They didn’t dislike what Brian Burke was doing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They just don’t like Brian Burke.

For “they’’ insert this name: George Cope.

Doesn’t ring a bell? That’s funny, actually.

Cope is president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, which jointly with Rogers now owns 75 per cent of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The corporate consortium — Megabuckszilla — took custodianship of Canada’s most illustrious sports property from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund last summer.

Cope wanted Burke out, sources have told the Star. Cope got his way. Didn’t like the cut of Burke’s jib, his personality, the perennially loosened tie, the combustible temper, the maverick independence, the swagger or the mouth that so often roared. The “branding’’ wasn’t right.

http://www.thestar.com/sp...a-hockey-decision-dimanno

Kessel does it on his own. He has to lead, Sequin has absolutely zero pressure in Boston.
- aminnes

oh yeah?

the entire new england region is expecting 30 goals in a 48 game schedule. the entire region wants him to be the next real NHL star the bruins haven't had since cam neely.

kessel may lead the team in scoring but we all know that he's a shy awkward guy who hates the media and the spotlight. not a leader.

yup, plus kessel is 15 points in 15 playoff games , sequin has 10 in 20.
- aminnes

The sad part is Seguin has 5 more playoff games and is 5 years younger

That they are all better than Kessel?
- Scooby_Doo

Nice attempt at trolling.

You lose.

Go ahead...name them.

If you pay close attention to the names, you might notice something.
- Pen15

I do agree that Kessel is a good player, he is a sharp shooter who would without a doubt improve even more if he had a legit playmaking centre. Having said that, knowing what you know now about the trade would you rather Kessel or Seguin + Hamilton...

The Bruins won that cup with or without Seguin. In fact he sat out the whole first round I think.. Not sure I ever buy that argument of (fill in the blank) won a Cup.. there are tons of scrubs with names on Cup while some bona fide stars are not due to the teams they were on.. If the trade isnt made Kessel ahs the ring and Seguin is struggling with the bottom feeders
- Popcorn Kid

We were talking about Toews here...

Brian Burke deserves a ton of credit for doing what no one else could have done in Toronto. Build a team the right way and take the time needed to develop players in order to create a larger window for the team in which to succeed"

Is this a joke?

There's something I think the Kessel supporters are missing.

Had the Leafs NOT got Kessel, it's safe to say they would have still been in 2nd last to get Seguin.

But not only that, the year after, they probably would have finished even lower than they did. So it may not have been Dougie Hamilton. It could have been RNH, Larsson, or Landeskog.

If Burke would have built properly , the Leafs would have been at or near the bottom for both those years, and probably would have ended up with TWO stars.

And kessel is a UFA after next season so he could walk (or they could trade him for much less than two stars) without even making the playoffs once!

oh yeah?

the entire new england region is expecting 30 goals in a 48 game schedule. the entire region wants him to be the next real NHL star the bruins haven't had since cam neely.

kessel may lead the team in scoring but we all know that he's a shy awkward guy who hates the media and the spotlight. not a leader.
- Fountain-San

A) That's this year...

B) The entire NE region is going to be very dissapointed after this year is over.

The sad part is Seguin has 5 more playoff games and is 5 years younger
- l3ig_l2ecl

your balming kessel for that? Are you also saying boston won because of sequin?

oh yeah?

the entire new england region is expecting 30 goals in a 48 game schedule. the entire region wants him to be the next real NHL star the bruins haven't had since cam neely.

kessel may lead the team in scoring but we all know that he's a shy awkward guy who hates the media and the spotlight. not a leader.
- Fountain-San

They might expect, but even with 15 the bruins would be an awesome team. Bergeron isn't mister media either but boston wanted to build a team around him not so long ago.

We were talking about Toews here...
- Pecafan Fan

my bad

I do agree that Kessel is a good player, he is a sharp shooter who would without a doubt improve even more if he had a legit playmaking centre. Having said that, knowing what you know now about the trade would you rather Kessel or Seguin + Hamilton...
- JR1417

If you asked me today, I'd rather Kessel.

Hamilton didn't impress me AT ALL at the WJC, and I don't see Seguin doing what Kessel has done ALONE in Toronto.

They didn’t dislike what Brian Burke was doing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. They just don’t like Brian Burke.

For “they’’ insert this name: George Cope.

Doesn’t ring a bell? That’s funny, actually.

Cope is president and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, which jointly with Rogers now owns 75 per cent of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The corporate consortium — Megabuckszilla — took custodianship of Canada’s most illustrious sports property from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Fund last summer.

Cope wanted Burke out, sources have told the Star. Cope got his way. Didn’t like the cut of Burke’s jib, his personality, the perennially loosened tie, the combustible temper, the maverick independence, the swagger or the mouth that so often roared. The “branding’’ wasn’t right.

http://www.thestar.com/sp...a-hockey-decision-dimanno
- Feeling_Glucky

Well this Cope guy sounds like a real limp wrist. Didn't like Burke swearing in the conference room. Jeseus Christ what a gong show this new ownership is.
I'm sure there is now a swear jar in the Leafs dressing room to help cover the Luxury tax the Leafs play the league...I'm sure the live mic's on the ice for television will now be turned off because sometimes a F Bomb is uttered. What a wussy this new guy is.

