And even before Burke got here.

People like to rip the Leafs scouting department, but the truth is, they've done a decent job - when they've had picks to use.

It's not the scouts' fault that:

a) they very rarely are picking in the first two rounds; and
b) Leafs' prospects have been traded for aging vets on bucket list contracts.
- Atomic Wedgie

People are expecting five NHL players from every draft. It doesnt work that way at all.

I repeat: his draft record is abysmal. Just try and argue otherwise.
- triggermartin

one thing to remember about the draft. You are only as good as your scouts. Working for a low budget team like Anaheim, I doubt they spend a lot of money on their scouting department compared to the likes of Toronto and Detroit.

One thing to give Burke is that in Anaheim, he made some good picks. Bobby Ryan looks pretty good and the biggest surprise is Jake Gardiner and Justin Schultz.

Gardiner was ranked 31st prior to the draft and Burke drafted him at 17. That's a pretty big risk, but ended with a high reward. Schultz is also highly sought after. Add in Deschampes who came alive with the Marlies and he didn't do too poorly in Anaheim.

In Toronto, he's looked even better. He has drafted Kadri, Biggs, Percy, Blacker, McKegg, Ross, D'Amigo, and Leivo. Burke's known to keep his players in development leagues like the AHL to hone their skills as opposed to rushing them.

I repeat: his draft record is abysmal. Just try and argue otherwise.
- triggermartin

why do you say this?

seriously? who are these bad picks you speak of? how the hell do you know already? their still developing for crying out loud

Burke has yet to draft a player that has made the Leafs full time. Of the 30 teams, 24 have at least one player in their roster from their own drafts in those years.
- triggermartin

Oh, you're on of those guys... That's why you think his drafting record sucks.

Bryan Allan (4)
Daniel and Henrik (2,3)
Nathan Smith (23)
RJ Umberger (16)
Ryan Kesler (23)

bobby Ryan (2)
Mark Mitera (19)
Logan MacMillan (19)
Jake Gardiner (17)

Kadri (7)
Tyler Biggs (22)
Stuart Percy (25)



His first round history.

Burke has yet to draft a player that has made the Leafs full time. Of the 30 teams, 24 have at least one player in their roster from their own drafts in those years.
- triggermartin

Burke is well known for letting prospects develop. Bobby Ryan had to play at the AHL level for years when most other GM's would have had him in the NHL.

His first draft was 2009, three years ago. You gotta be atleast a little patient.

if all they lose out on is having to pay schneider a couple more million thats not being (frank)ed

connolly and komi people are suggesting.. sure spend 8-9million to save a couple million down the road. makes little sense.

the logic coming out of leafland regarding this is kinda silly. if the roles were reversed you sure as hell wouldnt be saying this.
- Dozzer

If it were my way, with respect to the Canucks I would:

- Trade Schneider for the highest bid, many teams need/want a goalie like him...could get some solid assets to help now and down the road.
- Keep Luongo and bring in another backup to help carry the load
- Bring in some more grit/character guys
- Win the cup this year/next

They are at their peak right now for winning the cup IMO, and every passing year that they fail, it will be harder. They need to make the best moves RIGHT NOW like LA did to ensure they are as strong as they can, and they have two solid tenders, one of which has a high trade value, the other...well he has nice hair.

Oh, you're on of those guys... That's why you think his drafting record sucks.
- jbold

All I'm saying is take a look at the players Burke passed on, were drafted by other teams and who ARE playing full time, and making significant contributions, while all of ours develop. And, yes, people, the Kessel deal does factor into this. It was mismanagement of draft assets, pure and simple.

Burke has yet to draft a player that has made the Leafs full time. Of the 30 teams, 24 have at least one player in their roster from their own drafts in those years.
- triggermartin

ahhh.. okay.. here is where burke has made his mistake

the reason those kids arent on the roster was from bad FA signings.. he clogged the roster up with underachieving vets

that.. i will give you.. is FA record is (frank)in horrid.

get rid of those clowns signed in FA and all of a sudden there is room for the picks to make the big club

Bryan Allan (4)
Daniel and Henrik (2,3)
Nathan Smith (23)
RJ Umberger (16)
Ryan Kesler (23)

bobby Ryan (2)
Mark Mitera (19)
Logan MacMillan (19)
Jake Gardiner (17)

Kadri (7)
Tyler Biggs (22)
Stuart Percy (25)



His first round history.
- jbold

Pronger?

why do you say this?

seriously? who are these bad picks you speak of? how the hell do you know already? their still developing for crying out loud
- Dozzer

If this 5th pick is not playing next year then it is the wrong pick to some, eh dozzer?

ahhh.. okay.. here is where burke has made his mistake

the reason those kids arent on the roster was from bad FA signings.. he clogged the roster up with underachieving vets

that.. i will give you.. is FA record is (frank)in horrid.

get rid of those clowns signed in FA and all of a sudden there is room for the picks to make the big club
- Dozzer

I also believe Wilson is to blame. He only wanted ready to go prospects and didn't want to spend time developing guys like Kadri

All I'm saying is take a look at the players Burke passed on, were drafted by other teams and who ARE playing full time, and making significant contributions, while all of ours develop.
- triggermartin

Pretty easy to say this now, but where was your crystal ball?


