Before explaining why he isn't ready to blow up the entire roster in a puffy blue-and-white mushroom cloud, the emotional Maple Leafs general manager wanted to set the record straight on one controversial point.
Day after day, he is reminded by media, critics and fans alike, that he allegedy predicted the Leafs would make the playoffs.
Wrong.
"I never said that," Burke claimed yesterday. "I said it was our goal to make the playoffs. There is nothing wrong with setting the bar high, but there were never any guarantees made."
Burke said it is easy to explain how the ship has veered so far off course to date. Here, in a nutshell, is his rundown.
1. GOALTENDING
The plan was for Vesa Toskala to be healthy and young Jonas Gustavsson to showcase his talents.
Neither scenario has played out that way.
"We shut down Vesa last year so he could get the medical attention he needed and come back fresh," Burke said. "Obviously, things didn't go like that. We know Vesa has not been great. But we also believe he is capable of being better.
"Jonas hardly has had a chance to play because of injury. Let's not be pushing any panic buttons until we see how our goaltending plays out when healthy. Good goaltending can turn a team around quickly."
2. DEFENCE
The plan was for the additions of Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and Garnet Exelby to solidify the back end. That hardly has been the case to date.
"We know Komisarek and Beauchemin aren't playing up to expectations," Burke said. "But does anyone really think it's going to stay that way? We don't. In fact, if July 1 came all over again, we'd do the exact same things."
3. OFFENCE
The plan was to bring in an established top-end scorer to augment a roster that basically finished 10th in goals-for last season. If those returnees up front could improve or, at least, maintain status quo, the feeling was that the Leafs would be fine offensively.
So far, they are anything but.
"We brought in the elite guy with the acquisition of Phil Kessel," Burke said.
"He hasn't played yet. As for the other guys, obviously they have struggled and that's translated on the score board. We need guys to pick it up."
4. TEAM TOUGHNESS
The plan was to add sandpaper to the roster, which was addressed by bringing in the Exelbys, the Komisareks, the Colton Orrs.
"Our trainer has been on the ice once all year, and that was when Vesa was crashed into in New York," Burke said. "And no one points out that you don't see teams engaging in a lot of post-whistle scrums with us, giving us facewashes after faceoffs, those types of things. They know how (tough) we can be."
Maybe. At the same time, however, frustrated Torontonians also know how tough it is being a Leafs fan these days.
"I know myself," Burke said. "I hate to lose. But right now we are sticking with the plan."
AS he should (stick with the plan) The last thing we need to see is Burke starting to trade away prospects just to sneak into the playoffs. I for one do not believe this team is this bad. Once the goaltendeing is solidified things will start to turn around.
The plan was to add sandpaper to the roster, which was addressed by bringing in the Exelbys, the Komisareks, the Colton Orrs.
"Our trainer has been on the ice once all year, and that was when Vesa was crashed into in New York," Burke said. "And no one points out that you don't see teams engaging in a lot of post-whistle scrums with us, giving us facewashes after faceoffs, those types of things. They know how (tough) we can be."
Maybe. At the same time, however, frustrated Torontonians also know how tough it is being a Leafs fan these days.
"I know myself," Burke said. "I hate to lose. But right now we are sticking with the plan."
Actually the team has had far more scrums after the whistle as far as I can recollect. Burke is in serious spin mode on this one issue. The goons on the 4th line haven't benefitted the other 3 lines even one iota. The top 3 lines aren't forechecking harder, they aren't charging the net harder and they aren't competing for pucks harder as far as I've seen. That's all stuff that usually shows up on scoresheets. The truth remains that he traded more grit, effort, size and/or bravery from the team's top 9 forwards in Antropov and Moore at the last trade deadline than he added this off-season. Basically we have a softer forward group than we did last year plus a couple of goons to take the place of Brad May and Andre Deveaux
On the blueline we have effectively added one tough body in Komisarek. With Exelby unable to play at an acceptable level, Beauchemin and Kubina are virtually indistinguishable in terms of toughness. And to achive this Burke has handicapped our defense skillwise leaving us 2 1/2 puck movers at best. Hasn't he been watching the NHL since the lockout? Defensemen who move the puck are more important than ever.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bionic
AS he should (stick with the plan) The last thing we need to see is Burke starting to trade away prospects just to sneak into the playoffs. I for one do not believe this team is this bad. Once the goaltendeing is solidified things will start to turn around.
