047

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

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 can't comment about quality or potential, but Florida also drafted 9 players in the first 2 rounds of the 2010 and 2011 drafts, including 7 in the top 36.  If they make good on even some of those picks, that's huge.

 

[Zee]

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

How is Mike Toth asking Burke about his plan a terrible question?  Burke totally disregards Pittsburgh's team as being a product of winning the Crosby lottery??  How stupid is that?  It's been pointed out on numerous occasions that the entire core of the team is all first round picks, not just Crosby.  If Edmonton suddenly gels next season with all their first round picks, that'll be another example of a plan working.  What is Burke's plan other than to constantly say he's not interested in just making the playoffs and getting his ass kicked?

 

[DieWilsonDie]

I literally cringed when Burke ripped the Pittsburgh model.  Yes, they got lucky and drafted Crosby in 05, but they also drafted Marc Andre Fleury in 03 and Evgeni Malkin in 04.  They also drafted Kris Letang, who is arguably one of the best all around defenders in the NHL.  On top of that, Shero made shrewd deals (both trades and FA signings) bringing in players like Cooke, Sullivan, Neal, Kunitz, and Dupuis.  The basis of Pittsburgh's success is the draft, that is where their core came from.  To state their calling to success was simply made possible by luck should be an insult to the Pittsburgh organization and to Leaf fans.  Burke stating that he wasn't given a draft lottery victory was also laughable, considering Seguin is now a part of the Bruins organization.  Rather than being patient and properly evaluate the team he inherited he proved he was no better than JFJ. 

 

[nutman]

What about Burke telling us all about the 1st rounders we have on  our team, all I hear is you guys talking the bad, this team is not all that bad.it is young and in my opinion has learned a valuable lesson in the fact that come the last 30 games they need to step it up a notch. as for our needs, he will fill them but this team has core and more. we all saw it leading up to the big choke.

 

[Zee]

I literally cringed when Burke ripped the Pittsburgh model.  Yes, they got lucky and drafted Crosby in 05, but they also drafted Marc Andre Fleury in 03 and Evgeni Malkin in 04.  They also drafted Kris Letang, who is arguably one of the best all around defenders in the NHL.  On top of that, Shero made shrewd deals (both trades and FA signings) bringing in players like Cooke, Sullivan, Neal, Kunitz, and Dupuis.  The basis of Pittsburgh's success is the draft, that is where their core came from.  To state their calling to success was simply made possible by luck should be an insult to the Pittsburgh organization and to Leaf fans.  Burke stating that he wasn't given a draft lottery victory was also laughable, considering Seguin is now a part of the Bruins organization.  Rather than being patient and properly evaluate the team he inherited he proved he was no better than JFJ.

This is the thing that bothers some fans.  He just scoffs at questions from reporters that actually choose to QUESTION his moves and choices.  Instead of saying "yes, maybe I made a mistake", he rips the reporter and dismisses the question outright as ludicrous.  Pittsburgh?? Pffft.....FLUKE!  'I know how to build a team, foget the fluke Pittsburgh model!'.

That's basically the attitude Burke gave off with his answer.

 

[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

How is Mike Toth asking Burke about his plan a terrible question?  Burke totally disregards Pittsburgh's team as being a product of winning the Crosby lottery??  How stupid is that?  It's been pointed out on numerous occasions that the entire core of the team is all first round picks, not just Crosby.  If Edmonton suddenly gels next season with all their first round picks, that'll be another example of a plan working.  What is Burke's plan other than to constantly say he's not interested in just making the playoffs and getting his ass kicked?

That wasn't the question I was referring to. I don't think he even asked that one but maybe he did.  There were several others ...and I don't remember exactly what they were but if I have time later I will listen again and jot them down... he also asked Carlyle a couple and was interrupting his answers. 

 

[skrackle]

There was too much focus on playoffs or lack of in that press conference. I get that it's the media that's hammering that point, but Burke only has himself to blame for mismanaging that message from the get-go.

The Leafs aren't ready to make the kind of playoff run Burke is talking about. I can't see there being a way to make all the necessary changes in one off-season.

 

[Zee]

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

How is Mike Toth asking Burke about his plan a terrible question?  Burke totally disregards Pittsburgh's team as being a product of winning the Crosby lottery??  How stupid is that?  It's been pointed out on numerous occasions that the entire core of the team is all first round picks, not just Crosby.  If Edmonton suddenly gels next season with all their first round picks, that'll be another example of a plan working.  What is Burke's plan other than to constantly say he's not interested in just making the playoffs and getting his ass kicked?

That wasn't the question I was referring to. I don't think he even asked that one but maybe he did.  There were several others ...and I don't remember exactly what they were but if I have time later I will listen again and jot them down... he also asked Carlyle a couple and was interrupting his answers.

Yeah the Carlyle interruptions were annoying, but the Burke question he was asking if the fans needed to have patience and would the Leafs try the "Pittsburgh model", when Burke snapped and went off on him.  He didn't even get a chance to finish formulating whatever question he might have had cause Burke went off.

Burke's exact quote : "The Pittsburgh model - my ass."

 

[Boston Leaf]

who was the dude wearing the pirates cap in the press?

 

[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

How is Mike Toth asking Burke about his plan a terrible question?  Burke totally disregards Pittsburgh's team as being a product of winning the Crosby lottery??  How stupid is that?  It's been pointed out on numerous occasions that the entire core of the team is all first round picks, not just Crosby.  If Edmonton suddenly gels next season with all their first round picks, that'll be another example of a plan working.  What is Burke's plan other than to constantly say he's not interested in just making the playoffs and getting his ass kicked?

That wasn't the question I was referring to. I don't think he even asked that one but maybe he did.  There were several others ...and I don't remember exactly what they were but if I have time later I will listen again and jot them down... he also asked Carlyle a couple and was interrupting his answers.

