The Brian Burke Thread

[Brian Glennie]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

 

[Redleaf]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

What's the question?

 

[rdowdall]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

What's the question?

How many playoff games will the Leafs play this year?

 

[Redleaf]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

What's the question?

How many playoff games will the Leafs play this year?

That all depends on the goalie they get.

 

[Madferret]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

What's the question?

How many playoff games will the Leafs play this year?

That all depends on the goalie they get.

I thought Gillis was going to personally hand deliver Luongo to you? ;p

 

[Highlander]

What is the opinion on Jonkinen?  I have always liked his play and was the best centre on Calgary this past year. Good playmaker and can dish the puck.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

What is the opinion on Jonkinen?  I have always liked his play and was the best centre on Calgary this past year. Good playmaker and can dish the puck.

Probably going to command five million in salary and is at best a 15 pt better player than Tyler Bozak.

Huge pass.

 

[Redleaf]

If I were a Bruins fan * shudders * I might be as happy (if not more so) about Hamilton as I was with Seguin.

Edit: Though I still like Burke. Even the best GMs make mistakes.

They'd probably have been just as happy with Kessel.

I disagree. They felt he was the wrong player for the cap-space he was going to take up.

I don't completely disagree with that, but I was talking about the fans.

Oh, the fans are fine.

Kessel wasn't happy in Boston and the team's management decided, quite rightly as it turned out, that they were better off without him.

Kessel kind of reminds me of A.J. Burnett. He's awesome but he's not the answer.

What's the question?

How many playoff games will the Leafs play this year?

That all depends on the goalie they get.

I thought Gillis was going to personally hand deliver Luongo to you? ;p

My guess was that we end up with him. Nowhere did I say it was going to be easy. With Brodeur possibly being available, I'd have no qualms signing him instead.

 

[Sudafederov]

Burke marching in the Pride Parade tomorrow, nice to see.

I wonder if Steve Simmons sees fit to rip into him the same way he did when Burke visited the troops in Afghanistan July 1st (not being physically present for free agent frenzy).

Hopefully, Simmons has learned his lesson.

 

[maplesyrup]

Yeah, Nonis and Loiselle aren't exactly hear for their good looks.

 

[Kin]

Burke marching in the Pride Parade tomorrow, nice to see.

I wonder if Steve Simmons sees fit to rip into him the same way he did when Burke visited the troops in Afghanistan July 1st (not being physically present for free agent frenzy).

I'm confused. If Burke's marching in the Pride Parade tomorrow, doesn't that mean he will be present for the free agent frenzy? He's not marching in Afghanistan's Pride Parade, right?

 

[Sudafederov]

Burke marching in the Pride Parade tomorrow, nice to see.

I wonder if Steve Simmons sees fit to rip into him the same way he did when Burke visited the troops in Afghanistan July 1st (not being physically present for free agent frenzy).

I'm confused. If Burke's marching in the Pride Parade tomorrow, doesn't that mean he will be present for the free agent frenzy? He's not marching in Afghanistan's Pride Parade, right?

I found the original article from last year.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/01/burke-off-to-afghanistan

Many people, including colleagues, took exception with it, correctly pointing out that there are many ways to stay in contact these days (phone, Skype etc), all of which Burke pointed out.

I think that Burke may have even cut off Simmons completely after this one judging from some of the interviews I've heard / read since then.

I just find it interesting that you have a set of similar circumstances tomorrow.  I'm just curious to see how Simmons chooses to comment on it, if he does at all.

"The optics say that Burke would rather engage in public relations than roll up his sleeves on a day of apparent frenzy."

Yikes.

 

[Kin]

I found the original article from last year.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/01/burke-off-to-afghanistan

I just find it interesting that you have a set of similar circumstances tomorrow.  I'm just curious to see how Simmons chooses to comment on it, if he does at all.

Yeah, no, I remember it. I just don't see how it's similar. Simmons said Burke should be in Toronto on July 1st. The Pride Parade is in Toronto. Burke's involvement in it, I'm assuming, is going to be a few hours*. So....isn't Burke doing more or less what Simmons said he should do?

*Although it would be epic if Burke went clubbing afterwards

 

[Madferret]

Good on Mr. Burke - walk on brother.

 

[Madferret]

I found the original article from last year.

http://www.torontosun.com/2011/07/01/burke-off-to-afghanistan

I just find it interesting that you have a set of similar circumstances tomorrow.  I'm just curious to see how Simmons chooses to comment on it, if he does at all.

Yeah, no, I remember it. I just don't see how it's similar. Simmons said Burke should be in Toronto on July 1st. The Pride Parade is in Toronto. Burke's involvement in it, I'm assuming, is going to be a few hours*. So....isn't Burke doing more or less what Simmons said he should do?

*Although it would be epic if Burke went clubbing afterwards

Haha..all e'd up.

 

[hockeyfan1]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/free_agency/2012/07/01/spector_leafs_burke_free_agency_day1/

How many agree?

 

[cw]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/free_agency/2012/07/01/spector_leafs_burke_free_agency_day1/

How many agree?

I think the cheap shots on Burke's efforts for the soldiers in Afghanistan or the Gay Pride parade are a disgrace. Whatever point he was trying to make, he lost me there.

