He is in the final year of his contract. The team has new owners. It might impact his wage and term. You dont need sportsnet to break down common sense for you.
- systemtool

Sure...I'm sure the new ownership is going to fire a GM based on the performance of a 48 game season, with a 'fresh off the press' cba.

Burke's job is not in jeopardy this year AT ALL.

If the leafs have a good season, he'll be extended long term. If the leafs have a bad season, he'll be extended for 1-2yrs. Either way you cut it, Burke isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

- Pecafan Fan

You just agree with him because Gomez worked out so well for you.

...maybe I should clarify as it goes back to an earlier discussion, but by future pieces I mean real building blocks like gardiner and rielly NOT scrubs like d'amigo and colborne
- Barx

Ya people dont seem to know the difference.

Absolutely ...my only point is the decision should come down to how long you believe LUongo can be "very good". If my scouts tell me he's still a top 10/15 guy and can be for the next 5.5 years ...well, then this is something I consider at the right price.
- The Law

Agreed. But my right price is basically the favor of taking him off Vancouver's hands.

You just agree with him because Gomez worked out so well for you.
- systemtool

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of Gomez. Always been.

1. The Surgeon - Jordan Eberle...There's nothing I dislike about him on or off the ice, nor does anything he does concern me. Elite hands and hockey IQ.

2. The Phantom - Justin Schultz...He'll be the 1st D man in years to record a 100pts season during his career. Will win a Norris trophy at one point. A rare, rare find, and so important to an Oilers team who lacked a superstar on D.

3. The Bullet - Taylor Hall...Hall is so Messier-like. When he's on the ice, the entire mood of the game revolves around what Hall is doing. The pace changes; the effort from both sides increases. Hall is the type of guy who carries his team on his back during playoff series. Just so, so focused and dedicated to winning.

4. The Ninja - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins...He has Eberle-level skills, but I still have a persisting concern: His lack of size. Obviously Nuge is an elite skater and he sees the ice brilliantly. He's perhaps more defensively aware than any other Oilers forward. I just wonder if Nuge can will a team to victory the way Eberle and Hall can.

5. The Closer - Nail Yakupov...As much as skating is the strength of Yakupov (his burst speed and explosive starts especially impressive), the Oilers have spoken mostly about Nail's reputation as a finisher. His linemates are being selected on purpose to place Yakupov on a line with guys who will get him the puck in zones when he can one-time the puck.


- Aetherial

The problem with the Oilers is that you can't play an entire game on the powerplay.

Sure...I'm sure the new ownership is going to fire a GM based on the performance of a 48 game season, with a 'fresh off the press' cba.


- Pen15

Cause this is his first year.

Its not in jeopardy now, but it can be in a year or two if nothing improves. Especially with new owners. As for you last point, thats exactly why he would do a Luongo deal and give up what he needs to make it happen. Unfortunately.
- systemtool

Well if it's not in jeopardy now, don't claim it is.

And let's hold off and see what Burke does to make this team better in the near term before you start telling people 'why he would do a Luongo deal'

Yeah, I'm a huge fan of Gomez. Always been.
- Pecafan Fan

Any other obvious things you wish to point out? Markov has the best knees in the game, maybe?

Cause this is his first year.
- systemtool

Do you want to have a debate over Burke's track record here? Because I'm more than game.

Well if it's not in jeopardy now, don't claim it is.

And let's hold off and see what Burke does to make this team better in the near term before you start telling people 'why he would do a Luongo deal'
- Pen15

I said it could be, didnt say it was.

And lets hold off and see what Burke does before you start telling people "he wont be going anywhere" anytime soon when his contract expires at the end of the year.

I actually don't think he's disagreeing with anything you've said, I think what he's saying is that when have the Leafs ever done things the right way, and moreover, after missing the playoffs for 8 years, the likelihood of them admitting their mistake and doing things the right way is even more remote.....

though maybe not.
- mykokes

Yes something along those lines.
They'll never tank for years straight in this market.


Unless.


They sell the idea and do it properly......but I still cant see them doing it.

I think you should read the response he gave
- systemtool

yup, I was wrong....or not. Really to me what he's saying is no different than when UG switched gears for a bit and said Bryzgalov would make the Leafs a playoff team. I don't there is a poster on here that actually believes in mortgaging the future just to make the playoffs. Just like I don't think there's a poster on here that believes that you can win with nothing but kids.

I just find it weird when two posters who constantly say the same stuff but differ on semantics get into debates on a grander scheme, when in reality their grander schemes are exactly the same despite some small semantics, ie. Luke schenn sucked, no he didn't.....etc.

I said it could be, didnt say it was.
- systemtool

But you also just admitted that it isn't...and probably won't be until 1-2yrs from now.

Which is it?

Do you want to have a debate over Burke's track record here? Because I'm more than game.
- Pen15

The team has been bottom feeding his whole time in Toronto.

Go.

The problem with the Oilers is that you can't play an entire game on the powerplay.
- p_zub

The oilers are in a great position.
If dubbie turns out as they hope....they'll be making noise very soon.

