Burke needs to the worse team in the NHL with regards to lowest interest via fans.

He's press conferences should be enough to get people wondering what the (frank) he is talking about.

Nice backtrack.

He made mistakes in Toronto...his FA signings weren't great and he gave out 2 terrible contracts to current Leafs. But his trades were fantastic and he did what he'll have to do in Calgary...build the Organization. This is everything from the scouting department (which is obviously terrible currently), the development team, the practice facility...everything. He's a builder....he'll build. This team needs it.

BTW...the Kessel deal was a win.
- djamon

Just because the Bruins felt Seguin was an immature player at the age of 21 does not make the trade a win for the Leafs. I agree with everything else you have said but Seguin has lots of time to become a better player then Phil and Dougie is just icing on the cake. Burke has done a hell of a job with trades but I still don't believe he wins that trade untill Seguin tops out as a 50 point guy and Hamilton is a 4-5 guy but both these players have 5-6 years before they can truly be considered that. Let's just say the Leafs won't be considered the winner of that trade for years if they are.

There is a major difference between making the playoffs and being a contender.

The Leafs were a playoff team last year, but they aren't even guaranteed it this year. They are a bubble team, with really no chance at winning the cup. Their D is too weak, they don't have much depth up front (a brutal 4th line that won't see any time and will tire out the other 3 lines), and next to no prospects. All of this, and they are almost at the cap right now.

How are they going to get any better in the next few years? Unless the cap goes up drastically, there isn't much hope for them. They don't have any players coming up for cheap and they still have to sign Kadri.

Had he built through the draft, he'd have cheaper players and cap space to go out and get some big names as well.

He set them back 2-3 years from being a contender, not just a bubble playoff team that loses in the first two rounds.

Basically, he built the Leafs to look just as they did in the late 90's and early 2000s. A team that can make the playoffs once and awhile, and go a couple rounds, but realistically, has no shot at the cup.
- Charliebox

They don't need a stable full of prospects when they have one of the 3 youngest everyday rosters in the league. Their core isn't going anywhere for 5 years. And they actually do have great defense prospects.

Read my first post. It's not a backtrack whatsoever. When someone says a player is 'overrated' do they mean he is terrible? No, generally it means, he is overpaid or over hyped.

As for the Kessel deal, sure it was a win in the short term. Deals like that, aren't how you build contenders, though. You build them through the draft. Look at the majority of past cup winners. Most of their stars are homegrown. Then they fill in the gap.

What happens if Kessel decides not to resign?

The fact that Seguin and Hamilton (or whomever he would have drafted) aren't FAs for a long time, makes it a loss IMO.

As I said, he built a bubble playoff team. If that's all you want, then fine. I think most Leaf fans would disagree, though. I think most people would take another year or two of pain for a legitimate Stanley cup contender.
- Charliebox

I can see you're a bit touched.

Did you challenge Burke to a barn brawl and lose? 'Cuz that's his game.

Your posts are full of misinformation and inaccuracies.
Van was Burkes first NHL job, Burke Drafted Schenn??... how can you have such an opinion when your info is so wrong....

comments like..he only added Neidermeiyer and Pronger..thats its

Who drafted Jake Gardiner and Justin Shultz in Anaheim?
if you put his draft record up against others....its comparable.. there are way more misses than hits for everyone
- senstroll

I was going to say Lou Lams has had his share of first round misses but he is by no means an average gm

Seriously..just look at Murray's draft history and compare that to Burke. It's night and day.


- Charliebox

I actually did this a year+ ago...took the draft history for both, Murray has been involved in more drafts as a GM..but it was not night and day. Maybe the biggest difference is hitting a homerun on Karlsson at #15.

It was Muckler's team when the Sens went to the cup. Problem was, he was terrible at managing the cap, and screwed the Sens with Redden over Chara and the Heatley trade.

There was a ton of work to be done when Murray went to Ottawa.

What has Murray done?
Drafted a top 3 NHL Dman 15th overall.
Got out of the Heatley fiasco with a better player
Drafted a top 4 Dman who will be an absolute beast (Cowen).
Traded a bottom 6 winger for a top four Dman and a team Canada invite (Foligno for Methot).
Traded for the goalie with the best numbers in the NHL last season.
Traded an AHL Dman (Rundblad) for a 2nd line center (Turris).
Drafted another great goaltender which now gives Ottawa the best tandem in the league.
Drafted two guys that he was able to send to Ahaheim for a 30 goal scorer (a late first rounder and an early 2nd rounder for the 2nd overall pick in Ryan).
Traded a 2nd round pick for a goaltender (Bishop) that he then moved for a guy that had a ton of points in his rookie season (Conacher).
Made a ton of good draft picks that pretty much fill out the rest of the team.

Seriously..just look at Murray's draft history and compare that to Burke. It's night and day.

All of this, while operating with a ridiculous internal cap.
- Charliebox

But if they don't win a cup then none of that matters. Yes, he's done some really good things there but none of that has translated to success. Burke made the moves necessary to win a cup and Murray is still trying to do that. So to say that Murray is a much better GM is just false.

