One thing Burke was emphatic on is that he will not sacrifice any of the team’s long-term future for short-term success.
“People say if you don’t make the playoffs you are gone,” said Burke. “That’s fine. I am not going to do anything short term to make the playoffs and keep my job.
“I want a parade. I’m not interested in making the playoffs – I want to win another championship.
“If that means we go with what we have because the price doesn’t make sense, I’m perfectly willing to do that. I’ve gotten fired before. It’s not fun, but . . .”
I really hope we make the playoffs next season because I don't want to lose Burke. The last thing we need is another management crisis, or, God forbid, Cliff Fletcher as interim G.M. again.
The fact that JR didn't recover is worrisome; hence why I believe we need a proven vet to carry the load.
Quote:
Originally Posted by iPunch
Id prefer to see players moved out as opposed to brought in.
This.
In 3 off-seasons, Burke and his people have brought in underachieving talent, now they gotta move it out. Again. This is similar to the situation he inherited from JFJ, perhaps a notch or two higher.
Tough challenge.
If one, two or three Marlie players EARN roster spots coming out of camp, I think it's worth bleeding them. Every player is a rookie once. If a couple of rookies raise our skill and compete bar, I'm all for it. Better than the overpayed underachievers that can't compete.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LeafsMonster
He's going about it the right way.
When?
2009? 2010? 2011? This summer?
Granted, rebuilding the Marlies was necessary, but the NHL club is still hopeless, remember, these are all his players on our roster.
I'll agree that he's done a great job with the Marlies, but the Marlies don't win Stanley Cups.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Grant123
People will come and say that Burke said himself the team is too small and he hates it and that he has been here 4 years now so why hasn't he fixed it. He hasn't fixed it yet because he is fixing it through the draft by getting bigger players there, just like you wanted him to do in the first place.
That's not what he said when he was first hired.
Look, I didn't expect a Stanley Cup team in 4 years, or 5. But I also didn't expect that we'd still be unable to compete for a spot in the playoffs either.
Chiarelli had more pieces to work with when he was hired on at Boston, and in 5 years his team win the cup. We were still behind Boston then, and we're even further behind 4 years later.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sam Slick
I'm not drinking the koolaid being sold right now. Fact is, Burke is the one who made this team "small".
Our prospects are big, but they did not get drafted that way. We got our good prospects via trade, but they are still AHL players. Kadri is a Burke draft and he is not exactly huge.
All that being said, I think he has done a decent job at getting us better, just don't by the BS he is selling right now.
I agree, and I like the fact that he's not spouting off nearly as much.
Perhaps he's been humbled by the play of the FA underachivers that he brought in.
He should have stuck to trading for established NHL players (Kessel; Gardiner & Lupul), fewer duds. JVR for Schenn was a step back in the right direction.
He should have stuck to trading for established NHL players (Kessel; Gardiner & Lupul), fewer duds. JVR for Schenn was a step back in the right direction.
I met Dave Nonis today in Osoyoos, BC. He came into the store I manage and was a bit taken back that I knew who he was. He was reserved and obviously wouldn't tell a Leafs fan their business but he did seem really genuine in saying we are wanting playoffs next year. (obviously every one would say this but I saw him as genuine)
I think Burkie and company are going to try to make the next step and I believe that RC as coach really makes a difference in how they will be aggressive in the trade market.
If I see DN again, I'll ask him some more Q's now that he knows I'm a huge fan.
I met Dave Nonis today in Osoyoos, BC. He came into the store I manage and was a bit taken back that I knew who he was. He was reserved and obviously wouldn't tell a Leafs fan their business but he did seem really genuine in saying we are wanting playoffs next year. (obviously every one would say this but I saw him as genuine)
I think Burkie and company are going to try to make the next step and I believe that RC as coach really makes a difference in how they will be aggressive in the trade market.
If I see DN again, I'll ask him some more Q's now that he knows I'm a huge fan.
So Nonis was in Osooyoos and Burke was in PEI? Where is Ossoyoos compared to Kelowna, home of Justin Schultz?
2 hours away.
Osoyoos has an amazing Canada Day fireworks so maybe he is here for that.
Today was the day teams were expecting to present to Justin Schultz in Mississauga. If Nonis was in Osoyoos and Burke in PEI, was Fletch going to do the presentation, or is something not being told in the Schultz situation?