Yes something along those lines.
They'll never tank for years straight in this market.


Unless.


They sell the idea and do it properly......but I still can see them doing it.
- Fakepartofme

With the 14 teams out of the playoffs having a chance at a lottery pick, tanking won't be a viable option anymore.

And truth be told, it hasn't done much for the Islanders, Blue Jackets or the Oilers... at least, not yet.

But you also just admitted that it isn't...and probably won't be until 1-2yrs from now.

Which is it?
- Pen15

I never said it wasnt. I said it wasnt likely.

Thats it.

The oilers are in a great position.
If dubbie turns out as they hope....they'll be making noise very soon.
- Fakepartofme

Their defense needs a major upgrade.

And lets hold off and see what Burke does before you start telling people "he wont be going anywhere" anytime soon when his contract expires at the end of the year.
- systemtool

We don't need to hold off to be able to logically assume that he isn't going anywhere. That's just common sense.

They are in a decent cap position.
- Fakepartofme

And that will be the case when all five of those are supposedly putting up 100 points per year?

If Bobby Orr Justin Schultz alone is half as good as suggested (100 points per year and Norris trophies lining his cabinet), then he'll eat up about $9-10 million alone.

Then you have Hall, Eberle, and RNH who will be competing in three way ties for the Hart every year. There's another 24 mil.

And Yakupov, who will be the first to bolt, will demand the same, even if he's not on the same level (hint: he won't be).

Cry about your foolishness all you want...who cares what the past 45 years have brought or haven't brought....your opinion matters not. The fact is the Leafs wont be tanking on purpose....not with the new owners....so get over it.
- Fakepartofme

The Leafs don't have to to tank on purpose. They suck enough to do it all by themselves. 45 years of failure does matter as much as you would love to ignore it and pretend it doesn't exist. It does exist and it does matter.

Winning means, being an above .500 team, a team that makes the playoffs, a team that creates a winning environment for its players and youth, a team players want to play for because they believe they have a good shot at winning.

Is this a joke or your serious definition of winning? Being above .500 and making the playoffs? That's a winner? Wow. Some really low standards you've set for yourself. Guess it helps you deal with the fact the team sucks.

It's not a short term fix - 4 - 5 years is not term....they need playoff experience. They need a winning environment to A) attract players without overpaying and B) to develop their youth to want to stay.

Anyone who thinks its good to miss the playoffs for years, develop and than bam they are going to win the cup is stupid. Sure there's always that one in a million chance.

It is definitely a short term fix. 100% short term fix. It is the definition of a short term fix. Getting a guy in his mid 30s who is being tossed away so the Leafs can go from being bad to mediocre. That is much of a quick fix as you can get.

Its called progress....make the playoffs, see how you hold up, gain experience and get a few more pieces. Make the playoffs, go a little deeper or a lucky run, gain experience, fill the gaps. And so on and so on.

No, it's called being patience and drafting players that are worth getting into the playoffs with. Just because you make the playoffs once or twice, doesn't mean you have the horses to run to the end of the race. But I'm sure you'd be thrilled with the illusion of success rather than the actual progression required to get the job done.

I know you are use to losing with the leafs and maybe in life, but you can build for the future and still win in the present. Its called scouting and drafting...something the leafs need to continue to improve on.

You dont need to tank to build a winning team....not sure why every fool thinks thats the case.

According to you, tanking doesn't work but grabbing a 30-something year old being tossed to the curb by the Canucks is what will get the job done.

Keep dreaming in blue and white technicolor.

Here is a way to mitigate the Luongo retiring early problem.

Trade him to a team trying to reach the cap floor with a prospect and retain 50% of his actual salary. Or trade the cap hit and million dollar salary for a serviceable player that is being paid to much at the time. This helps the bottom feeder team hit the cap floor and get a decent prospect for about 1 million a year.

Who knows the landscape in 7 years and you can probably find a hole or 2 in this plan but my point is in about 5 minutes I came up with a solution. I am sure guys that do this for a living can come up with a better one.

With the 14 teams out of the playoffs having a chance at a lottery pick, tanking won't be a viable option anymore.

And truth be told, it hasn't done much for the Islanders, Blue Jackets or the Oilers... at least, not yet.
- Pecafan Fan

Smaller market teams dont compare to bigger market teams.

The draft has helped the Bruins, Canes, Bolts, Ducks, Wings, Pens, Hawks, Kings win the cup. Which list is longer? Those are just the cup winners. I still havent mentioned the Blues, Edmonton etc.

I actually don't think he's disagreeing with anything you've said, I think what he's saying is that when have the Leafs ever done things the right way, and moreover, after missing the playoffs for 8 years, the likelihood of them admitting their mistake and doing things the right way is even more remote.
- mykokes

It's only a matter of time before Burke sells the future to save his ass or before he gets fired and the next guy will be allowed to realize the mistakes and correct them. But it's pretty idiotic to start hoping Burke does the former.