Burke targets Tavares

by James Mirtle on Apr 14, 2009 12:40 PM CDT Comment 13 comments

I guess the Leafs didn't like being out of the limelight as the NHL playoffs ramp up. Here was GM Brian Burke earlier today on tonight's draft lottery and moving up in the draft:

"I'm not going to be able to sneak up on anyone. We're just going to announce it today. Once we figure out who's got the top couple of picks, we're going to go after them and see if we can move up."

Essentially, Burke said, he wants Tavares.

Good luck with that.

I can't envision a reasonable scenario where the Islanders move that pick, not when what they really need is a Grade A superstar and the Leafs don't have one to deal, but should the Lightning win the lottery and move up, who knows what transpires. The nuts that run that nuthouse seem to like defencemen, and Toronto has a few to deal.

I suppose we'll see. Perhaps Burke's just trying to make his voice heard when the Leafs have been falling by the wayside here lately. Or maybe he's serious, and is on the verge of attempting another move-up miracle.

The lottery goes tonight on TSN at 8 p.m.

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“the Leafs don’t have one to deal” and that is why Toronto will probably not be picking first or second (save some zany Tampa moments). To get you have to give and Leafs just don’t have anything other than Kaberle, Schenn and possibly Grabovski. Would they move any of those 3 or could they anyone else to move up? Magic 8ball says “Outlook not so good”.

The population of Pominville keeps rising!

by Blackcapricorn on Apr 14, 2009 1:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s an unbelievable long-shot that would need to encompass not just draft picks, established players, and prospects but also taking on bad salary and some managerial incompetence on behalf of the Lightning and Islanders.

But…if the Leafs win the lottery and jump to third it might not be slightly less of a long-shot to move into 2nd if the Islanders want Hedman.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Apr 14, 2009 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, like you said, if the Leafs won the lottery I could see it, but otherwise they just have no assets to give. I mean, Schenn is their “closest to untouchable” and wouldn’t even fetch the top-two pick straight up, so what other carrots are there?

And I could see TB being dumb, but they need to shed high-priced assets, not give up low-priced players for more filler. That’s a reach, even for a caveman.

Still, it’s fun to see blustery Burke milking the PR, but I believe Borat: “You will never get this, you will never get this, lalala-la-la.”

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Apr 14, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think I love Burke as much as he loves attention ;)

I mean, Schenn is their "closest to untouchable" and wouldn’t even fetch the top-two pick straight up, so what other carrots are there.

Wow. I notice you didn’t put this up at my site ;)

they need to shed high-priced assets

That’s where I can see an opening. The Leafs have one asset that no other team can match: Cash.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Apr 14, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow. I notice you didn’t put this up at my site ;)

It’s poor form to enter a church and point out their god is nude ;)

That’s where I can see an opening. The Leafs have one asset that no other team can match: Cash.

I was mulling over that aspect. Unless there’s some three-way, or some absurd handover of cash that upsets even the league’s sensibilities … I mean, say TB sells off Vinny, that just makes hanging on to that first pick all the more important, you know? Unless they’re soooo desperate to offload salary that they swap their lottery pick + star salary for a weaker lottery pick + a bushel of stew.

I can’t make it work in my head, but who knows. Pronger was once dealt for 50 cents/dollar to make the Blues “more attractive” to a buyer.

Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.

by Dominik on Apr 14, 2009 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, who knows what Burke is thinking beyond “LOOK AT ME!” but at least it’s interesting.

Maybe the repo rumours around the Lightning can help the Leafs.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Apr 14, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1) If the Ises win the lottery they take Taveres no matter what. If TB wins, anything is possible, but still would be shocked to see them trade the pick. Luke Schenn + picks available?

by Fauxrumors on Apr 14, 2009 1:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's done it before

Burke is good at those draft day deals. It looks like a very long shot but I wouldnt put it past him. It’s not like the Isles & Lightning have the brightest GMs anyways.

One other aspect of this might be Tavares himself. Now that it is public just how much the Leafs want him, would he pull some shenanigans and announce he will not sign for anybody but Toronto?

I am an admitted conspiracist who sees tortuous backroom deals everywhere but it could be a nicely orchestrated campaign with the Tavares clan in cahoots.

by AwkwardMoment on Apr 14, 2009 2:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

1) Not an anti Toronto post, but why would the kid want to play there so much? Yes, its close to home, but for many thats NOT a good thing.
2) Also its not like they have a club with a great front office track record the past few…….decades

by Fauxrumors on Apr 14, 2009 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1) Hometown team, more national exposure, more commercial possibilities, greater long-term earning potential
2) Good thing Stellick, McNamara, Ferguson Jr., Imlach et al aren’t in charge anymore.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Apr 14, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the ATL wins the lottery its possible. Waddell makes Isiah Thomas’s stint as a GM look good. I’m sure Burke could trade him an old washed up D man for the number one pick.

by CP2Devil on Apr 14, 2009 4:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Why is no one pointing out that TB probably owes Burke for his hooking them up with revenue sharing cash? You know that entire trade was Burke’s idea, not TB’s, they’re not that bright. he got them several million dollars in revenue sharing, and in exchange, he got a 4th round pick that was promptly taken away from him. Don’t think that Burke won’t remind them that their pocketbook is that much bigger because of his great idea. He’ll probably also try to sell them on the idea that the followup contract on a Crosby/Ovechkin level just isn’t worth the reprecussions. If TB gets the #1 overall pick, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Burke is able to pull something off. If it goes to anyone else, I think he’s SOL.

by IAmJoe on Apr 14, 2009 5:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It’s inoperative now, but the worst thing about this comment is that it isn’t 100% implausible. Probably 75% implausible, and even less likely to pan out, but even that’s sad.

by J. Michael Neal on Apr 14, 2009 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs