The Brian Burke Thread

[cw]

The Pacific wasn't that bad a division - one of 3 with more than 2 teams make the playoffs, 4 of 5 teams with 40+ wins.  Just didn't have the huge point totals, but was a pretty solid division, even with Anaheim's brutal start.

With them playing each other within the division so many times, it's tougher to rack up huge point totals when there are a lot of good teams within their division. Having said that, the Atlantic & Central divisions each had four teams with 100+ points so it's certainly doable.

More often than not, a coaching change doesn't change a team's fortunes in the short term. And they often go into a lull before his coaching takes hold. But Darryl Sutter's arrival seemed to help. They played .622 hockey after he arrived - a 102 pt pace. And there was no lull as they got at least a point in 16 of their first 20 games with Sutter.

 

[cw]

Interview with Nonis on Friday:
http://www.fan590.com/ondemand/media.jsp?content=20120525_080811_1040
- doesn't sound like they are expecting to do much on the UFA market - maybe pick up a player or two but it didn't sound like they'd be making a big splash
- in spite of Scrivens playoffs, they're looking to add a goalie
- largely, they seem intent on upgrade via trade. As trades involve players of roughly equal value going each way, very roughly, the only way to upgrade the NHL roster is to trade prospects - otherwise exchanging NHL players doesn't have as much impact though it can help some in shedding talent in areas of surplus for talent that shores up weakness.

Bottom line: I'm not expecting to get my socks knocked off this summer.

 

[maplesyrup]

They were intent on making trades last summer too. They were in on Richards and Carter and God knows who else and ultimately, Burke got cold feet. Seems last summer he was swinging for home-runs and unless he's willing to accept just getting a hit here and there this summer, I suppose it's fair to not expect to to have my socks knocked off either.

Edit: Though with minor league team having reached the finals, maybe Burke will feel that it's time to burn some prospects... Have the Marlies suffer a bit for a couple of years at the expense of the big club. Who knows?   

 

[cw]

They were intent on making trades last summer too. They were in on Richards and Carter and God knows who else and ultimately, Burke got cold feet. Seems last summer he was swinging for home-runs and unless he's willing to accept just getting a hit here and there this summer, I suppose it's fair to not expect to to have my socks knocked off either.

Burke has done fairly well to make trades happen under CBA rules that make them very difficult to pull off. I don't see trades getting any easier with the end of the current CBA looming along with a potential drop in the cap.

An obvious move would normally be to add a top UFA. As it takes no talent off the NHL roster, usually, that is a boost to the NHL team bumping existing players down the depth chart into roles they're often more capable of performing well in. Part of what I take from Nonis, without him saying so directly, is the recognition that unlike previous seasons, they're cap constrained in a CBA negotiation environment that probably makes it considerably tougher to dump contracts - maybe even to the minors.

I do worry that they may make a few moves but the net effect of all they can accomplish is shuffling the chairs on the deck of a Titanic.

I'm sure they recognize their situation. It strikes me as the most difficult environment and situation Burke has faced while in Toronto. Naturally, the media is unlikely to acknowledge that and it could get even rougher for Burke in that area.

Like last season, the key is goaltending. If they can get a good starter or Reimer/Scrivens steps up, their fortunes change significantly. So it's tough but not hopeless.

 

[maplesyrup]

The new CBA will be obviously be a huge thing. Will teams be allowed amnesty? Maybe a fraction of a player's salary can be eaten in trades this time around? Where is the cap going? Jesus, will there be a shortened season or a season at all?  :

 

[cw]

The new CBA will be obviously be a huge thing. Will teams be allowed amnesty? Maybe a fraction of a player's salary can be eaten in trades this time around? Where is the cap going? Jesus, will there be a shortened season or a season at all?  :

I have a hard time believing there will be a significant lockout this time around. There will be plenty of rhetoric and posturing in the media. Maybe even a delay to the season to push for the best deal they can get. But the NHL players know too well who loses biggest when they can't get a deal done.

The delay to get the new CBA rules will also depress the trade market in my opinion - until Sept 15th or whenever the deal gets done.

 

[cw]

Maple Leafs in market for veteran netminder

Not a bad article following up on Nonis' interview

 

[Tigger]

One thing Nonis mentioned was that they have a CBA to work with during the summer and I think he used the words 'business as usual'. Without the details it's hard to say how they'll handle things, we'll get a feel for where it's going by draft day and more info on July 1.

I know we've talked about it but if a rollback and an amnesty take effect the Leafs have some flexibility, if not, well then this year could be pretty tight.

 

[Bullfrog]

He said something along the effect of "we'll operate on the basis of the current CBA; if you worry about what might change you could miss out on an opportunity."