I can see you're a bit touched.

Did you challenge Burke to a barn brawl and lose? 'Cuz that's his game.
- A_Tree

hahaha.. nah, I tried but then he said that if I touched him, he'd sue me.

It was Muckler's team when the Sens went to the cup. Problem was, he was terrible at managing the cap, and screwed the Sens with Redden over Chara and the Heatley trade.

There was a ton of work to be done when Murray went to Ottawa.
What has Murray done?
Drafted a top 3 NHL Dman 15th overall.
Got out of the Heatley fiasco with a better player
Drafted a top 4 Dman who will be an absolute beast (Cowen).
Traded a bottom 6 winger for a top four Dman and a team Canada invite (Foligno for Methot).
Traded for the goalie with the best numbers in the NHL last season.
Traded an AHL Dman (Rundblad) for a 2nd line center (Turris).
Drafted another great goaltender which now gives Ottawa the best tandem in the league.
Drafted two guys that he was able to send to Ahaheim for a 30 goal scorer (a late first rounder and an early 2nd rounder for the 2nd overall pick in Ryan).
Traded a 2nd round pick for a goaltender (Bishop) that he then moved for a guy that had a ton of points in his rookie season (Conacher).
Made a ton of good draft picks that pretty much fill out the rest of the team.

Seriously..just look at Murray's draft history and compare that to Burke. It's night and day.

All of this, while operating with a ridiculous internal cap.
- Charliebox

You should've seen what Burke had to deal with when he arrived in Toronto. And neither men had brought a cup to their respective teams (Toronto or Ottawa)

Just because the Bruins felt Seguin was an immature player at the age of 21 does not make the trade a win for the Leafs. I agree with everything else you have said but Seguin has lots of time to become a better player then Phil and Dougie is just icing on the cake. Burke has done a hell of a job with trades but I still don't believe he wins that trade untill Seguin tops out as a 50 point guy and Hamilton is a 4-5 guy but both these players have 5-6 years before they can truly be considered that. Let's just say the Leafs won't be considered the winner of that trade for years if they are.
- blizzzard

Kessel hasn't exactly plateaued. Yes, Seguin has lots of time to become better, but in the meantime Kessel is still getting better. He made huge strides last year and he's still very young.

But if they don't win a cup then none of that matters. Yes, he's done some really good things there but none of that has translated to success. Burke made the moves necessary to win a cup and Murray is still trying to do that. So to say that Murray is a much better GM is just false.
- Jeffmt

This is just ridiculous.

Do you know what the current roster of the Sens would look like if Murray could actually operate to the cap? Alfie would still be with the Sens along with Bobby Ryan. They also would have had the cash to go out and get a top 4Dman. The Sens would be a bona-fide contender this season instead of having an outside shot.

Seriously? You can't even compare Burke to Murray. They aren't even in the same spectrum.

Just because the Bruins felt Seguin was an immature player at the age of 21 does not make the trade a win for the Leafs. I agree with everything else you have said but Seguin has lots of time to become a better player then Phil and Dougie is just icing on the cake. Burke has done a hell of a job with trades but I still don't believe he wins that trade untill Seguin tops out as a 50 point guy and Hamilton is a 4-5 guy but both these players have 5-6 years before they can truly be considered that. Let's just say the Leafs won't be considered the winner of that trade for years if they are.
- blizzzard

You're right, man. The trade was in Bostons favor. Past tense. We can't turn back the clock and observe what would have been, but what we know is we received a top of the line offensive forward who is gradually improving every year. I too would do that trade again, knowing how it turns out for both parties.

Eklund: Noon Press Conference in Calgary. Brian Burke returning to the NHL!
- Eklund

Brian Burke is a egotistical jackass. If the NHL is better with him in it you'd have to ask yourself why?

burke is cool cause he dips...always have a good laugh when they show him in the press box havin a lipper gettin pissed off.

Brian Burke is a egotistical jackass. If the NHL is better with him in it you'd have to ask yourself why?
- Cptmjl

He's a media rocket - he'll be in a wheelchair and on life support before he retires, simply on his tv-time-cruching interviews and tremendous quotes.

burke is cool cause he dips...always have a good laugh when they show him in the press box havin a lipper gettin pissed off.
- Mad5T33Z

He's a media rocket - he'll be in a wheelchair and on life support before he retires, simply on his tv-time-cruching interviews and tremendous quotes.
- A_Tree

I guess that's one way of putting it?

Just because the Bruins felt Seguin was an immature player at the age of 21 does not make the trade a win for the Leafs. I agree with everything else you have said but Seguin has lots of time to become a better player then Phil and Dougie is just icing on the cake. Burke has done a hell of a job with trades but I still don't believe he wins that trade untill Seguin tops out as a 50 point guy and Hamilton is a 4-5 guy but both these players have 5-6 years before they can truly be considered that. Let's just say the Leafs won't be considered the winner of that trade for years if they are.
- blizzzard

Fair enough. But I'll ask you this...we've had Kessel for 4 years now and during that time we've had the upper hand in this trade...without a doubt. As we stand today the Bruins have officially given up on Seguin and Hamilton still isn't good enough to play on an everyday basis.

