So far all the parties are saying all the right things. The Ducks issues a very nice statement about Burke taking the job in Toronto. Burke took the opening few minutes of his press conference to thank the ducks. Everyone join hands and sing koombaya. TSN is now reporting that Burke has officially asked the Ducks for permission to talk to his buddy Dave Nonis. No news there right? It has been speculated around everywhere from the minute it started to look like this deal would get done. Here’s a question for you. What happens if the Ducks say no? They have before right? Why wouldn’t they again and why not now?

Just a thought….

Very few things make me nauseous. This one thing that I saw made me ill enough to the point that I have taken some time today to contemplate stop writing. You see I do this to blow off some steam. It is a great distraction from the regular rigors of daily life and I really love writing. I find the fact that a few people enjoy what I have to say the ultimate compliment. When the happy howie issue came to fruition a few weeks ago, I was honored to be included in the group who drafted the email that was posted all over. The good folks at PPP, He Score He Shoot, Down Goes Brown, Eye, Cox (and more, sorry if I left you out) have been at this longer then I , and then again, who the hell am I???? My point is that the one thing I admire about the NHL these days is the adaptation of technology and in a lot of major markets the blogosphere. As much as I loathe Hanky, he is a perfect example of the appetite for hockey info online. There are so many great fan sites out there that pay tribute to our teams, our games, it really is a great online world we live in.

The best thing about the web is that it really is the world wide web, and anyone, anywhere can post an opinion. So, what has me sick? Well, when a person allegedly prey’s on young children, takes kids from their families and has the type of reputation that a certain individual has (irrespective of a recent court finding) it makes me sick to see that this person is writing a blog about hockey. Yes folks, a colleague was kind enough to forward to me a link to David Frost’s hockey blog and I have been sick ever since.

There are folks out there I don’t know and don’t like. There are folks out there I do know and don’t like. Perhaps I don’t like too many people. I don’t know Dwayne or Hanky. I don’t like that he posts constant crap on his sight (him personally, not some of the other writers on his site). I don’t like Howie’s writing either, but I don’t know him either. I dislike his writing because I think he is a fraud. I think he wears Maple Leaf boxers, sleeps on a bed with Maple Leaf sheets and has photos of himself with his favorite buds all over his house. I think he is a fraud because the negativity he spews isn’t genuine. I think he does it to keep up with the Cox’s and the Simmons in this town. I have nothing against the person as I don’t know him.

I don’t know David Frost (thankfully). I have read way too much about the guy and have formed an opinion of him that I am sure you all can guess. We in this country (whichever North American one you likely live in) enjoy freedom of press and freedom of expression. I know that very well, but for some reason the fact that this guy is writing about hockey is driving me nuts. Is it that one of his former players is serving time for trying to kill him? Oh wait, that player is featured on the blog. Yup there is Frosty’s favorites (which gives me all kinds of disgusting thoughts) and Danton’s den. I am curious is that the den from which he allegedly tried to have Frost offed or the jail cell he is currently living in?

The guy is trying to be controversial. He is going to try and get idiots like me to write about him so that others will go to the site and read what he has to say. More so you can bet he is going to profit from it. So I am not going to provide you a link and I am not going to give you the address. This is not the traffic crash you have to look at. Like the famous line in the Naked Gun movie…move along there is nothing to see here. The site was registerd on the 19th of this month. Maybe I am late to the game. Others will write about it. Others will print it. You decide if you want to look, me, one look and I am done…. Who knows, I am sure this is exactly the type of blogger that would fit in well with Hanky…

It’s a long one so I am not going to tear it apart, but Bob’s preview for Leaf fans on the Brian Burke era is great. There is one flaw that I see, and I will get to that….:

“For as much of the bull in a china shop mentality as Burke may portray – and this is not to suggest he can’t be a runaway train at times — he also knows there is going to be no shortage of teams looking to pick his pocket right off the hop when he has yet to fully familiarize himself with his new team. So while it may not be fashionable to say it because it doesn’t fit the Burke image, the first thing he is likely to do is nothing — just take some time to assess the Maple Leaf roster and see firsthand what he does or doesn’t have. Mind you, knowing Burke, that may not take too long, but it’s doubtful within a week of being in Toronto that you will see massive or wholesale changes. Those will come, sure enough, but not right away.”