I think our new additions just need some time to get used to a new team/system...it's obviously taking longer than expected but i wouldnt be surprised to see the wins start rolling in soon.
To me, the one big thing that's been lacking is some heart in this team. For whatever reason this team just does not seem to play with any passion for the game. Perhaps the media and fan pressure has gotten into their heads a bit. I'm starting to miss a guy like Moore or Devereaux who gave it their all every shift and always tried to make things happen.
He talks out of both sides of his mouth all the time. He wants to say he never said we would make the playoffs? thats fine. Then at least dont insult our intellegence by then saying he traded away our first round pick because we wouldnt pick anyone of significance with later round picks (which means we make the playoffs)
He talks out of both sides of his mouth all the time. He wants to say he never said we would make the playoffs? thats fine. Then at least dont insult our intellegence by then saying he traded away our first round pick because we wouldnt pick anyone of significance with later round picks (which means we make the playoffs)
Did he say later round selection, or did he say we won't be able to transfer that pick into a player of Kessel caliber? I've heard the second, but not the first.
Quote:
Originally Posted by MSP4LYFE
I don't like how he continually defends all of his moves to date, despite the terrible product on ice, clearly there were mistakes made.
You expect him to say, "Ya, that one really missed?" Not only that, but you expect him to say it after 7 games into the season?
I don't like how he continually defends all of his moves to date, despite the terrible product on ice, clearly there were mistakes made.
I don't want to start debating the same things that have been debated all over this board but what if Burke's plan is a long term one? How can we be so sure these mistakes have been made?
He talks out of both sides of his mouth all the time. He wants to say he never said we would make the playoffs? thats fine. Then at least dont insult our intellegence by then saying he traded away our first round pick because we wouldnt pick anyone of significance with later round picks (which means we make the playoffs)
OK wait now. That should be phrased picks.
So we won't be able to match PKs skill lvl with either of the two firsts or a second.
Nice back handed compliment to the scouting staff, kinda like the back hander he lade on the fans claiming a teardown can not work here because WE are impatient or the fact of the prices the fans pay to see the games, Odd i always thought MLSE set ticket prices?
Back to the draft, well i hope this shuts those people up that keep carping on about a DET/NJD type built team. Even our own vaunted GM is claiming we won't be able to find a 30+ goal scorer with 2 1rsts and a 2nd on a non playoff team, let alone in the late rounds. WOW talk about mixed messages.
I started a thread last week asking" What is the plan"
No one had a clue what the plan was or how he is going about rebuilding.. Usually you rebuild via the draft and surround your high picks with quality free agents...
So now that he states " he is sticking to the plan " could he enlighten us what it is .. because I cant figure it out and so far no one else has been able to enlightened me
I started a thread last week asking" What is the plan"
No one had a clue what the plan was or how he is going about rebuilding.. Usually you rebuild via the draft and surround your high picks with quality free agents...
So now that he states " he is sticking to the plan " could he enlighten us what it is .. because I cant figure it out and so far no one else has been able to enlightened me
Well the plan hrmmm, i'll give that some thought. I know what the goal is and that is to get his paymasters there PO $ ASAP.
Sign a bunch of defenseman and trade surplus.Ignore Gaborik,trade picks,then tank.Trade away young defenseman for very little(Stralman).Then pray some young kid from Sweden can save the day with 1 game NHL experience.Play tired old vets who lose over and over and bench your future captain.Does any of this make sense?
Nothing that has been done so far makes any sense.I have to be honest,I know it isn't up to me and Burke is a loyal guy but I would fire any coach for a 0 -10 start.Quinn is sure doing a lot with those young guys in EDM.
So we won't be able to match PKs skill lvl with either of the two firsts or a second.
