Well atleast wsh has given up, it basically comes down to winnipeg, and if we can't make the playoffs this year, it's pretty sad.

Just got home and heard the Burke interview.....so proud to have him as GM...he states his mind, no BS, no kiss-ass to no-one...totally earned respect and stands up to EVERYONE in defense of his team, and pays it forward to the community immensely....the pressure of his and Ron's jobs are the most intense there is in hockey (along with montreal), and they'll live and die by their swords with their boots(skates) on...their dirtbag media koolaid enemies can kiss my Blue and White Ass

Just had to share that as a Leaf fan
Now back to my life away from this HB world
Till work tomorrow,
Cheers
- JIMI-JAMES

WTF are you on about? The way I see it, he screwed up royally. He bargained that a goalie with barely a half year of NHL experience could carry the mail as a starter. And, he didn't insulate him with a veteran back up. All of his bluster cannot mask his error. The only person associated with 'koolaid' in your post, my friend, is you.

WTF are you on about? The way I see it, he screwed up royally. He bargained that a goalie with barely a half year of NHL experience could carry the mail as a starter. And, he didn't insulate him with a veteran back up. All of his bluster cannot mask his error. The only person associated with 'koolaid' in your post, my friend, is you.
- triggermartin

He didn't know who would be the better goalie Gus or Reimer. Rather than trading one away and getting a vet back-up, he stuck with the goalies. It was a risk, deal with it.

If you think it was a stupid idea and he should have traded one away, lets think back to the last time that happened:

Rask or Pogge?

Your hindsight is 20/20. Your reasoning is not so perfect.

He didn't know who would be the better goalie Gus or Reimer. Rather than trading one away and getting a vet back-up, he stuck with the goalies. It was a risk, deal with it.

If you think it was a stupid idea and he should have traded one away, lets think back to the last time that happened:

Rask or Pogge?

Your hindsight is 20/20. Your reasoning is not so perfect.
- mfreedman

Bullpoop, my friend. He felt beholden to Gus, who instead should have started the season in the minors. Reimer should have been backed up by a vet. And Rask/Pogge? That was JFJ. Even I know Burke is smarter than him, so don't compare apples to oranges. I got no problem 'dealing with it', dude. It'll be dealt with in 10th place.

Just for poops and giggles I'd like to see a Kulemin-Grabo-Semin line

Bullpoop, my friend. He felt beholden to Gus, who instead should have started the season in the minors. Reimer should have been backed up by a vet. And Rask/Pogge? That was JFJ. Even I know Burke is smarter than him, so don't compare apples to oranges. I got no problem 'dealing with it', dude. It'll be dealt with in 10th place.
- triggermartin

Wow, I will spell this out to you.

Y-O-U-R ..... H-I-N-D-S-I-G-H-T ..... I-S ..... 2-0-/-2-0

Did you also think that after last year, Elliot would be a top 3 goalie in the league this year?

JFJ or not, we made a choice between two young goalies and we regret it now.

We are NOT in a MUST WIN mode right now, so it was worth the risk.

Also, in response to your Reimer should have been starting:

GUS - 16W 12L .905sv%
REIM - 11W 8L .903sv%

Not much of a difference. If Gardiner had scored in OT last night instead of hitting the post, would you be praising the team as a sure-fire playoff contender??

We are what we are. A playoff contender who is improving each season.

Just for poops and giggles I'd like to see a Kulemin-Grabo-Semin line
- yea-ok-buddy

I'd love to see Kuli as a centre

Let me spell something out for you, my friend. With even average goaltending, this team would be in a comfortable playoff position. They are where they are despite their goaltending, not because of it. Now, you can explain that away as a gamble gone wrong, but I simply think it was poor management.

Let me spell something out for you, my friend. With even average goaltending, this team would be in a comfortable playoff position. They are where they are despite their goaltending, not because of it. Now, you can explain that away as a gamble gone wrong, but I simply think it was poor management.
- triggermartin

they got good goaltending for one stretch this season and that is it......and they went on a streak they are still surviving on.
with a solid goaltender they would have easily 6-8 more points.

Let me spell something out for you, my friend. With even average goaltending, this team would be in a comfortable playoff position. They are where they are despite their goaltending, not because of it. Now, you can explain that away as a gamble gone wrong, but I simply think it was poor management.
- triggermartin

The only way we are in a playoff position to begin with is because of the management, and despite the coaching.

Burke has assembled a pretty damn good team in the short time he has been here, especially considering the team he arrived here with. He is a person. People are bound to make mistakes on occasion.

Fortunately, if he feels the current goaltending is not going to get us anywhere, we still have 5 days before the trade deadline arrives.

