Burke & Wilson - Personal interests trump friendship
Just wanted to take a different angle on this issue.
Doesn't anyone think that while Burke and Wilson are supposedly good friends, if Burke starts to feel the flames reaching up to his butt, he would put his personal interests above his friendship?
Kevin Lowe and Burke were great friends before Burke decided to better his own fortunes by going after Pronger. What resulted was a battle royale that ended in Dustin Penner signed to an offer sheet by Lowe. As far as I know, those two have not buried the hatched yet.
So why would Wilson be any different? Why would Burke toss himself in front of a bus for this guy? IMO he won't if this spiral into oblivion continues for much longer.
Friends can always be replaced, reputations can't.
I can't see Burke outright firing Wilson, maybe bringing another guy in on the coaching staff and giving Wilson the ability to leave if he wants to at most.
I've been thinking that maybe Burke wouldn't have chosen Wilson if he had the choice from the start. After all it was Fletcher that brought him in as a perceived incentive for Burke. And now it's put him in an awkward place because they're friends.
Did not Burke say when on 'The Hour' with George S (alphabet) that he would definately fire Wilson if that were the right thing to do and he expected it would not affect their friendship. Burke said his # 1 responsibility was the MLSE and it's fans. Burke was excellent in that interview btw, took a lot of ribbing from George. I think he also said if he fired him it would not mean anything for Team U.S.A., that was independant.
Burke is good at what he does. He's not about I have a problem what is the solution. I've recently taken some management courses with different solution based ways at looking at challenges, and they are very much how BB seems to convey his message. He's not about I have a problem, what are the possible solutions, he's about Attention, Need, Vision, Benefit and Action.
Maybe not exactly this model, but he's more about "what's the benefit to making this move?" as opposed to this guy isn't working who do I bring in.
My point is, he seems to be always looking at ways to improve the club, and evauating the benefits of a potential move. Kaberle was never a problem, and therefore didn't need to be moved. Kubina was blocking the salary structure he envisioned, so he was moved (that move was never about Stuart or Exelby, and yes it was a bad trade).
As for Wilson, there are not better options available to be the coach, therefore what would be the point of firing him. If there was a better coach available, I'm sure BB would be talking to him occassionally just to see what the pulse of the guy is. Even in good times, because that is what he does. He knows the pulse of the team, the league and everyone involved. IMHO that is what he does best.
I think Wilson will likely get more slack than someone who wasn't a personal friend of Burke's that he obviously has the upmost faith in, but at the same time, I don't think BB would keep him on if it got the point where he obviously should be shown the door.
I don't recall Burke having a penchant for quitting on coaches in the past either. Even last year when the Ducks were terrible out of the gate, I can't find anything from last year that suggested that Randy Carlyle should be fired.
I agree that Wilson will probably be given a bit more slack than most coaches. I think Burke would fire Wilson if his job is at risk. They are both professionals making a lot of money, they can suck it up.