A) That's this year...

B) The entire NE region is going to be very dissapointed after this year is over.
- Pen15

A) i (frank)ing know.

B) we'll see. he's about to explode.

leaf fans, phil kessel for tyler seguin, dougie hamilton and jared knight. do you do it?

oh yeah?

the entire new england region is expecting 30 goals in a 48 game schedule. the entire region wants him to be the next real NHL star the bruins haven't had since cam neely.

kessel may lead the team in scoring but we all know that he's a shy awkward guy who hates the media and the spotlight. not a leader.
- Fountain-San

I live in Boston and no one is talking hockey this year let alone Seguin scoring 30..

There's something I think the Kessel supporters are missing.

Had the Leafs NOT got Kessel, it's safe to say they would have still been in 2nd last to get Seguin.

But not only that, the year after, they probably would have finished even lower than they did. So it may not have been Dougie Hamilton. It could have been RNH, Larsson, or Landeskog.

If Burke would have built properly , the Leafs would have been at or near the bottom for both those years, and probably would have ended up with TWO stars.

And kessel is a UFA after next season so he could walk (or they could trade him for much less than two stars) without even making the playoffs once!
- Charliebox

Wow, this is true. Forgot to factor in that if they had drafted Sequin they still would have finished lower in the standings and could have gotten another top 5 pick...BUT, even having Dougie Hamilton and Sequin is better than kessel

A) i (frank)ing know.

B) we'll see. he's about to explode.

leaf fans, phil kessel for tyler seguin, dougie hamilton and jared knight. do you do it?
- Fountain-San

As of today....the present....yes I do because Kessel is still the better player.

Until Seguin/Hamilton surpass Kessel in production, I won't be sold.

A) i (frank)ing know.

B) we'll see. he's about to explode.

leaf fans, phil kessel for tyler seguin, dougie hamilton and jared knight. do you do it?
- Fountain-San

Absolutley I take Seguin Hamilton (don't care about Knight) in a heartbeat. But it is hindisght. Leafs are stuck with it. At least Phil produces regardless.. As much as the trade is not looking good for years to come we got a guy who finished 6 in the scoring race and should continue to improve. Now for me the Rask/Raycroft was worse. on another level of fleeced

Wow, this is true. Forgot to factor in that if they had drafted Sequin they still would have finished lower in the standings and could have gotten another top 5 pick...BUT, even having Dougie Hamilton and Sequin is better than kessel
- JR1417

Not to mention, Kessel will probably walk , or fetch nothing close to what he cost in the original trade

If you asked me today, I'd rather Kessel.

Hamilton didn't impress me AT ALL at the WJC, and I don't see Seguin doing what Kessel has done ALONE in Toronto.
- Pen15

That's your opinion and I respect it, but I don't agree with it at all. Sequin has shown to be way more valuable this early in his career compared to Kessel and now you have the potential of an elite D man on your team who just had a lackluster world juniors...much rather the potential of Hamilton and what Sequin has already proven

Wow, this is true. Forgot to factor in that if they had drafted Sequin they still would have finished lower in the standings and could have gotten another top 5 pick...BUT, even having Dougie Hamilton and Sequin is better than kessel
- JR1417

It is true, but no one though Komi would poop the bed as well as all the other guys that played well everywhere else. Ron Wiulson played a bogus system, this is the fault of BB keeping him around, it has nothing to do with KEssel. This is why the whole Kesesel vs Sequin thing is a little muddy. Komisarek goes from a top line d man on the habs and cant do jack under the wilson system.

Not to mention, Kessel will probably walk , or fetch nothing close to what he cost in the original trade
- stoned

Lets hope he doesn't walk...certainly this trade is lopsided already and I can only imagine how bad it will be if he actually does walk...

Ek,

You are a master at getting page views! Your views are so backwards compared to the rest of the hockey media.

Burke did a terrible job in Toronto. He over valued his players and didn't sell them when he could have for a more than fair price. Just think back to last year's trade deadline when instead of getting 4 1st round picks (Burke's words) he decided to hang onto his players and they continued to tank. Think about what the Leafs could have done at the draft table with their 1st pick plue 4 others (assuming they were all for the 2012 draft). He could have wheeled and dealed but he stood firm and lost.

Kessel is a great player, but I think Seguin will be a better overall player at the end of their careers. Also, if Kessel walks then what did the Leafs gain? Segin is signed long term in Boston and was part of their cup winning team. The comparisons are tough because they play different positions but it's pretty clear Boston won that trade huge, what people also don't realize is that after that trade Boston gained something almost as valuable as Kessel himself, cap space! They had almost none going into that season and didn't have a lot of room even if they decided they wanted to keep Kessel.

Brian Burke is going to go down as the General Manager who traded Luke Schenn for nobody.
- Winning

I can see that.