 

[Kin]

The new CBA will be obviously be a huge thing. Will teams be allowed amnesty? Maybe a fraction of a player's salary can be eaten in trades this time around? Where is the cap going? Jesus, will there be a shortened season or a season at all?  :

The interesting thing about the upcoming negotiations is that the NHL, because of it's own success, has given the PA a degree of leverage. Much like we saw with the NBA lockout the risk of cancelling marquee events can do a lot to get a deal done. The NHL will be motivated to get a deal done to prevent having to cancel the Winter Classic, the Players will be motivated not to miss any paychecks. I bet a deal gets done after a short lockout.

 

[Redleaf]

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL/Toronto/2012/05/28/19808896.html

 

[Peter D.]

Just thinking out loud here, but is Burke actually firm (stubborn) on his "no more than 5/6-year deal stance"?

Many point to the Leafs not picking up Luongo because of this.  Fine.  But next year if Crosby hits the free market, teams are going to fall over themselves to give him 10, 12, 15 years.  Would Burke actually forego trying to obtain Crosby because of his stance? 

 

[Etiam Vultus]

Just thinking out loud here, but is Burke actually firm (stubborn) on his "no more than 5/6-year deal stance"?

Many point to the Leafs not picking up Luongo because of this.  Fine.  But next year if Crosby hits the free market, teams are going to fall over themselves to give him 10, 12, 15 years.  Would Burke actually forego trying to obtain Crosby because of his stance?

My guess is that Bettman (and some of the owners) will want to limit the term of contracts in the next CA. 

If players and agents think this is a risk, it makes it interesting to see what players like Crosbie and Staal do this summer.  They have a window from July 1 until a new collective agreement is in place to negotiate under the current rules.

 

[Tigger]

Just thinking out loud here, but is Burke actually firm (stubborn) on his "no more than 5/6-year deal stance"?

I think he's left the window open for the 'right player', IIRC. Which means, if I parse him correctly, that he'd be willing to 'bend' the intent of the cba for the right player.

 

[Zee]

What are these rumours about Burke getting fired? I saw McKenzie mention something about "Brian Burke's future" on twitter and now this morning my buddy told me it's on the radio.

Rogers/Bell taking over soon?

 

[Bender]

Simmons states there is no shred of truth to the rumors.

 

[Zee]

Simmons states there is no shred of truth to the rumors.

That gives me a warm and fuzzy. We're listening to Simmons now.

Makes no sense though so he's probably right. I could see Burke fired next summer if Leafs miss playoffs again.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Simmons states there is no shred of truth to the rumors.

That gives me a warm and fuzzy. We're listening to Simmons now.

Makes no sense though so he's probably right. I could see Burke fired next summer if Leafs miss playoffs again.

Here's his article about it: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/06/05/gossip-swirls-around-leafs-gms-work-personal-life

 

[Corn Flake]

What are these rumours about Burke getting fired? I saw McKenzie mention something about "Brian Burke's future" on twitter and now this morning my buddy told me it's on the radio.

Rogers/Bell taking over soon?

I won't read Simmons pile of tripe, because he is using unfounded rumors to garner attention to his own story (as per usual), but there was a not-very-credible site that mentioned that Burke was going to get fired soon due to something he was involved with outside of work.  It said his wife was in it as well. Okay, sure.

Total gibberish IMO, and I didn't post it here when I found it because it was just too stupid to believe, but it got twitter buzzing for a few hours on Monday.  That @mc79hockey guy tweeted it.  Far less credible than people think he is btw.

The mock rumor sites and twitter accounts are in triple overdrive right now with the Leafs around all kinds of things, especially Luongo.  It's getting beyond ridiculous.

 

[Zee]

What are these rumours about Burke getting fired? I saw McKenzie mention something about "Brian Burke's future" on twitter and now this morning my buddy told me it's on the radio.

Rogers/Bell taking over soon?

I won't read Simmons pile of tripe, because he is using unfounded rumors to garner attention to his own story (as per usual), but there was a not-very-credible site that mentioned that Burke was going to get fired soon due to something he was involved with outside of work.  It said his wife was in it as well. Okay, sure.

Total gibberish IMO, and I didn't post it here when I found it because it was just too stupid to believe, but it got twitter buzzing for a few hours on Monday.  That @mc79hockey guy tweeted it.  Far less credible than people think he is btw.

The mock rumor sites and twitter accounts are in triple overdrive right now with the Leafs around all kinds of things, especially Luongo.  It's getting beyond ridiculous.

Yeah I figured in this market it was probably unfounded rumors.  Reason I posted it is that I got a 6am text message from a buddy of mine with the "news".  I was like "huh?, first i've heard of it", but then I remembered reading Bob McKenzie's tweet last night about Burke's future so I thought there might have been something there.  Crazy that these actual journalists / tv personalities now report on what blog sites post.