I'd like to continue pretending Connolly isn't on the roster.
- Juice

He'll make more than Lupul next year

ugggh

What does that mean? That we should just humour him the constant blustery dog and pony show? No thanks.

Yeah, he's accountable - after four years, there should be more in the cupboard than some middling prospects.
- triggermartin

What that means is that different people express themselves differently. For Burke, he does it with frustration, anger and impatience....all that said....he did ultimately admit that he was accountable.

Not sure what else you'd be looking for from him today?

I think they do drug testing
- The_Vark

UG proves that this site does not.

- Holy_GM

maybe she can use some of those moves in bed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8MsYislXJg
- MetroidPrime

Ended up watching "worst delivered line ever" from Twilight...was pretty bad

How does that make any sense whatsoever? He had a 6 year contract. He has 6 years whether he does a 5 year plan or not. He didn't get a 1 year deal and then proclaim a 5 year plan so they would give him an extra 4 years. HE ALREADY HAD IT TO BEGIN WITH.


- Unholy_Goalie

He said he wanted to get better in a hurry, and was left with his pants down once he realized that wasn't going to happen.

Since then he's changed course and acquired the likes of Gardiner and a bunch of other decent prospects.

Plus the Leafs haven't rushed Kadri.

Wouldn't it be ironic if the team that always seemed to rush top-level talent ended up seeing the one guy they were patient with turn out a bust?

His employers (Tom Anselmi) emailed me personally (and all season tix holders) to apologize on behalf of ownership, mngmt (Burke), coaches, and players. I'll paraphrase but he admitted that they have not lived up to expectations and that they all need to be better. He called this season a failure.

If they can openly criticize themselves certainly I'm not a silly tool for doing the same?
- The Law

Criticizing is one thing...and I never claimed that wasn't valid.

But that also shouldn't deflect the fact that Burke has built organizational depth that we haven't seen in years.

And the 'tools' I was referring to were those that are calling for his head, without considering all variables.

The undeniable fact is that while this team still sucks. We have Gardiner for nothing. We got Lupul in that deal and that was for a grand sum of nothing.

I think Dion was a positive from the simple fact that he got his scoring touch back. He was never expected to be a defensive beast, and based on how Keith Aulie had played at the end of the previous season, I was really counting on those two becoming a pair that would compliment eachother.

The undeniable fact is that while we like to harp on BB for bad moves, which are obvious to point out, the fact is that this is the closest thing to a real rebuild through youth that this team has had in a long time. He gave up on Versteeg and turned him into a first, he turned Kaberle into a guy who was drafted in the first round, along with an actual late first round pick.

What he obviously needs is a goalie and a no. 1 centre, but the sad fact is that these things don't grow on trees, and we can't hold him accountable for the fact that JFJ dumped Tuuka Rask.

Come to think of it, if we had kept Tuuka, would JFJ still be the Leafs GM?
- AngryWhiteMale

Yes, the fact we suck is undeniable. And to sort of gloss over the countless mistakes made by Burke while pointing out the few positives is card stacking. BTW, a 'real' rebuild does not BEGIN by immediately dealing two first round picks, and a second rounder for a one dimensional player.

If Burke can fail as miserably as he has and still have a job, yeah, he can.


- Unholy_Goalie

You shouldn't be licensed to use the emoticon...ever.

Yes, the fact we suck is undeniable. And to sort of gloss over the countless mistakes made by Burke while pointing out the few positives is card stacking. BTW, a 'real' rebuild does not BEGIN by immediately dealing two first round picks, and a second rounder for a one dimensional player.
- triggermartin

It's easier to deal with his errors when you just gloss over them.

Burke is too impatient to rebuild properly. He will die impatient.

Yes, the fact we suck is undeniable. And to sort of gloss over the countless mistakes made by Burke while pointing out the few positives is card stacking. BTW, a 'real' rebuild does not BEGIN by immediately dealing two first round picks, and a second rounder for a one dimensional player.
- triggermartin

The rebuild began after the Kessel trade. Are you ignorant or new?

His signings have been mistakes, his trades have worked out. I wouldnt say his mistakes out weight the positives, especially considering most of what he has brought in the past couple of seasons will take time to develop.

It's easier to deal with his errors when you just gloss over them.