Today was the day teams were expecting to present to Justin Schultz in Mississauga. If Nonis was in Osoyoos and Burke in PEI, was Fletch going to do the presentation, or is something not being told in the Schultz situation?
I don't know but Dave Nonis was in Osoyoos. I'm sure they spoke to him. From reports, it seems Edmonton and Ottawa are hot for him. I'm sure the Leafs made a good presentation. I don't know more but my guess is the Leafs are as good a destination. Time will tell. JS can't release a lot of info until he signs.....I hope it is us!
I don't know but Dave Nonis was in Osoyoos. I'm sure they spoke to him. From reports, it seems Edmonton and Ottawa are hot for him. I'm sure the Leafs made a good presentation. I don't know more but my guess is the Leafs are as good a destination. Time will tell. JS can't release a lot of info until he signs.....I hope it is us!
I believe you. Why lie about that?
I'm just trying to see this for what it is. All day, Bobby Mac was tweeting the Leafs are ready to give their presentation etc etc.
It appears there were 20+ teams in Toronto to offer a contract to Schultz, and it was reported, Schultz would meet teams this afternoon, but, Nonis was in southern BC, and Burke was across the country in PEI. What do they know that allowed them to be somewhere else today?
I'm just trying to see this for what it is. All day, Bobby Mac was tweeting the Leafs are ready to give their presentation etc etc.
It appears there were 20+ teams in Toronto to offer a contract to Schultz, and it was reported, Schultz would meet teams this afternoon, but, Nonis was in southern BC, and Burke was across the country in PEI. What do they know that allowed them to be somewhere else today?
They can only do so much. Dave said they would like to sign JS but every team would. How can anyone do more? He was open but I'm a fan and he is so not going to give up insider trading.
I think we have a shot. I bet we are top 3 teams. Just my opin.
In 3 off-seasons, Burke and his people have brought in underachieving talent, now they gotta move it out. Again. This is similar to the situation he inherited from JFJ, perhaps a notch or two higher.
Tough challenge.
If one, two or three Marlie players EARN roster spots coming out of camp, I think it's worth bleeding them. Every player is a rookie once. If a couple of rookies raise our skill and compete bar, I'm all for it. Better than the overpayed underachievers that can't compete.
I don't find it as bad challenge as it was when he started. Back then there were NTCs blocking the way and bigger contracts. As hard it is to see I think some of our lesser players has some value. Not huge, but I believe we can get rid of some of them. If cap goes up or if it doesn't go, there is very thin group of FA players. If some team needs bodies, we have some spare parts here. One year contracts. Komisarek should be tradable next summer.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ansoncarter
that stuff about patience sounds great, except he's been signing vets and trading draft picks away since the minute he got here
You have to bring in vets when you are in state where we were when Burke started. We were short on quality youngsters that could play and it's most stupid thing to rush those few when they're not ready. Short term commitments and stop gaps. Now one by one we get rid of em, because youngsters are filling in.
Today was the day teams were expecting to present to Justin Schultz in Mississauga. If Nonis was in Osoyoos and Burke in PEI, was Fletch going to do the presentation, or is something not being told in the Schultz situation?
Schultz was just meeting w his agents today. Over the next two days teams on his short list will be meeting with/making a presentation to him. So I imagine burke/nonis will be back for that
Anyone who thinks Burke is getting fired anytime soon is in for a shock.
He isnt going anywhere. He has slowly been making changes since he got here and the foundations are being laid. Building a team in the real world is not like NHL '12.
I'm sure Burke is in for Suter, Parise, Weber, Luongo and Shultz but if he doesnt get any of them then it doesnt make him a bad GM. I'm sure he was in for Staal and other players we dont even know about but if everyone is asking for Gardiner then i cant see any Trades happen.
He's made the JVR trade which is pretty good, im sure he'll keep pressing for Luongo but who knows and im sure they'll pitch for Shultz. He cant make things happen!
I can genuinely see the Leafs making no other changes this summer and it wouldnt really bother me.
In fact the biggest thing burke could do is work to offload any of Lombardi, Armstrong, Connolly or Komisarek. If anyone them are gone this summer i'd be happy.
We have to start getting realistic around here that you cant just attract top players for next to nothing.
UFA's dont really want to come here as not a contender, we dont have a lots of trade potential. So we have to continue to draft well which will improve the team and produce more trade bait.
I like his plan. Either trade for legitimate talent or don't do anyhing at all. We don't need more overpaid, borderline 2nd/3rd liners.
