Burke was the wrong guy for the job to begin with. Burke has never been the type to sit down and rebuild a team over a long period of time. He's always been the big move, make a lot of noise and do things as quickly as possible type of guy. For certain teams, at certain times, that works. But not here and not now.
- Two_For_Truth

To be fair, if we are doing a complete crap the bed rebuild not even trying to improve the team for 5 years Edmonton style rebuild i could be the GM. I have indoor soccer Monday nights is all so i'm unavailable then.

No talk here about the rumour on Twitter?

No talk here about the rumour on Twitter?
- Leafland

go on

go on
- .HOHO.

You're telling me you havent heard?

You're telling me you havent heard?
- Leafland

The Bird is the Word?

The Bird is the Word?
- walshyleafsfan1

Daly is the word...so no need to bother

The Bird is the Word?
- walshyleafsfan1

DAMMIT!

Un(frank)ingbelievable.

Burke was the wrong guy for the job to begin with. Burke has never been the type to sit down and rebuild a team over a long period of time. He's always been the big move, make a lot of noise and do things as quickly as possible type of guy. For certain teams, at certain times, that works. But not here and not now.
- Two_For_Truth

sooo....in other words we need JFJ without a puppet master?

To be fair, if we are doing a complete crap the bed rebuild not even trying to improve the team for 5 years Edmonton style rebuild i could be the GM. I have indoor soccer Monday nights is all so i'm unavailable then.
- walshyleafsfan1

That's not true at all. Just because a team like the Oilers are finishing dead last and drafting 1st overall every year, doesn't mean they don't have very difficult decisions to make. There are lots of examples of teams that have high picks and yet don't know how to use them wisely of effectively.

Also, you have to remember, as important as the 1st overall picks are, you also have to be very good at drafting everywhere else to create the right supporting cast of players.

Don't get me wrong, drafting 1st overall over and over again makes it much easier but it still takes a lot of evaluation and patience to do the whole thing right.

sooo....in other words we need JFJ without a puppet master?
- JIMI-JAMES

Probably not the best example but somewhat the right idea.

It's almost as if you need a fall guy who you can blame for coming in last every year for a few years but at the same time have that guy be very good at evaluating talent and drafting. Then, once he's done taking all the blame and doing all the dirty work, you have a guy like Burke who likes nothing more than making a big trade to put the team over the top.

The more I think about it, the more it reminds me of Adam Oates and Brett Hull. You get one guy who is the creative one, quietly setting up the whole play and the other guy who finishes it off. Both are important but they go in a certain and important order.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/mobileweb/2012/12/03/edmonton-quality-of-life-top-canadian-city_n_2234811.html


- robin_steele264

Where is Edmonton on a list from someone reputable?
http://api.viglink.com/ap...glnk_jsonp_13546536081952

SURPRISE!

Henrik Sedin acting like a spoiled little b!tch!

Mike, you shouldve split these two blogs up. The Luongo idea will always create discussin and u totally alienated any discussion about the Leafs prospects who were invited to the WJC.

Nilsson - don't know much about him, as per French he's going to make the squad.

Sparks - this kid just keeps getting better. I watched him play midget for the Illinois blues a few years back and he could barely stand on his skates and now he's being invited to the WJ camp. He has a chance of making the team but probably won't be the starter, either way its a huge accomplishment considering where he was 4 years ago.

Biggs - I think he's a lock to make it just not sure what role the coaching staff will give him.

Rielly- he will be one of the stars of the tournament.

Mike, you shouldve split these two blogs up. The Luongo idea will always create discussin and u totally alienated any discussion about the Leafs prospects who were invited to the WJC.

Nilsson - don't know much about him, as per French he's going to make the squad.

Sparks - this kid just keeps getting better. I watched him play midget for the Illinois blues a few years back and he could barely stand on his skates and now he's being invited to the WJ camp. He has a chance of making the team but probably won't be the starter, either way its a huge accomplishment considering where he was 4 years ago.

Biggs - I think he's a lock to make it just not sure what role the coaching staff will give him.

Rielly- he will be one of the stars of the tournament.
- coolehmon41

I am looking forward to watching some leaf prospects finally.. Too bad the games are at stupid times...

Where is Edmonton on a list from someone reputable?
http://api.viglink.com/ap...glnk_jsonp_13546536081952
- BoBBeR56

Haha. CNN.

SURPRISE!

Henrik Sedin acting like a spoiled little b!tch!
- As_I_See_It

Yeah I'll have two tickets in the 3rd row for Jimmy_Tea's Show

Yeah I'll have two tickets in the 3rd row for Jimmy_Tea's Show
- Le_Moderateur

they are.. unfortunately you cant just bag up komi and connolly tho
- Dozzer

I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.

I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.
- Jimmy_Tea

Totally agree about Komi and Connolly, great leaders, totally underrated players

What are your thoughts on Sedin crying about the owners not giving him anything?



- robin_steele264

im on the players side, so you are barking up the wrong tree.

im on the players side, so you are barking up the wrong tree.
- Scooby_Doo

Move along then....keep crying.

I was talking to a Red Wings scout last week, his name is Francois, and he said that he couldn't understand Toronto fan's distaste with either player. His exact quote "Both are overpaid, sure, but Komi is their meanest player and quietly one of, if not the, main leader in their room. If they play him as a 5/6 his value is absurd. Connolly is a versitile player, underrated toughness and penalty killing. Well liked, leader, and he is always hurt because hes a maniac and for a team thin on centre you'd think he'd be more popular."

This guy watches more live hockey and talks to more NHL people than anyone on this board, so its worth knowing considering that maybe the hatred you have for these two players is emoitional and not based on anything real.
- Jimmy_Tea

One thing i really give Komi credit for is jumping in to defend anyone. He may not win the fight and may hold on, but he will ALWAYS jump in. I hate seeing players just stand on the outside while the opposition players go after ours

uhh.. starting over a rebuild... you dont want to be all that competitive.. it just slows things down

play the kids.. live and die by them.. and stock up

if they succeed earlier than hoped.. all the better.
- Dozzer

they've missed the playoffs for 8 straight years... would be another 5 at least if they play the kids (who aren't even that great)... so you'd be looking at 10 years before the Leafs are competitive. That's 20 years of ugly hockey. Add that to the 40 years since 1967 and you are at 60 years... a lifetime of awful hockey.

the Direction Burke picked has not worked as all had hoped. Kessel is not the player you build around, and Dion is not the #1 stud D you think he is.

A new Direction is needed, a #1 Center should be a priority.
The bozak experiment is getting old and tiresome. Then find a new goalie. Almost 34 year old Luongo is not the answer..for a team still rebuilding after 4 years
- senstroll

Kessel may not be a Crosby/Malkin/Stamkos but he is certainly a franchise player to build around - a ppg scorer in his early 20s who's only getting better. Not sure how he isnt "a player you build around" and frankly I find the idea that he's not ridiculous. Dion is - according to scouts - a top 15 Dman, at worst.

The Core of Phil, Dion, Lupul, JVR, Grabbovski, Kadri, Rielly,Gardner is as solid a collection of mid to early 20 year olds as there is in the league. What could you possibly hate about the direction of this team? Its build on top ten picks? Have f'n patience my man.

Not sure how long you thnk rebuilds take, but the Leafs are basically ahead of the curve if you look at how long it took the Pens, Hawks or Kings to go from the bottom to the cup. 4 years is not bad at all.

I am not going to go into the number one centre crap again, you obviously only hear what you want to, but I can prove conclusivley that its over blown if you want me to. Though I suspect that you have your mind made up and arent willing to consider new infromation.