According to media reports, the Leafs were in the final three of the teams Schultz considered. Here's his take:
Schultz held Burke's team up next to a franchise that has finished 30th, 30th and 29th in the past three seasons, and said, "I'll take Edmonton, thanks."

That's just plain anal. He went to play with 16 first round draft picks with that franchise of futility - including the top 3 of the last three drafts. And he's much, much closer to home. And had a GM/coach guarantee him ice time which I doubt Burke would - Burke would insist that he had to earn it. But of course, in this reporter-idiot's eyes, that had absolutely nothing to do with it.

How many Cups have been won with these mega-play-til-you're-40 contracts? None.

The Rangers paid Brad Richards $12 mil this season for 25 goals, 66 pts, -1. Richards ppg was 20th among NHL centers who played a bunch of games. And largely, for the next eight seasons, it's likely to trend downhill from there. I think it's premature to criticize that decision and the odds are, Burke will wind up on the side of right.

All the Kovalchuk deal has cost New Jersey so far is $3 mil in fines, a 1st and a 3rd round pick, Ponikarovsky, likely Parise & Brodeur, and a $100 mil contract that is probably giving the Devils bankers epileptic fits as they're reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy. And for all the points he's put up, he's still a minus player on a decent defensive club. I'd say it's a little premature on that one to be too judgmental.

In other words, he presents a bunch of lousy or the jury-is-out arguments and fails to make his case.

Some criticism is due to Burke but he's a much worse writer in this article than Burke has been as a GM in my opinion.

 

[Etiam Vultus]

The Canadian Armed Forces asked Brian Burke to go to Afghanistan last July 1 to spend time with the troops on Canada Day.  Can you imagine that backlash from some people in the media if he had turned down the invitation?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/free_agency/2012/07/01/spector_leafs_burke_free_agency_day1/

How many agree?

I don't agree at all. He says the Leafs were brutal last year, which isn't true. They may be called brutal the way they finished the season, but you can't call the whole season brutal IMO.

Hammering him for not landing Shultz is just dumb, he even says that lots of teams missed out, but then he raises the bar for only Burke, why? Burke did everything he could, more than other GM's did to land Shultz. He traded for his rights, unlike any other team. He blames Burke's rebuild as the reason that Shultz going elsewhere, which is also dumb. Shultz said himself that he wanted the Oiler's because he is from out there, and that the Oiler's have young up and coming Stars that are the same age and he wanted to be a part of it. He also said that Edmonton's new coach was good with him and he liked him. All those things are not Burke's fault.

He even quoted Shultz's words for not choosing Toronto. "I know (Gardiner) wanted to play with me again, but it wasn't about that. (Edmonton) is the best fit for me," said Schultz.

He's still harping on the sped up rebuild, when everybody knows that that plan has changed, like 2 years ago, get over it already!

I think that if players choose to avoid Toronto, it has more to do with the media, like this guy, than Burke. This is just a hit piece IMO.

 

[ZBBM]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/free_agency/2012/07/01/spector_leafs_burke_free_agency_day1/

How many agree?

I think the cheap shots on Burke's efforts for the soldiers in Afghanistan or the Gay Pride parade are a disgrace. Whatever point he was trying to make, he lost me there.

According to media reports, the Leafs were in the final three of the teams Schultz considered. Here's his take:
Schultz held Burke's team up next to a franchise that has finished 30th, 30th and 29th in the past three seasons, and said, "I'll take Edmonton, thanks."

That's just plain anal. He went to play with 16 first round draft picks with that franchise of futility - including the top 3 of the last three drafts. And he's much, much closer to home. And had a GM/coach guarantee him ice time which I doubt Burke would - Burke would insist that he had to earn it. But of course, in this reporter-idiot's eyes, that had absolutely nothing to do with it.

How many Cups have been won with these mega-play-til-you're-40 contracts? None.

The Rangers paid Brad Richards $12 mil this season for 25 goals, 66 pts, -1. Richards ppg was 20th among NHL centers who played a bunch of games. And largely, for the next eight seasons, it's likely to trend downhill from there. I think it's premature to criticize that decision and the odds are, Burke will wind up on the side of right.

All the Kovalchuk deal has cost New Jersey so far is $3 mil in fines, a 1st and a 3rd round pick, Ponikarovsky, likely Parise & Brodeur, and a $100 mil contract that is probably giving the Devils bankers epileptic fits as they're reportedly on the brink of bankruptcy. And for all the points he's put up, he's still a minus player on a decent defensive club. I'd say it's a little premature on that one to be too judgmental.

In other words, he presents a bunch of lousy or the jury-is-out arguments and fails to make his case.

Some criticism is due to Burke but he's a much worse writer in this article than Burke has been as a GM in my opinion.

I don't agree with you, cw.  Spector specifically says, several times, that the absence on July 1 stuff is irrelevant.  You could view that disavowal as gratuitous, just a trick to get the sleazy stuff into the column, or you can view it as an honest opinion and a shot against clowns like Simmons.  I view it as the latter.

As to what he says about Burke's record, overall he has the picture correct.  He's been wildly uneven, and the results have been dismal.  Now, that's nothing new, and the column may not qualify as groundbreaking analysis, but his criticisms are legitimate.