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The Leaf Revolution by Christopher Ralph:
April Fools’ prank by Burkey? Not quite! It’s just Leafs GM Brian Burke being himself. This afternoon Burke was on the FAN590’s HockeyCentral with Nick Kypreos. Brian apologized to Nick if he seemed “sour”.
After officially being knocked out of the playoffs with the Canadiens’ win last night, Burke stated:
“It is a day of failure. The yardstick for success in this league is playoffs, and when you miss it that represents failure.”
So…tell me “How long has Burke honestly thought his beloved Leafs were still actually in the playoff hunt?!?” Has he even looked at the roster lately?
It is notably the first time in seven years that a Burke team has not made the playoffs, and he was quick to point that out to the HockeyCentral crew.
Burke also stated to the media today this…(that is, the Leafs officially being out of the playoffs):
“…Burns my butt! This is a somber day and (missing the playoffs in a hockey-mad city) was like a kick in the groin!”
Burke went on to provide some great insight on recently signed Christian Hanson. He descibes Dave Hanson’s (of the Slapshot movie fame) as a good sized all-around skilled top 6 forward. He reminds Burke of Blake Wheeler. He’s not a fighter, but can use his size effectively. He expected him to be in the lineup on the weekend.
When asked if the Leafs would continue to go the collegiate route for signing prospects given their flexibility with respect to the salary cap, Burke responded that this is always an option, but teams are on a level playing field given that it is entry level contracts these players sign, with only bonus system offered being different. The Leafs are rumoured to also be in the hunt for University of Denver star Tyler Bozak, who is expected to announce his signing in the near future. There were 20 teams apparently in the hunt for his services.
He did go on to say the Leafs can and will spend to the cap and will be looking to get back into the playoffs as soon as next season.
“Turning Over A New Leaf”: Other Leafs Headlines:
- Didn’t get enough Burke quotes yet? Check out this article in the National Post on Burke’s thoughts on Justin Pogge’s future. Burke loves the 6′3″ young netminder’s cat-like reflexes and competiveness, but thinks his mental game is what lags behind at present time. Burke stated:
“My fear, knowing Justin a little before getting here, was that the cockiness that allows goalies to succeed – they have to earn and acquire that. I wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on when we called him up. It wasn’t tough love or to embarrass him, but a dose of realism. We’re not prepared to write him off, but we’re not guaranteeing him anything either. This is not the first goaltender that has struggled early in his career.”
- NHL.com reports the Leafs have been fined and stripped of a 4th round draft pick because of an “illegal” bonus paid to Jonas Frogan, signed in the off-season last year. Yet another Burke quote: ‘The Toronto Maple Leafs acknowledge and apologize for the error of judgment,” Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke said in a statement. ”The club accepts the punishment handed down by the League and will not be commenting further on the matter.”
- The Leafs continue to worsen their prospective 1st round pick position in the NHL entry draft this June with a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers tonight.
Christopher Ralph, aka "The Hockey Spy", is a freelance hockey writer from Calgary via Newfoundland. His own blog at The Hockey Spy covers hockey in general with a focus on prospects and the NHL Entry Draft. He also covers the Chicago Blackhawks Paint It Blackhawks. Click here for more of his THW articles, focusing on the Calgary Flames, prospects and the draft. "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." - Wayne Gretzky
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Great article. Burke’s no-punches-pulled approach is good for the game.
Thanks MJ!
I’ve mentioned in previous articles that Burke often gets more credit than he deserves for his past successes as transactions before his arrival were big factors in his teams’ later success. However, he is defnitely good for the game in general, and can deliver quotes like no other! Don’t blink or you might miss the latest Burke headline!
[...] earlier this month likened missing the playoffs to a kick in the groin. He vowed on Sportsnet that changes would be made with making the playoffs the logical next step, [...]