If we can upgrade the bottom 6 by adding some size and grit at a reasonable price, we should. Besides that, we don't eed anything from the UFA crop this year.
well thats all he has done ...and the fact he couldnt fire wilson at the apprpriate time ,no wodfer good free agents wont come here.u think any agent is gonna want his client on a team that has every fan wanting the GM'S HEAD?
if we dont get shultz ,which if he turned down detroit.he must already have decided,i think we get second tier free agents again ....even nash ........columbus wants kessel .if burke trades kessel for nash ,it would actually go a long way in myself gaining confidence in him saying he wants to get bigger
he talks big ,but i think the elite players just find toronto is a powder keg right now and hardly give the leafs a look
“With the salary cap and the new collective bargaining agreement that’s coming up, I don’t know what our plans are for filling out our roster,” Burke told the large gathering at Credit Union Place.
“Free agency starts on July 1, it’s a really thin group.
“Teams are locking all these quality players up now, so the group that is getting to the market is thin, it’s shallow. There are really two high-end players and that’s about it, (Nashville defenceman) Ryan Suter and (New Jersey forward) Zach Parise.
“I don’t think we are going to be in on either one of them.”
“People say if you don’t make the playoffs you are gone. That’s fine. I am not going to do anything short term to make the playoffs and keep my job.
“I want a parade. I’m not interested in making the playoffs – I want to win another championship.
“If that means we go with what we have because the price doesn’t make sense, I’m perfectly willing to do that. I’ve gotten fired before. It’s not fun, but . . .”
No surprise there, really: with over 11M tied up in Connolly, Lombardi, Armstrong, and guys like MacArthur surely on the trade block for lack of room in the top 6, I just don't see a place on our roster for another role player.
Probably the more interesting part -- and something I've suspected all along -- is that Burke's not planning on doing anything desperate to get us into a playoffs this year. That also makes me think that Luongo's not coming here, not yet anyways.
I'm still of the mind that Burke has an internal timetable, and when they didn't make the playoffs last year, he's into full rebuild mode, hopefully shedding all that dead weight next year at the trade deadline for more picks, and plans on handing the reigns over to Nonis with a lot of cap space and expiring contracts along with good young players and as many picks as he can get.
“With the salary cap and the new collective bargaining agreement that’s coming up, I don’t know what our plans are for filling out our roster,” Burke told the large gathering at Credit Union Place.
“Free agency starts on July 1, it’s a really thin group.
“Teams are locking all these quality players up now, so the group that is getting to the market is thin, it’s shallow. There are really two high-end players and that’s about it, (Nashville defenceman) Ryan Suter and (New Jersey forward) Zach Parise.
“I don’t think we are going to be in on either one of them.”
“People say if you don’t make the playoffs you are gone. That’s fine. I am not going to do anything short term to make the playoffs and keep my job.
“I want a parade. I’m not interested in making the playoffs – I want to win another championship.
“If that means we go with what we have because the price doesn’t make sense, I’m perfectly willing to do that. I’ve gotten fired before. It’s not fun, but . . .”
No surprise there, really: with over 11M tied up in Connolly, Lombardi, Armstrong, and guys like MacArthur surely on the trade block for lack of room in the top 6, I just don't see the room on our roster for another role player.
Probably the more interesting part -- and something I've suspected all along -- is that Burke's not planning on doing anything desperate to get us into a playoffs this year. That also makes me think that Luongo's not coming here, not yet anyways.
I'm still of the mind that Burke has an internal timetable, and when they didn't make the playoffs last year, he's into full rebuild mode, hopefully shedding all that dead weight next year at the trade deadline for more picks, and plans on handing the reigns over to Nonis with a lot of cap space and expiring contracts along with good young players and as many picks as he can get.
I don't think Burke plans to set the table for Nonis but after last seasons collapse and a new coach, the reset button was definitely the right option.
One thing I think I can say for sure:
Burke's long term planning will keep his job as President so that he can continue to guide the next GM through the pressure of this city. Missing his short term goals may get him canned within the next 2 seasons as GM.
Great organizations don't normally fire the GM during a rebuild as long as the young talent keeps growing within the system. This organization has not shown itself to be great in the modern era of hockey though...
If we had Burke instead of Petty all those years I don't think we would have gotten in this mess
it's a great thread, whatchoo talkin about? 