I think this is right. No moves right away because he isn’t a position to make them so these rumors around right now are more BS then ever….

“would be absolutely shocked, for example, if a hard-working, skilled player such as Niklas Hagman, who has played well in Toronto, would be ditched because of his birth certificate. But if I were a European player who isn’t regarded by Burke as a top-six forward or top-four defenceman, well, it’s been nice knowing you.”

He isn’t going to move a guy because of his birth certificate, rest assured of that. I think that if he had to chose between equal players he would pick a guy from North America, but only if they were of equal talent….

“Burke is fortunate to be coming into a situation where he has a coach in place – Burke’s former college teammate Ron Wilson – he can work with. That will allow him to get right to the rebuild.
Burke’s history in both Vancouver and Anaheim is that he wants his team to play an entertaining, up-tempo style of hockey, that he prefers they pressure the puck in all three zones and play a robust, physical style that includes fighting when necessary, and maybe at times when it’s not necessary.
He believes his top six forwards should be skill players and his bottom six forwards should be what he calls “hard hats” with size, strength and pugilistic ability. He believes in the same philosophy with his top four defenceman versus his Nos. 5 through 7 on the blueline. He also maintains his players should be heavily involved in community activities and service and will mandate they do more of that type of work in the community.”

I started this post before the press conference but didn’t have the time to finish it. I swear McKenzie posted this before the announcement. Do you think he knows Burke?????

“At this point, you could make a lot of predictions on what Burke will or won’t do when he takes over the Leafs, but I am prepared to make one that I think you can pretty much take to the bank, based on Burke’s history as an executive in the NHL. The Leafs don’t currently have a heavyweight tough guy, unless perhaps recent AHL call up Andre Deveaux can step up in that role. But if Deveaux doesn’t, I’ll bet the first tangible move Burke makes with the Leafs’ on-ice roster is to bring in a legitimate tough guy.Burke loves to make a statement and he loves nothing better than making that kind of statement to set the tone for his regime in Toronto.”

By far the best preview I saw, also turned out to be the best review of the press conference…

here is the link

Best part to me was when he said his teams will “have the proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone truculence and belligerence.”

I will break down more later but for now…here is the play by play:

