Burke lands in Toronto
by James Mirtle on Nov 28, 2008 6:15 AM CST
5 comments
Finally, finally the Brian Burke to Toronto business is over with, and we can cease with the hourly updates. Burke will be introduced as the Leafs GM on Saturday, just in time to get some face time with Hockey Night in Canada later that night.
There's all kinds of hyperbole being thrown around with regards to Burke these days, but I do think it's fair to say he's a relatively strong GM, among the 10 best in the league. He has significant weaknesses (the draft) and is unpopular in a lot of circles (should fit in in Toronto, no?), but overall, he assembles great management talent around him and turns non-playoff teams into competitive ones.
At this point, short of recreating what the Red Wings are doing, that's about the best Toronto can expect these days.
I used to believe Burke was the best GM in hockey, back when he worked wonders with what was a horrific Canucks lineup (and in a situation with serious ownership issues, much like Toronto, and limited cash flow) and won the Cup in Anaheim, but I've softened on that as the Ducks have slid in the standings and run up against all sorts of cap issues. His biggest problem, in my opinion, is that he's stubborn (i.e. R.J. Umberger), and often Burke is more of a risk taker than he needs to be.
It'll be an interesting mix with the ultra-cautious Dave Nonis by his side, if that's how things shake out.
Having him on a bloated six-year contract would worry me if I'm a Leafs fan, but given the alternatives — and the incredible Cup drought — this isn't a half bad bet to make. The Leafs finally flexed some financial muscle outside of spending to the cap (in previous seasons) and brought in a heavy hitter in management.
What's the worst than could happen?
When Burke landed in Anaheim, there was an incredible house-clearing, one that made many think the Ducks wouldn't be competitive for years afterward. It'll be fascinating to see what he does with the Leafs.
It's worth noting, too, that Burke and buddy Ron Wilson are extremely likely to team up on Team USA for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver.
The Life of Brian [Tim Wharnsby, The Globe and Mail]
Defending Burke's management record [Spector]
Burke deserves the credit [ye olde blog]
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Good Move by the Leafs.
I have written elsewhere the reasons that I think this is a good move by the Leafs. I’m not so eager to see Nonis join Burke in T.O. (that combo didn’t really set the world on fire at the Canucks’ draft table) but agree that one of his priorities has to be spending on significantly beefing up the Leafs’ talent evaluation/development system, effective immediately.
I kind of hope he can lure away some of the guys from Hockey Canada – maybe someone like an Al Murray – someone who’s been dedicated to evaluating the current junior/draft-eligible talent pool full time. That way, if the Leafs have a fire sale later in the season and start moving out bodies for draft picks, we actually use those picks to draft players capable of lacing ’em up in the big league someday.
jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog
"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator)
by jrwendelman on Nov 28, 2008 8:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
The Draft
GMs make choices based on the recommendations of their scouting staff. One of Burke’s first moves should be to continue to use that financial muscle to beef up the Leafs’ scouting department that has recently been ok at drafting NHLers just not impact ones.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 28, 2008 8:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Playoffs?
The Leafs will make the playoffs that ain’t the stick for measuring the investment the Leafs are making here. The Cup is the thing but what the heck should make for some good entertainment.
by swabbubba on Nov 28, 2008 10:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Bingo
These 5 and a half years will be rated a success only if Burke brings Stanley home.*
*by winning it since it spends almost all of its time at the HHoF.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 28, 2008 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting note...
It should be noted that Burke’s contract exceeds that of Ron Wilson, who signed a 4 year deal this summer. It’s always important for a GM to have a longer contract than a head coach. Wilson has definitely been the face of the team this year, but now he definitely has a boss that has more clout than him, which is a definite key here. While the Wilson hiring was seen as anything from bait to attract Burke to, worse yet, a Burke sanctioned hiring, it’s still key to note that Wilson wasn’t officially hired by Burke, and in the case of any future problems, Wilson would clearly be the one to go.
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Nov 28, 2008 12:18 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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