Yeah the Carlyle interruptions were annoying, but the Burke question he was asking if the fans needed to have patience and would the Leafs try the "Pittsburgh model", when Burke snapped and went off on him.  He didn't even get a chance to finish formulating whatever question he might have had cause Burke went off.

Burke's exact quote : "The Pittsburgh model - my ass."

Yes I heard that one and that wasn't that bad, but he also asked 2-3 other questions that were far more obnoxious and rambled on for about 2 minutes on one of them. 

 

[Corn Flake]

Forget about Burke for a minute I hear Jay Feaster going ballistic in his presser is imminent.

Anyone have a link?

 

[Zee]

Forget about Burke for a minute I hear Jay Feaster going ballistic in his presser is imminent.

Anyone have a link?

Is he gonna do the George Bush "fool me once.." thing again like he tried right before the trade deadline? 

At least we're not the only team with issues...small consolation I guess.

 

[skrackle]

"Well, how about the Chicago model?" might have been a good follow-up.

I think Burke still believes in 'win sooner', though it shows no real signs of working. I can't really say how the prospects he's added are going to do in the NHL, though I expect there's some promising players in that group.

But the difference-making top end talent? He's going to have to draft it, whether he likes it or not.

 

[Corn Flake]

I literally cringed when Burke ripped the Pittsburgh model.  Yes, they got lucky and drafted Crosby in 05, but they also drafted Marc Andre Fleury in 03 and Evgeni Malkin in 04.  They also drafted Kris Letang, who is arguably one of the best all around defenders in the NHL.  On top of that, Shero made shrewd deals (both trades and FA signings) bringing in players like Cooke, Sullivan, Neal, Kunitz, and Dupuis.  The basis of Pittsburgh's success is the draft, that is where their core came from.  To state their calling to success was simply made possible by luck should be an insult to the Pittsburgh organization and to Leaf fans.  Burke stating that he wasn't given a draft lottery victory was also laughable, considering Seguin is now a part of the Bruins organization.  Rather than being patient and properly evaluate the team he inherited he proved he was no better than JFJ.

This is the thing that bothers some fans.  He just scoffs at questions from reporters that actually choose to QUESTION his moves and choices.  Instead of saying "yes, maybe I made a mistake", he rips the reporter and dismisses the question outright as ludicrous.  Pittsburgh?? Pffft.....FLUKE!  'I know how to build a team, foget the fluke Pittsburgh model!'.

That's basically the attitude Burke gave off with his answer.

Wow you sure seem sensitive to how Burke answers questions. Why is it such a big deal?  Not really sure why or why you would think he would come into that kind of presser with that crowd and not have anything get his ire up.  I mean, big deal if he didn't like a question and answered it in a surly manner.  The connotation of the question was "why don't you just do it like the Penguins did" when clearly they had more luck than most at the tail end of their rebuilding years to jolt them back into contention. 

To the Pens example specifically,  They spent 3-4 years in the basement then did have the single biggest stroke of luck in the Crosby draft.  You can't deny they hit the jackpot there. 

There are other, better examples of teams that bottomed out, rebuild slowly and painfully and it led to success without that kind of magical luck coming their way.

 

[Zee]

I just hope we win the lottery tonight and get Yapukov, he seems to be the guy able to step right into the lineup and provide some hope according to the scouts.

 

[Corn Flake]

But the difference-making top end talent? He's going to have to draft it, whether he likes it or not.

Yeah and I think he knows that and has been suggesting that very approach when they say "stay the course" they intend to keep long-term success in mind, and that goes with the draft as a key piece.  The point about the Pens is they took years to draft high but then the great miracle of 2005 happened to them to top it all off. 

 

[Zee]

But the difference-making top end talent? He's going to have to draft it, whether he likes it or not.

Yeah and I think he knows that and has been suggesting that very approach when they say "stay the course" they intend to keep long-term success in mind, and that goes with the draft as a key piece.  The point about the Pens is they took years to draft high but then the great miracle of 2005 happened to them to top it all off.

You can take Crosby off the Pens team right now, and they still have a top team...why?  Because they have other key players they also drafted high.  That's the model, not just luck.  Burke dismissed it outright and suggested it's ALL Crosby -- that is, to take his line, "my ass"

 

[bustaheims]

You can take Crosby off the Pens team right now, and they still have a top team...why?  Because they have other key players they also drafted high.  That's the model, not just luck.  Burke dismissed it outright and suggested it's ALL Crosby -- that is, to take his line, "my ass"

It's not all Crosby, but it's undeniable that winning the Crosby lottery has had a massive impact on the types of moves the Pens have made since the 2005 draft, and that has played a significant part in making them the team they are right now. If they didn't get Crosby back then, who know what they'd look like right now or what time of team they'd be? Winning the Crosby lottery was the turning point for that franchise, no doubt about it.

 

[Zee]

You can take Crosby off the Pens team right now, and they still have a top team...why?  Because they have other key players they also drafted high.  That's the model, not just luck.  Burke dismissed it outright and suggested it's ALL Crosby -- that is, to take his line, "my ass"

It's not all Crosby, but it's undeniable that winning the Crosby lottery has had a massive impact on the types of moves the Pens have made since the 2005 draft, and that has played a significant part in making them the team they are right now. If they didn't get Crosby back then, who know what they'd look like right now or what time of team they'd be? Winning the Crosby lottery was the turning point for that franchise, no doubt about it.

They took Malkin and Fleury BEFORE Crosby -- that's a good starting point right there.  A #1 goalie and a #1 center.  They then chose Staal the year AFTER Crosby, another potential star center.  The Leafs traded their top draft picks for Kessel.