Nice back handed compliment to the scouting staff, kinda like the back hander he lade on the fans claiming a teardown can not work here because WE are impatient or the fact of the prices the fans pay to see the games, Odd i always thought MLSE set ticket prices?
Back to the draft, well i hope this shuts those people up that keep carping on about a DET/NJD type build team. Even our own vaunted GM is claiming we won't be able to find a 30+ goal scorer with 2 1rsts and a 2nd on a non playoff team, let alone in the late rounds. WOW talk about mixed messages.
I started a thread last week asking" What is the plan"
No one had a clue what the plan was or how he is going about rebuilding.. Usually you rebuild via the draft and surround your high picks with quality free agents...
So now that he states " he is sticking to the plan " could he enlighten us what it is .. because I cant figure it out and so far no one else has been able to enlightened me
Ok well the plan, first off you need to understand the stratagem of ownership and that is PO$ sooner then later.
You will see BS sign more FAs next year and you will see the young players being in the minors, being defended as " they are not ready or did not earn a spot" unlike the vets on the team.
I don't believe sticking a 3+ million dollar contract in the minors as a TRUE option for him. Yes we did have the likes of Bell, Devo and Battaglia down there last year. But we did not spend to the cap last year either, so on the BOGs balance sheet, no actual money is lost.
I don't foresee BS dumping our UFAs at the deadline if we have an honest shot at a PO spot and I'm not all that positive if he would take the chance on the young AHL players if we are in the area of giving up a lotto pick to Boston either.
I do believe BS has painted himself into a corner.
One thing i know is not part of the plan, that is to build this team through the draft.
If he feels that they can not find a PK skill lvl with these up coming firsts and 2nds, I'm not sure how he can justify having the confidence to do it with later picks.
you know its bad when the best he can come up with is the number of times the trainer has been on the ice, and the number of post-whistle scrums.
both are irrelevant to team success. and even if they were relevant, both could be attributed to the team being very tough.....or very soft.
Actually it is relevant. IMO ovr the summer he built a solid defence, just are not currently playing like one, and no question teams are not pushing the leafs around physically and that was a problem last year. 2 problems fixd so far.
It is like a golf swing , fixing a flaw can make your game worse for a whle but wil get better overall soon enough.
The leafs paythe league 10 million plus dolars every year now because of their profits, this goes to fnancialy troubled teams to help them survive. a player in the minrs making 3 millon just offsets this league payout.
A hockey team is not as good as it's GM, and thats it.
Burke couldn't of predicted injuries, he couldn't of predicted Komisarek who was being primed to be the mtl habs capt to be so weak out of the gate.
A team isn't just a GM, a team is 23 players a coach and so on.
"No (Battle) plan survives first contact with its enemy" von Moltke
Meaning, whatever you plan for never happens, there will always be things you cant plan on such as injuries or weak performances. However part of the uncertainty should go into planning.
For those reasons I was against the Kessel deal and have pages of posts to back it up.
You all have to look at a season and be prepared to lose games to injury and poor performance.
Classic Burke everybody else is to blame everyone else is wrong everyone else is to be held accountable and everything he does is 100 percent correct. And now he's being a weasel and playing word games I never guaranteed we'd be in the playoffs well if you can't guarantee it then don't be trading away high draft picks DUH!
As for Burke not being able to predict well that's the difference between a good GM and a bad GM. A good GM WILL know if a player sucks and will know how much to pay him. Every GM makes a mistake or two that's normal but look at Burke's track record in detail in VAN and ANA mistake after mistake after mistake. That's why some teams stay bad cause their GMs are bad they draft the wrong guys and they sign the wrong FAs and they make the wrong trades! Good GMs can judge talent can make crafty deals etc. Why do some teams at the bottom never get better they don't have quality GMs and they don't make the right player moves simple as that the best defense a team can have against dumb GMs is plenty of high draft picks and hope to hit on some studs. Other then that you're screwed.
A hockey team is not as good as it's GM, and thats it.
Burke couldn't of predicted injuries, he couldn't of predicted Komisarek who was being primed to be the mtl habs capt to be so weak out of the gate.
A team isn't just a GM, a team is 23 players a coach and so on.
