Vancouver Sun: The Sword of Damocles is hanging over Brian Burke's head right now

[Blackhawkswincup]

Originally Posted by crump

The year before Chicago finally made the playoffs they didn't look much better than Edmonton or Toronto this season, glimpses of a solid team, some young prospects showing real potential. A few key additions and it is entirely possible the Leafs will make the playoffs next season and do some damage.

Hawks needed a new HC and eventually a new GM to get cup

Wilson down , Burke left to go?

[crump]

Originally Posted by FlareKnight

The problem is that means just about anyone could come in next year, make the playoffs and do some damage if there is a gigantic step forward made. A few key additions will help just about anyone after all. The problem is if those key additions can be made.

That's right. So how can everyone dismiss what Burke has done in one swoop. It's ludicrous. Except for a select few who have maintained this position for years, you didn't hear much of this drivel until the Leafs went south in February, now it's carte blanche for some to jump on the pile. This blogger being a perfect example. Looking for any other relevant Leaf information from him will be a futile endeavor.

[crump]

Originally Posted by hotpaws

You're right , all we need to add is a Toews / Keith / Seabrook / Sharp / Buff / Ladd among others and we're right there .

How meaningful we're those names in 2008.

[Gatorade]

Originally Posted by crump

That's right. So how can everyone dismiss what Burke has done in one swoop. It's ludicrous. Except for a select few who have maintained this position for years, you didn't hear much of this drivel until the Leafs went south in February, now it's carte blanche for some to jump on the pile. This blogger being a perfect example. Looking for any other relevant Leaf information from him will be a futile endeavor.

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2010/1...ightful-place/

Naturally he states with conviction that he did not expect the Leafs to finish as far down in the standings with a player such as Kessel in uniform—a collapse that enabled the Bruins to select the second best player in the draft, a player in Tyler Seguin who is already at Kessel’s skill level. But the move was born from impatience–from the fact that Burke fell into the Leaf trap of needing immediate results. The glory of winning in Toronto is an incredible drug for a hockey executive—and it has laid waste to veteran and neophyte managers alike. A Maple Leaf Stanley Cup victory would elevate the master planner into the pantheon of hockey greats. A statue may one day be built for him outside the ACC. That is too big a draw for a man of Brian Burke’s ego to resist—and he wants it as soon as possible.

So he traded away three quality players to get one. His rationalization, of course, is that draft choices are an unknown quantity and he was acquiring a proven NHL scorer in the deal. But a decent (not even a great) scouting staff would have been able to draft at least two quality players and put the organization that much further ahead. Burke, however, did not have the confidence or the trust in the scouting staff he assembled.

But he wants Leaf fans to put their trust in him. Such is the gullibility and the need of Leaf fans that he has it–for now.