If that's your argument, you've already lost the argument.

All I'm saying is take a look at the players Burke passed on, were drafted by other teams and who ARE playing full time, and making significant contributions, while all of ours develop.
- triggermartin

thats not a fair argument

you can make that argument for any GM.. nobody has the brightest perfect sparkling draft record.. not one signle GM

guarantee you every GM in the league has regrets at the draft table

well... lets put this in context for you.

Would the Habs benefit by ridding themselves of Scott Gomez and the roster spot he occuppies? (Ignore CAP hit for the moment) Obvious answer - Yes. A younger, more energetic player would get more ice time.
Would having a less energetic, some would say lazy, indulged older player with a giant CAP hit relative to his contributions be negative to the club/locker room atmosphere? (can't ignore CAP hit here) Obvious answer - Yes.

Now in Gomez's case no one is going to take that contract off Montreal's hands without Montreal paying dearly for it. This is where Luongo's situation is somewhat different... Gomez's relatively short contract duration - Luongo LONG contract duration at his age. Gomez largely useless player without much(read any) upside. Luongo, some would argue (particularly Canuck fans) has tremendous value.

Its the combination of age, contract duration and what could be percieved as diminishing abilities that is driving the desire on VCRs part to move him, and its those same considerations that are making the few teams that might be interested wary about acquiring him.
- BorjeFan4Ever

but Luongo still has on-ice value, even to the Canucks. Gomez has no value to anyone. so that's why i think they're not comparable at all. like if both were UFAs. Luongo would get 4 years, $24 million or so. Gomez would be lucky to get 1 year, $1 million.

Burke has yet to draft a player that has made the Leafs full time. Of the 30 teams, 24 have at least one player in their roster from their own drafts in those years.
- triggermartin

Burke has drafted 3 times so far with the Leafs, HOW MANY times in the first round??

Think about it.

If this 5th pick is not playing next year then it is the wrong pick to some, eh dozzer?
- LeafMan

oh this guy needs to lead us to the cup with 2 years or its a bad pick

its such a naive stance to take

All I'm saying is take a look at the players Burke passed on, were drafted by other teams and who ARE playing full time, and making significant contributions, while all of ours develop. And, yes, people, the Kessel deal does factor into this. It was mismanagement of draft assets, pure and simple.
- triggermartin

name a few.

I can't believe Burke didnt draft Quick in the first round!!!!

I love the Leafs blogs...

So many fans... so many different opinions, lots of bickering.

It's entertainment!!!

It's the place to be!!!!!


- jimmc7722

Only thing missing is: UG!!!!!

Only thing missing is: UG!!!!!
- PrinceLH

UG is an idiot. Plain and simple.



Can I talk smack about him now, since he's no longer on this site?

Yup and let's compare some things between prior to Burke, and now.

Prior to Burke

top line
Antropov - Stajan - Poni

After Burke
Lupul - Bozak - Kessel

I'd say that he's made MAJOR improvements there

Prior to Burke
top 6 D
Kaberle - White - Kubina - Finger - Stralman - Schenn

After Burke
Phaneuf - Liles - Gardiner - Gunnarsson - Schenn - Komi (and Franson)

I'd say that's some big improvements

Prior to Burke
G
Toskala

Now
Reimer

Prospects
prior to Burke
Robbie Earl
John Mitchell
leading scorer on the Marlies - Tim Stapleton

Now
Kadri
Colborne
Blacker
Percy
McKegg
Ross
Biggs
- ILoveLamp

Now now, give some credit where it's due, Reimer, Gunnarsson, Kulemin, Stalberg, Tlusty,DiDomenico, Hayes, Schenn... These guys were here before Burke. Our prospect pool wasnt great... Wasnt anywhere near what we have now, but it wasnt devoid of talent either. Some of these guys now have important roles on thr team, and the value of others was used to get other prospects(without Hayes, Tlusty, Dido, and Stalberg, we wouldnt have Ross, Percy, and Leivo)

I also believe Wilson is to blame. He only wanted ready to go prospects and didn't want to spend time developing guys like Kadri
- ILoveLamp

i do think wilson and kadri's egos clashed

he talked about him not being responsible defensively while he playing kessel top line minutes

oh this guy needs to lead us to the cup with 2 years or its a bad pick

its such a naive stance to take
- Dozzer

Schenn (not Burke pick but..) & Kadri have played on the Leafs, some are in NCAA, can't get them to join the team, they are committed to the school, others stayed the course in Junior. Remember Kadri the first training camp and pre season, he actually out performed all the players on the roster but was sent back.

Yak, Gal, Grig and Forsberg go top 4 would it be so bad if the Leafs got a Murray or Reinhart with the 5th pick ? I know Leafs fans disagree with a D pick but doesn't it just create even more room with the assets to trade for a top 6 forward ?