Richard Peddie:
From the start of the search we said we were looking for a long term builder on and off the ice with established track record Someone who was good at Identifying talent can work with the media and the intense scrutiny there is here. We were looking for someone who could serve as President and GM and someone who is a proven winner.
In Brian Burke we have found someone with a stellar track record- winner as executive and nhl executive whalers- canucks and ducks. He has been successful as an attorney as agent and as a player. He is a long term builder who is going to make up competitive for years to come. He is charged with the order to win our 14th cup.
Peddie also took time to thank Cliff Fletcher who has set the table for Brian to build upon and given the Leafs the luxury to conduct search without time constraints. Cliff will remain as a consultant.
Lastly he thanked Gord Kirke.
Brian Burke:
Said what a great pleasure to be here. He then wanted to say a few words about Anaheim. He wanted to properly say goodbye. This presented an opportunity for him and his wife to be in the same time zone as his kids in 11 years. He then thanked everyone in Anaheim especially the owners.
Coming to Toronto is almost like a dream come true. As he has said before it is like the Vatican if you are a catholic; the centre of the hockey universe- most important in hockey on the planet. He Couldn’t be more excited about the job ahead. The maple leafs are one of the crown jewels in sports and an iconic brand world wide. He just can’t put it into words what the feeling is like. He is truly humbled by it- He is also burden by it’s rich history, the job is equally humbling, exciting daunting and exhilarating.
The job is not going to be easy. Cliff made some positive steps. Changing the GM doesn’t change a lot of things – this is going to take time and patience. Changing the GM doesn’t change the roster – or unrealized expectations.
What it does do is allow you to time to turn the page to a clean start.
Burke’s Philosophy is based upon 3 pillars :
1. Entertaining style- justify the price of the ticket win or lose aggressive pursuit of the puck in all three zones, prefer to possess the puck, answering physical challenges; playing a style that allows younger players to develop in fear free environment
2. Financial and fiscal prudence-at the end of the day it is the fans and sponsors money and we try to spend it intelligently – it’s a cornerstone- doesn’t matter if you are profitable or not, you spend money as wisely as we can, its not my money.
3. Community service – not optional you want to play in a great city like Toronto you will give back to the community or we will find you somewhere else to play. Player will be more active then they have ever been before and if you don’t like it you will not play here.
Within those pillars we believe in a top 6 forward group that has high skill level and the bottom six that have plumber mentality, being physical and blocking shots. Same with defense, the top 4 are skilled and the bottom 2 are plumbers. He has great respect for the plumber groups
He believes you build team from net out.
His teams all have the proper levels of pugnacity, testosterone truculence and belligerence .
He is a players gm- players are both the best people and athletes in pro sports
Usually when you take over a team you have to take the coach is there. He couldn’t be happier to take over a team with Ron and his assistants
He and Wislon share same philosophies.
In college Wilson was the star and Burke won the academic award every year.
He believes in giving people(players and staff) an opportunity to prove themselves –
Cliff has a job here as long as he wants one….Will talk to Cliff on the roadtrip.
He has a lot of respect for Joe Nieuendyk, everyone will have chance to show they want to belong and to fit in.
The 1st step is to familiarize himself with the team, you think you know a team and he has years of reports on this team but you don’t know it until they are your team. Burke is Going on the road trip.
For those who think a trade is coming soon they need to now that the NHL Christmas trade freeze kicks on the 19th,. Burke believes that players don’t get traded at Christmas time unless they want too. His freeze goes in on dec 9th….Therefore it is going to be hard to do be in a position to make evaluations and complete a trade before December 9th. He strongly believes that players get holiday time with families…
Second job is to asses the Marlies.
Third he has to spend some time with the scouting staff . He believes their role is to identify character and useful people who can do more then 1 thing well who have tenacity and are coachable high hockey iq…will figure out which scouts can deliver that.
He was then asked what his timeframe to be Stanley cup competitive- He said that in law school he was taught that when you don’t know the answer , answer, it depends. it depends..
He was asked about Mats Sundin- He thinks its’ unfair to criticize him for not picking- He has more respect for a guy who takes his time to decide instead of someone who figures it out while collecting the pay cheque. However, he figures that the :eafs don’t profile as a team he wants to play with – Sundin has $2 less then god already… so it isn’t about the money, Sundin will end up somewhere where he thinks he can win….Toronto doesn’t fit that profile right now.
Was asked about moving up to get Schenn and trading a pick to get Grabovsky. Anyone who criticized moving up to get Schenn looks foolish- He wouldn’t have moved up based on his reports- so all you have to do is applaud because he has been one of the best rookies in the league.… With Grabovsky- he tried hard to get him. Grabovsky has rewarded cliff’s effort with his play cliff deserves credit for both moves.
When he went to get interviewed on LeafsTV the first thing he did was take off his tie, “This is the last time you see me with a tie”…

As if you won’t be, just in case, TSM will be watching live and have commentary during and after. Anyone else watching Tommy Boy which is on 319 on Rogers right now???

That didn’t take long did it? Paul Hunter and the brains at the headline writing desk at the Star did some homework and actually spend some time researching Brian Burke’s draft history while at the helm of the Vancouver Canucks. As the old latin saying Res ipsa loquitur goes, his record speaks for itself:

“Burke’s ‘Nucks made 18 picks over two drafts in 2000 and 2002 and came up with exactly zero players who proved to be legitimate prospects. Those 18 players went on to combine for a mere 31 NHL games over their careers. Heck, Carlo Colaiacovo plays almost that many in one season.”