I don't get the problem here. He hasn't addressed every need we have, big deal! He has managed to bring in 2 top line wingers, some solid defencemen, and some promising prospects, while getting rid of a ton of junk. He can't do everything at once,a nd I think he has done great so far!

All he needs to do now is fire the coach and we're set for a while.

they got good goaltending for one stretch this season and that is it......and they went on a streak they are still surviving on.
with a solid goaltender they would have easily 6-8 more points.
- Barx

Why do people skip out ont he fact that we cannot receive a goaltender for nothing. What if we gave up Grabo + to get a temporary goal. How many games has grabovski won us himself?

There are no guarantees here, and it costs assets to get help. We have time, no rushing necessary

I'd love to see Kuli as a centre
- mfreedman

To be honest, I wouldn't mind seeing Kuli as 3c, and that is what i think he'll be paid as.

Well, at least Washington lost again...

Well, at least Washington lost again...
- SofaKingBored

If we can't win, we just need to suck less than the others

If we can't win, we just need to suck less than the others
- mfreedman

That's the theory I'm going with...

Also, I'm actually pulling for Ottawa to pass Boston and win the division... that felt wrong to say

http://www.thestar.com/sp...2--the-brian-burke-method

How Burke builds a winner.

The only way we are in a playoff position to begin with is because of the management, and despite the coaching.

Burke has assembled a pretty damn good team in the short time he has been here, especially considering the team he arrived here with. He is a person. People are bound to make mistakes on occasion.

Fortunately, if he feels the current goaltending is not going to get us anywhere, we still have 5 days before the trade deadline arrives.

I don't get the problem here. He hasn't addressed every need we have, big deal! He has managed to bring in 2 top line wingers, some solid defencemen, and some promising prospects, while getting rid of a ton of junk. He can't do everything at once,a nd I think he has done great so far!

All he needs to do now is fire the coach and we're set for a while.
- mfreedman

What colour are the pies in your sky?

Jesus the Caps are (frank)in bad....
- Fruitcakenipple

Wait until they play the Leafs again... they'll turn it around.

Wow, I will spell this out to you.

Y-O-U-R ..... H-I-N-D-S-I-G-H-T ..... I-S ..... 2-0-/-2-0

Did you also think that after last year, Elliot would be a top 3 goalie in the league this year?

JFJ or not, we made a choice between two young goalies and we regret it now.

We are NOT in a MUST WIN mode right now, so it was worth the risk.

Also, in response to your Reimer should have been starting:

GUS - 16W 12L .905sv%
REIM - 11W 8L .903sv%

Not much of a difference. If Gardiner had scored in OT last night instead of hitting the post, would you be praising the team as a sure-fire playoff contender??

We are what we are. A playoff contender who is improving each season.
- mfreedman

Hindsight didn't play into this very much. It was well talked about that a reimer/Gus tandem would falter before the season started. You brought up a trade in which we had two strong AHLers (so we thought.). At the start of the season we had two fringe 1B's with one goalie having a huge blind following cause he got hot at the right time last season... A lot like a goalie we traded Rask for...

Not bringing in a goalie scrapped the playoffs from game 1. I have said all season we needed a big trade to make it in, it's completely baffling that we are so close to the playoffs picture still... A true testament to what Kessel and Lupul have done for us this season.

It's also the reason Ottawa won't make much noise in the playoffs, you can only outscored your opposition for so long

Just listened to Burke's interview. The one host was right, dirt bag is a great word.

What colour are the pies in your sky?
- triggermartin

Wait until they play the Leafs again... they'll turn it around.
- GoneFullRetard

Shut it nucker......

Hopefully Colborne isn't included in any supposed deal for....anybody.


That said, I think the next two games will go a long way to directing BB for monday afternoon.

If by the end of saturday's huge game vs. WSH, we haven't gined 3 of 4 points, then BB will be forced into action, as we can only expect help from out of town for so long.

There's no denying that Reimer's got the ball for the next two games. If he shows up and we get results for it, then I really don't think BB will make a move for a tender unless it's a rock-bottom price for a decent guy. Something I can't really think of.

If we continue to see a lack of real offensive output, then I see Grabovski getting moved and the subsequent draft picks being flipped for Carter. If we can get CHI's 1st and mid-level prospect for Grabs, then I'd have no problem with that pick being added with Kadri for Carter. That would rely on CBJs willingness to take a contract like Connolly, Komi or Army.

That's the theory I'm going with...

Also, I'm actually pulling for Ottawa to pass Boston and win the division... that felt wrong to say
- SofaKingBored

I'm really pulling for WPG to win the southeast. I mean, the only way they win games is by playing at home, and if they can wind up getting home ice in the first round, then who knows what happens

Just listened to Burke's interview. The one host was right, dirt bag is a great word.
- weirdoh

I tend to agree with him on some of the bad journalism stuff.