Sorry my friend but a GM does not get off so easily, not by a long shot.
The GM is responsible for the coach that is in charge, as a matter of fact he is responsible for ALL the coach's and scouts, seeing he is the one keeping them employed. As for the players and there talent evaluation, umm huh? that is the main job and responsibility of the GM. He is the one that signed them or traded for them or kept them around, from the previous regime.
What's the difference if you build through the draft or acquire young players other ways? Doesn't matter IMO..and don't understand why all the pissing and moaning, pretty nice group for the future and I'm sure it will only improve: Kadri (high level), Kessel (high level), Schenn (high level), Gustavsson (mid-high), Tlusty (mid), Bozak (mid) and others...not so bad...
I like him being aggressive and attempting to sign guys like Kessell , I just dont like him giving up 1st round picks.. I would rather he gave up all our other picks .. just not the 1st rounders.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Faltorvo
Ok well the plan, first off you need to understand the stratagem of ownership and that is PO$ sooner then later.
You will see BS sign more FAs next year and you will see the young players being in the minors, being defended as " they are not ready or did not earn a spot" unlike the vets on the team.
I don't believe sticking a 3+ million dollar contract in the minors as a TRUE option for him. Yes we did have the likes of Bell, Devo and Battaglia down there last year. But we did not spend to the cap last year either, so on the BOGs balance sheet, no actual money is lost.
I don't foresee BS dumping our UFAs at the deadline if we have an honest shot at a PO spot and I'm not all that positive if he would take the chance on the young AHL players if we are in the area of giving up a lotto pick to Boston either.
I do believe BS has painted himself into a corner.
One thing i know is not part of the plan, that is to build this team through the draft.
If he feels that they can not find a PK skill lvl with these up coming firsts and 2nds, I'm not sure how he can justify having the confidence to do it with later picks.
I started a thread last week asking" What is the plan"
No one had a clue what the plan was or how he is going about rebuilding.. Usually you rebuild via the draft and surround your high picks with quality free agents...
So now that he states " he is sticking to the plan " could he enlighten us what it is .. because I cant figure it out and so far no one else has been able to enlightened me
I found it odd the other day when Burke was on the FAN and was asked about the Kessel trade and the picks. He stated that he did not feel building through the draft was a good model for success. His argument was that the game changers are few and far between, and few draft picks turn out to be those type of players. I wish I had the direct quote, but I believe that is an accurate synopsis.
I find his statement to be very disingenuous. I really don't think he believes that rebuilding through the draft is a poor model. Especially in an era where many / most FAs are getting way overvalued, you need high talent, young players on your roster that are making less to balance your value / bang for the buck out. Building through the FA market is an expensive path and IMO eats too much of your cap in proportion to what those players contribute to the team.
Finger : Good player / overvalued
Komi : Good player / overvalued
etc.
Do you think he really thinks that building through the draft is a poor method? Or is it just CYA on his part, in case the Kessel trade does not work out well?
If anyone has the transcript can you point me to it so I can make sure I did not misinterpret Burke's statement?
Found it: Listening now and will add the actual quote(s)
Ok. So Burke was being asked about franchise players and rebuilding teams. The host suggested that the Leafs are thin on those type of layers and that the way to rebuild and get those franchise players is typically through the draft.
Burke responded by stating that "Well, typically its the draft in a pre-lockout rebuild"
Burke seems to be implying that this is no longer the case in a post-lockout era. If that is his opinion I think he is off on this point.
The rest of his discussion is hard to decrypt. He seems to suggest that the Tavares and Stamkos type players are only available with the first few picks and teams rarely trade those. Then those players lockup for 4-5 years before they reach FA. So, the way you get them is to wait until they hit FA in their late 20s and "still have some miles left on the odometer" and then get them through FA.
Assuming I decrypted his discussion correctly I think that is a bad direction / plan. You then have former top 5 draft picks that have played in the NHL for a decade or so. The market for these players on FA seems to often result in signing a player to more than they are worth thus the poor value / bang for the buck.
Am I reading Burke right on this point?
Last edited by MacOfNiagara: 10-23-2009 at 09:55 AM.