Let’s get a few things clear right from the get go. He owns that distinction. He was the GM, they were his picks and he takes the blame. Having said that we all know the difficulty in grading the NHL draft, unlike the NBA or NFL the NHL draft is a total crapshoot. Also, most GM’s don’t see much of the players being picked, they rely on their staffs. The one thing everyone has said about Burke is that he allows his people to do their jobs. Remember though the buck stops at the GM’s desk.

“Burke’s draft day work hasn’t been all terrible. While he hasn’t historically done well at mining the depths of the draft – those later rounds when some teams unearth gems – the new Leaf GM has shown himself to be a master of aggressively working the draft floor to get a prospect he covets. While with Hartford in 1993, he and his staff identified gangly defenceman Chris Pronger as that year’s must-have junior. With a sixth-round pick, however, Burke realized he didn’t have a chance at the impressive Peterborough Petes’ product. So Burke traded his top three picks along with future considerations (Sergei Makarov) to San Jose to move up into the two hole and grab Pronger. Despite not picking again until 72nd after that trade, Burke had perhaps his best draft, following the selection of Pronger by drafting Marek Malik, Nolan Pratt and Manny Legace.”

Funny how that type of analysis goes near the bottom of the story… Must be those damn headline writers at the Star again….

“Burke pulled off a similar coup in 1999 when, determined to keep the Swedish Sedin twins together with Vancouver, he worked the draft floor like he was playing a game of chess. He had the third pick overall but completed three separate deals – one that had him briefly holding the No. 1 pick – until he had the second and third selections, which he used to get the twins. Apparently spent by those machinations, they were the only two future NHLers the Canucks would draft that spring.”

The reality is there are but two ways of looking at the world The cup is either half empty or half full. As the Burke era begins, each of us will have to decide which way we go with respect to the Brian Burke era. I don’t think anyone should look at any one of his last positions as that much of an indicator of his future performance. Each job presents its own scenario, complete with their own challenges and goals. I would think that coming to the Leafs as Burke does know presents the artist with as clean a canvas as a GM could want. The current roster isn’t perfect or even very good (if it were would Burke be coming?) so I am sure the one thing that would make the job more ideal is there were a few more A level prospects. other then that what more could a GM want? All the resources he could ever want. He will be able to hire whom he wants, add scouts, coaches etc. Make whatever deals he wants. Buy out whichever Blakes he wants, I mean players. A starving fan base that will tread on every move, every step he takes. The guy has landed in hockey heaven. The only downside is having to deal with the dipsticks in the toronto media he will have to deal with on a regular basis.

I, am sure none of your are surprised, am in total agreement with everything written here as ESPN’s Senior Hockey writer included Sundin on his list of this years Turkeys:

“The big Swede is/was a terrific player and I’d love to see him come back and play. But, I’m a little confused. At last season’s trade deadline, he said he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause because he didn’t believe in the idea of joining a team for just the stretch run. He went a step further, talking about the “entire journey” that means “October through June.” I guess he’s changed his mind about that. He’s certainly entitled to change his mind, but I think hockey fans (and writers) are entitled to get tired of waiting for him to make a decision. Sundin’s agent, J.P. Barry, says there are a dozen teams interested in his client. I believe that. I also believe Sundin only wants to go to two or three cities. I figure New York and Montreal remain at the top of his list, if he ever decides to come back. I guess time will tell. I guess …”

It is J.P Barry’s job to drum up interest in his client. i am convinced that every time we hear a peep about Sundin it is his agent trying to keep his client’s name alive….

