I was at a luncheon with Burke today in London, so here's just a few of what I thought were the more interesting points. Some might seem a little redundant, but I'm not sure what he's officially spoken on so I'll just say all I can remember.
Disclaimer
Just paraphrasing. You can believe the paraphrase, but don't quote my wording unless I've quoted it, although I likely won't as my memory isn't THAT good to remember word for word. Not saying I'm not accurate, but I would never quote him in person unless I wrote it down exactly which I did not.
He was asked about the
possibility of a team in southwestern Ontario, and said that he's not allowed to discuss, but that in the event that the League decides it's the best plan of action, they'll say, "okay, what happens next" and sort of go with the flow.
He did sound like he agreed with the league's decision and hopes Baum does as well. He spoke about the idea that they don't like Balsille's attempts to skirt the rules. According to Burke, Balsille thinks that when you buy a team, you get the players, the coaches, the uniforms, the gm, etc. But all of those things are not permanent; what he's really getting, the only thing he's getting is the rights to control a team, and a promise of territory that the team is in. The promise that no other team will infringe upon their territory. His analogy was that of buying a Starbucks in North London and saying, okay, I'll bid 100K above the highest bidder, but I want to move it to downtown Toronto near another Starbucks, that has been promised ten square blocks or so.
On the Kessel situation:
Acknowledged that the Leafs are very much involved with the PK sweepstakes. He answered a question about the offer sheet by saying, yes the Leafs are postured to offer sheet him and willing to do so but he values their relationships around the league, such as the one with Chiarelli (got the sense he still thought of the offer sheet as a, ice-builder) and would rather work it out through a trade. Didn't specify if it was just one, but he did say there was "another team" involved and they were trying or considering a some sort of arrangement that would satisfy all three teams. At one point in that sentence he did mention the word three-way.
He did say there was no urgency really in the situation as Kessel was out for a while so he, the Bruins and the Leafs "don't care" to rush the situation.
It sounded as though he didn't believe there was a chance that Kessel was resigned, stating that it was possible, but if the Bruins signed Kessel for what Burke said he was worth, about 5M, then the problems they have now would seem like a joke. He expects some sort of development (unclear as to whether he meant Bruins or Leafs in terms of Kessel, I thought the Bruins) in the next two to three weeks in terms of figuring out what will be most likely for Phil's future.
Burke disclosed that he had spoken again to Chiarelli before the Bruins game but that no progress was made, and that they are still deep in talks. Doesn't sound like they'll lose contact anytime soon.
Regarding the Offense...
He said that he believes the toughness they've added and the additions to the defence on their own (stated ability to move the puck, win in their own end) should help improve the offense, and make enough of a difference that he isn't particularily worried.
He said he likes to run his team like a business, and his job is to entertain us as much as he can, give us the most for our money. Again, he reiterated that the Leafs would make the playoffs this year (after being asked when he REALLY thought it would happen, which he likened to his wife asking what he HONESTLY meant in a fight
)
Likened
Gustavsson to Jonas Hiller, for whom he originally coined the term B+ goaltender. Says that butterfly goalies don't make saves, they stop pucks. But the Monster is a butterfly goaltender who is an incredible athlete who is very talented at making the exciting saves, which makes him a very entertaining prospect for the team.
About Gustavsson's medical issue, he said it was like a car that was running perfectly but the radio didn't work. Every once in a while his heart rate got really high but didn't go down quickly, and that he'll be fine now. He did comment on hockey players, compared to other athletes who lie about injuries to get out of playing, Gustavsson (like many others) lied through his teeth to not be "shut down" even if temporarily. Gustavsson said it happened 5 or 6 times before, which Burke said probably meant 10 or 20.
Couple of funny things he said...He's a really comical speaker.
When he came on in..Hartford or Vancouver or wherever at the beginning of his career, he was speaking to Mike Keenan.
He said, "I had a conversation with Mike Keenan, right before I fired his a*$" where he told me that he played with me in college. I said, well Mike I don't remember you, and he said that he didn't remember me. So I told him, well, I know I played a lot more than you did, and I know that I played in the AHL and you didn't, so I guess there isn't a lot more to talk about is there Mike!
When he was talking about the three pillars of his team, and community service, he said that if a player was asked to do something, and he said no, he was young enough and on a two-way contract, he'd be on the Marlies the very next day. And if he was older and couldn't be sent down, he'd try to trade him to the city where he and his family would be the most miserable. Burke then said..."Most of them assume I'm talking about Edmonton"
Burke stayed afterwards for pictures and extra questions that the Club didn't let him answer with anyone who was still around. They also raffled off some gift certificates to all who registered at the beginning, and when they had done that raffle, he turned to the MC and said something to the effect of 'the gm of the visiting team always gets two complimentary tickets. Throw those in there.' And he ended up being given a standing ovation.
I'll try to add in other things if I remember them...If there's an issue I missed you can ask and it might shake my memory if he spoke about it.
Overall, I was very impressed with Burke as a speaker both for informative value and for his people skills that we are all so aware of. He loves talking, and he's got some intelligent/entertaining things to say.
Just my amateur reporting. Enjoy.