At what point would YOU consider this trade a win for the Leafs? How long do we have to wait for these kids to actually have an impact before what we've already gotten out of Kessel (a top 10 scorer), and what we will continue to get out of this 25 year old, will still be greater?

I was against the trade at the time (the timing of it), but at this point I think it's unlikely the Bruins will ever get as much out of it as the Leafs.

Kessel hasn't exactly plateaued. Yes, Seguin has lots of time to become better, but in the meantime Kessel is still getting better. He made huge strides last year and he's still very young.
- Jeffmt

That's true but it's also not like Seguin or Hamilton are slouches and have mountains to climb they are both on a pretty good track so far to become very successful players and the fact that it will be both of their success vs just Kessel's it makes it a bit harder for him to win. Kessel has also not hit 40 goals yet and he still could but I wouldn't trade two firsts and a second for Vanek and he has hit 40 I believe. I am just saying the Leafs could win this trade but this is one of those deals that won't be decided for a long time. I don't look at it as Boston traded the big piece in that deal because who knows if Toronto would have given up on him so early had they not made that deal I will always look at it as Seguin and Hamilton plus a guy who doesnt look like he will turn out for Kessel even if Hamilton gets moved to.

Fair enough. But I'll ask you this...we've had Kessel for 4 years now and during that time we've had the upper hand in this trade...without a doubt. As we stand today the Bruins have officially given up on Seguin and Hamilton still isn't good enough to play on an everyday basis.

At what point would YOU consider this trade a win for the Leafs? How long do we have to wait for these kids to actually have an impact before what we've already gotten out of Kessel (a top 10 scorer), and what we will continue to get out of this 25 year old, will still be greater?

I was against the trade at the time (the timing of it), but at this point I think it's unlikely the Bruins will ever get as much out of it as the Leafs.
- djamon

I don't want to put a time line on it because I think it will be at least a few years. I like Burke though and I would be on board with the Devils getting him if and when Lou decides he doesnt want to do it anymore.

This is just ridiculous.

Do you know what the current roster of the Sens would look like if Murray could actually operate to the cap? Alfie would still be with the Sens along with Bobby Ryan. They also would have had the cash to go out and get a top 4Dman. The Sens would be a bona-fide contender this season instead of having an outside shot.

Seriously? You can't even compare Burke to Murray. They aren't even in the same spectrum.
- Charliebox

You can compare the two. You can say that one has won a Stanley Cup and the other hasn't. Murray isn't a young guy, he's been doing this a long time and hasn't won anything.

Let's not forget the fact that Burke put together an American team that came within one goal of winning an Olympic gold medal when no one even had them as medal contenders. You can't seriously look at everything the guy has accomplished and then say he's not in the same spectrum as Murray. That's a joke.

I guess that's one way of putting it?
- Cptmjl

It is. Plus he's qualified. Like him or not, he's probably the best option right now.

This is just ridiculous.

Do you know what the current roster of the Sens would look like if Murray could actually operate to the cap? Alfie would still be with the Sens along with Bobby Ryan. They also would have had the cash to go out and get a top 4Dman. The Sens would be a bona-fide contender this season instead of having an outside shot.

Seriously? You can't even compare Burke to Murray. They aren't even in the same spectrum.
- Charliebox

If ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a Merry Christmas.

Murray has a decent drafting record, probably better than Burke's. I'd agree on that. But there's so many other things involved in the GM's duties that I think Burke is better at. I think Murray's not as good at trading as Burke. He's no better in Cap Management than Burke. And seems to really piss off his fair share of players...whereas Burke's players love him.

Burke's problem isn't the GM duties...it's getting along with the suits in the boardroom. This was a great hire for Calgary...at the very least he'll make sure Feaster knows the NHL contract rules.

Im glad Burkie is back. He is a colorful guy and has a huge passion for the game.. Doesnt always equal wins but I think he did a pretty good job in TO.. He above all started with helping restore a future. The cupboard in TO was alwasy bare. The Marlies have been turned around big time.. He made some awesome trades. Even the Kessel one doesnt look so bad anymore.. My biggest issue was his Free Agent signings (inclduing his own free agents ie Grabovski). I think he wil linject life into the Flames if he takes the job.. Good luck Burkie

You can compare the two. You can say that one has won a Stanley Cup and the other hasn't. Murray isn't a young guy, he's been doing this a long time and hasn't won anything.

Let's not forget the fact that Burke put together an American team that came within one goal of winning an Olympic gold medal when no one even had them as medal contenders. You can't seriously look at everything the guy has accomplished and then say he's not in the same spectrum as Murray. That's a joke.
- Jeffmt

If you look at Murrays drafting as GM in Detroit 1990 to Florida 2000, its less than stellar.
in Anaheim its not that much better overall, if you factor in the 2003 draft where he got Getzlaf and Perry..but 70% of that 1st round was decent..harder to miss than hit a hr in that one.

like I said... lots more misses than hits in drafting..for every GM