The Leafs need a #1 centre, a #1 defenseman and a #1 goalie. Everyone should be on the table because there is no point in doing anything else until you have 2/3 of that formula.
Bingo. Kessel is a complementary player, he's not untouchable just because he's the best player on a bad team. I understand that the team should focus on getting a 1C/1D/1G to put Kessel in his proper role as a secondary player, but if Kessel is the only piece that can bring one of those back (or a prospect who projects as a 1C/1D) then making that move might be the only way to move this franchise forward. Sometimes it's about culture change as well.
Bingo. Kessel is a complementary player, he's not untouchable just because he's the best player on a bad team. I understand that the team should focus on getting a 1C/1D/1G to put Kessel in his proper role as a secondary player, but if Kessel is the only piece that can bring one of those back (or a prospect who projects as a 1C/1D) then making that move might be the only way to move this franchise forward. Sometimes it's about culture change as well.
I suspect that Burke and Carlyle sit down when this disaster is over and Burke asks Carlyle "ok, who do ya like, who can play the way you want them to play"?
I can see his answer being a) very short list with Kessel not on it as one who can play his way and
b) a very long list of those he could do without, and Kess being on that list
Either way, Kess is on a list, bad news, neither list has Kess as a Leaf next year
Agreed, Burke`s biggest issue is his complete botching or inability to find a centerman which enables Kess to NOT be the #1 focus of attention. Lupul and Kess together have put up some pts, but on a team who has little else outside of them, it becomes pretty easy to form a game plan. For a guy who`s made some absolutely awful moves, the guy does a ton of talking.
Burke`s biggest issue is what UFA out there would ever entertain the thought of moving to Toronto with them being miles away from being a Contender who isn`t solely out for the money????? He may get Nash in the summer, but that would only be cuz if there is one team out there who`s a bigger mess than the Leafs, it`s the Jackets and it would actually be a step up, but he still won`t be nearly enough
Goaltending is merely half the issue Trapper, Schenn and Phaneuf are absolute defensive pylons out there, Gardiner is going to be a very solid NHL`er but he`s young and a touch away from being there, if Komisarek gets even one minute on any team`s blueline, I can pinpoint for ya what the issue is
29 other teams would can Burke the moment the horn sounds to end this season, but MLSE doesn`t have the first idea about how to run a franchise, they just see the bottom line, and line lines has loads of zero`s on it with sold out barns nightly.
Fans in TO want change???? Take a lesson from Hawks and Bruin fans, stop planting your arses in the seats at the ACC, see how MLSE higher ups like seeing 4-5,000 empty seats a game, til then, I have no sympathy for them.
I agree that defensively,TO need to be way better but look at the Bruins and what Rask/Thomas did for them. There was numerous nights where our defense was brutal but the team still ended up with a win because of the superb goaltending. I think both issues are related but, at some point, your goaltender need to steal a couple of games and i didn't saw that, for far, in TO. I think you're right on the money when you talk about empty seats and the way some ownership are running their team. Montreal and Toronto are very tough and special market. Both ownership are very reluctant to " tank " 2-3 years in order to get competitive again. They are afraid of the consequences on the " corporate " side of their business ( corporate seat, pub, etc etc ). In Montreal, the fan is ready to do what ever it take to be able to compete for a Cup but Molson... has it's own way. As a Bruins fan, you wish that Gauthier will keep his job and continue to make bad decisions " à la " Kaberle.
I agree that defensively,TO need to be way better but look at the Bruins and what Rask/Thomas did for them. There was numerous nights where our defense was brutal but the team still ended up with a win because of the superb goaltending. I think both issues are related but, at some point, your goaltender need to steal a couple of games and i didn't saw that, for far, in TO. I think you're right on the money when you talk about empty seats and the way some ownership are running their team. Montreal and Toronto are very tough and special market. Both ownership are very reluctant to " tank " 2-3 years in order to get competitive again. They are afraid of the consequences on the " corporate " side of their business ( corporate seat, pub, etc etc ). In Montreal, the fan is ready to do what ever it take to be able to compete for a Cup but Molson... has it's own way. As a Bruins fan, you wish that Gauthier will keep his job and continue to make bad decisions " à la " Kaberle.
If Leaf fans thought the Teachers Pension fund was all about making money, wait until Rogers/Bell take over ownership. They have ways of making money with the Leafs that no one else has access to. Not only do they own the Leafs, but the Raptors, Toronto FC, the Marlies and (Rogers) the Blue Jays and the TV rights.
I agree that defensively,TO need to be way better but look at the Bruins and what Rask/Thomas did for them. There was numerous nights where our defense was brutal but the team still ended up with a win because of the superb goaltending. I think both issues are related but, at some point, your goaltender need to steal a couple of games and i didn't saw that, for far, in TO. I think you're right on the money when you talk about empty seats and the way some ownership are running their team. Montreal and Toronto are very tough and special market. Both ownership are very reluctant to " tank " 2-3 years in order to get competitive again. They are afraid of the consequences on the " corporate " side of their business ( corporate seat, pub, etc etc ). In Montreal, the fan is ready to do what ever it take to be able to compete for a Cup but Molson... has it's own way. As a Bruins fan, you wish that Gauthier will keep his job and continue to make bad decisions " à la " Kaberle.
Where Burke has failed the most (and trust me, the list of areas is awfully long for such a great GM) is in the category of "trucculence", his word not ours, he put it out there from Day one and he`s obtained/drafted/traded for players anything but.
That`s a colossal mess in Toronto, and Burke is THE man calling the shots, and in most other cities, he`d be long gone by now, how a GM who can`t make the playoffs in that long keeps his job is beyond me, just makes me all the more grateful that this organization has a GM like Chia and a Prez named Cam.....and dare I say, an ownership that seems to keep it`s noses out of the business of both
If Leaf fans thought the Teachers Pension fund was all about making money, wait until Rogers/Bell take over ownership. They have ways of making money with the Leafs that no one else has access to. Not only do they own the Leafs, but the Raptors, Toronto FC, the Marlies and (Rogers) the Blue Jays and the TV rights.
All franchises mentioned have one thing in common......................no Champions amongst them
Although I`m liking the way the Jays are putting together some serious young talent but that`s for another thread
If Leaf fans thought the Teachers Pension fund was all about making money, wait until Rogers/Bell take over ownership. They have ways of making money with the Leafs that no one else has access to. Not only do they own the Leafs, but the Raptors, Toronto FC, the Marlies and (Rogers) the Blue Jays and the TV rights.
And they will be looking to exploit them to the fullest. Filling seats is one thing, selling a cable station based on the leafs is what they want and where the real money is.
) is in the category of "trucculence", his word not ours, he put it out there from Day one and he`s obtained/drafted/traded for players anything but.
