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Burke’s Problems
by Paul on 10/22/09 at 12:33 PM ET
Comments (5)
from Jim Kelley of Sportsnet,
It should also fall on Burke to recognize that truculence is not a synonym for skill and that if you’re going to add toughness to allow your skilled players to play better, you better have the skilled players that will benefit from the added option. The Leafs didn’t have those players -or at least enough of them-before Burke got to Toronto. They don’t have them now.
If you want to stretch fact to the edge of opinion, I would argue that Burke is also wrong in assessing the Kessel deal with Boston. His argument is that he couldn’t get a player of that age and skill level for less than the three draft picks (two firsts and a second) he surrendered to the Bruins.
I admire and respect a man who stands by a belief, but that’s not the same as doing whatever is necessary to get what’s necessary to survive and prosper. I don’t steal, but I can’t say I never would, not if there’s a loaf of bread available and my family was starving. A person does what he or she has to do. Burke knows that, every man does.
And no matter how he chooses to defend the Kessel trade, he overpaid. He paid a price for Kessel with the idea that he wouldn’t be paying with the possibility of a first overall selection in the 2010 Entry Draft. It seemed both logical and defensible at the time, but it wasn’t exactly a given. Burke bet that he made enough moves in the free-agent market to assure he won’t put the franchise in that position. The standings could change, but for now at least it appears he could lose that bet.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs | KK Hockey | Permalink
Comments
He argued that his plan to improve the offence by bringing in a top-flight goal scorer Phil Kessel will be justified once the former Boston Bruin is healthy enough to play…..
He’s putting a lot of pressure on Kessel.
Kessel has had one good season and that was with one of the league’s premier pivots. He wasn’t the main guy in Boston either, they had Chara and Savard plus a Vezina winning goalie in net. He was considered a prospect who had a break out season.
I hope Burke isn’t expecting anything more than a 35 goal scorer at best. If he thinks he going to be some kind of superstar who will transform the organ-I-zation with toughness, all around play and leadership abilities he’s probably mistaken. That’s just not Kessel (imo). If Burke’s only expepecting 30-35 goals from Kessel then fine, but he still gave up a lot for that.
It’s sure going to be fun to watch it all play out though.
Posted by Lindas1st from New England on 10/22/09 at 12:59 PM ET
I am loving this as I have always thought Burke was way overrated in addition to being a loudmouth GM who loves to stress thuggery over skill. The only Cup winning team he was around was the Ducks who got a gift with the Pronger deal from Edmonton that helped push them over the top. I read most of the pieces of that team were brought in by his predecessor.
Posted by Mike from Idaho on 10/22/09 at 01:01 PM ET
These stories that continue to pop up slamming Burke and/or Toronto’s situation is getting as ridiculous as the stories about Basilee attempt to buy the Coyotes. Seems like every journalist/reporter/analyst/NHL wannabe jumps on the bandwagon when they smell blood, flying off the handle (kinda like I am doing now), saying what is wrong with Burke and the Leafs. If these people only knew what it is like to be on the inside, on the hot seat, maybe we could get some objectionable insight from them rather than the bile they write/spew to fill space and attempt to attract interest.
Posted by Simian on 10/22/09 at 01:03 PM ET
Thank you Simian for that post… I agree!
I think it is way to early to really judge Burke’s success this season (and moving forward). 7 games in does not make a season. Does it look bad, yep sure does. Is it the end of the world, don’t think so.
I do agree Burke may have misjudged the offensive talent he has on the current team, but the part of the team that is failing is the D and the G’s - something that most people thought would be fairly strong on the season’s eve.
I don’t think the Leafs will be in the bottom 5 come seasons end - they have a lot of work to do but I think they are capable of at least that.
As Simian mentioned, it is way too easy to stand on the outside looking in with no consequences and judge - but I guess as humans that is maybe what we do best.
Posted by WingMan from The Q C on 10/22/09 at 02:22 PM ET
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I couldn’t believe how awful the Leafs looked during a game I watched a few weeks ago. Seemed like their thug/player ratio was way over the type. But isn’t this just a reflection on Burke’s own character? He’s always been a thuggish GM, and the way he reacted to the Bertuzzi assault on Moore, and has continued to react, is proof positive.
I’m not a Leaf hater by any means. But it is great to see Brian Burke rotting in hell.
Posted by rwhater on 10/22/09 at 12:43 PM ET