Burke is too impatient to rebuild properly. He will die impatient.
- Unholy_Goalie

The irony of this post is probably something you didnt notice.

Criticizing is one thing...and I never claimed that wasn't valid.

But that also shouldn't deflect the fact that Burke has built organizational depth that we haven't seen in years.

And the 'tools' I was referring to were those that are calling for his head, without considering all variables.
- Pen15

After four years, adding a bunch of middling prospects is simply not good enough. I never expected more from him today; it was always going to be an exercise in BS, as it has been from day 1 with him. I was interested in what you, and the other Burke apologists, thought of it.

The undeniable fact is that while this team still sucks. We have Gardiner for nothing. We got Lupul in that deal and that was for a grand sum of nothing.

I think Dion was a positive from the simple fact that he got his scoring touch back. He was never expected to be a defensive beast, and based on how Keith Aulie had played at the end of the previous season, I was really counting on those two becoming a pair that would compliment eachother.

The undeniable fact is that while we like to harp on BB for bad moves, which are obvious to point out, the fact is that this is the closest thing to a real rebuild through youth that this team has had in a long time. He gave up on Versteeg and turned him into a first, he turned Kaberle into a guy who was drafted in the first round, along with an actual late first round pick.

What he obviously needs is a goalie and a no. 1 centre, but the sad fact is that these things don't grow on trees, and we can't hold him accountable for the fact that JFJ dumped Tuuka Rask.

Come to think of it, if we had kept Tuuka, would JFJ still be the Leafs GM?
- AngryWhiteMale

THIS

Yes, the fact we suck is undeniable. And to sort of gloss over the countless mistakes made by Burke while pointing out the few positives is card stacking. BTW, a 'real' rebuild does not BEGIN by immediately dealing two first round picks, and a second rounder for a one dimensional player.
- triggermartin

Yes that was part of the learning curve. At least we got a half decent young player out of it who, if we don't make the playoffs next year, will be cashed in.

Not to say that it's Phil's fault. The fact that he puts up 30+ goals a year is commendable considering his centre has been Tyler Bozak.

The rebuild began after the Kessel trade. Are you ignorant or new?

His signings have been mistakes, his trades have worked out. I wouldnt say his mistakes out weight the positives, especially considering most of what he has brought in the past couple of seasons will take time to develop.
- Gunslinger

at least he plans on trading and not signing guys to retool for next season since hes at least good at that

The irony of this post is probably something you didnt notice.
- Gunslinger

You shouldn't be licensed to use the emoticon...ever.
- Pen15

The learn to read syndrome.

Why do you think childrens books are more picture oriented than words?

The learn to read syndrome.

Why do you think childrens books are more picture oriented than words?
- Gunslinger

The rebuild began after the Kessel trade. Are you ignorant or new?

His signings have been mistakes, his trades have worked out. I wouldnt say his mistakes out weight the positives, especially considering most of what he has brought in the past couple of seasons will take time to develop.
- Gunslinger

It never was a rebuild, mr. smarty. That's my whole point. There is no plan. Pure desperation mode, now.

After four years, adding a bunch of middling prospects is simply not good enough. I never expected more from him today; it was always going to be an exercise in BS, as it has been from day 1 with him. I was interested in what you, and the other Burke apologists, thought of it.
- triggermartin

Well now you know...

And I really think you're underestimating the depth and quality of the prospects we have...

After four years, adding a bunch of middling prospects is simply not good enough. I never expected more from him today; it was always going to be an exercise in BS, as it has been from day 1 with him. I was interested in what you, and the other Burke apologists, thought of it.
- triggermartin

So anyone who doesnt bash Burke is an apologist? Try to stay on your horse, ride into the sunset. You're a hero in not only books, but the hearts of mankind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4MM2lxrnBw

It never was a rebuild, mr. smarty. That's my whole point. There is no plan. Pure desperation mode, now.
- triggermartin

We have more 1st rounders in our system than any other team in the NHL....

A little tidbit I learned myself today...

It never was a rebuild, mr. smarty. That's my whole point. There is no plan. Pure desperation mode, now.
- triggermartin

Yea there never was.

That explains trading Beauch, Kaberle and Versteeg for prospects and picks.

You're so awesome that your gun shoots you and your fridge drives you to work.