Yesterday was US thanksgiving. While it is not celebrated here in Canada it does allow us (if we allow it to) all a time to reflect and think, just a little bit about what we have to give thanks for. The brilliant folks over at Kuklas Korner has asked folks to share with them on Monday their favorite hockey memories as a tribute to hockey by writing something positive about hockey. This is not by column for that, however I do have that spirit in mind when I write this.

Last January, nearly 11 months ago rumors (you can’t imagine that in this town) where swirling that the current Leaf GM John Ferguson Jr. (JFJ) was going to be fired from his post as head of the Leafs. Then, almost suddenly on January 22nd, Richard Peddie announced to the world that he had relived Ferguson of his duties and that Cliff Fletcher would run the franchise form a hockey perspective until a full time replacement was found. You can watch the infamous lip moving press conference here:

What Cliff took over at that time was a complete disaster. The team was a mess, the roster a joke, the performance even worse. The franchise was the laughing stock of the league. Did Cliff end all of that? No he did not. Did he at the very least try to stop the runaway ship? Yes he did. Did he build the basis of a stanley cup champion? No he did not. Was he supposed to ? No he wasn’t. His goal was to do a lot of the analysis and some of the lifting so that whomever took over on a full time basis wouldn’t be starting at step 1. That he has done. Cliff Fletcher, on two separate occasions joined a franchise in dire need of guidance, of stability and both times he fulfilled his mandate. As a kid growing up, I recall being taught that the ultimate judge of the performance of a person is whether they leave a place in better shape then that in which they found it. Cliff Fletcher (if he is actually leaving) leaves this stint as GM in much better shape then when he found it. He has saved some money, he has lowered the average age of the players and he has at least 1 very good prospect in Luke Schenn. He tried to do more but had his hands tied by the horrific work of JFJ with respect to NTC’s.

For anyone (Damien) to say otherwise is utter bullshit. The guy was hired to do a job and he did it to the best of his ability. He wasn’t hired to take things to the end. He was hired to stop the bleeding and start to restore some of the dignity. People (Damien) said he blew draft picks on certain acquisitions fail to admit that he had to ice a team this year. Obviously there was a huge problem in the locker-room. He tried to eradicate those who caused the problems. That comes at a cost. The Leafs couldn’t go from a franchise that spent the maximum allowed under the cap to a team at the floor, that just isn’t feasible. He has built a team that should be respectable. Does that mean they are going to win every night? No, it doesn’t. Have the leafs, their management or their fans been embarrassed by anything he has done since he took over? Nope. Can you say the same thing about his predecessor? Nope. Did he do everything to the point of escaping all criticism? No, he is human I am sure if asked he would admit there are things he wished he could do over. He brought in a very good coach, some good young talent and got rid of a lot of problems. Burke is in a better spot tomorrow then if JFJ were still at the helm. He has a better coach and a better roster, it just doesn’t get any simpler.

So, on this Friday after Thanksgiving we Leaf Fans should be thankful for Cliff Fletcher who didn’t need this job, for taking it, for improving our lot and starting the long road back to respectability for us. We are better off then when you got here and for that we are thankful. So, from this Maple Leaf fan anyway, thanks Cliff!

Ok….I am now almost willing to say that it is done…. The NHL’s NHL Director of Corporate Communications has posted on his twitter account the following Tweet “NHL brian burke new leafs GM” that is as close to a legitimate source as I need. I guess all I had to do was ask….

You see this is why the media blew the story. Between the coup in the Canadian government, the unrest / terrorist situation in Mumbai I have been waiting around all day for final confirmation that Brian Burke picked up his pen and signed the deal. So far, as of 4:30 no one , aside from Simmons as said that in fact Burke has done so…. There has been no announcement, no leaked announcement nadda. We are getting all kinds of junk about what he is going to do, what he isn’t going to do. Most of the guru’s are blessing the choice only two that I know of (Marty York and Mike Hogan) have been asking why….

So the question of the day is, who, or whom is hanging out at the airport hoping to grab the first photo or quote from Burke when he arrives? I wouldn’t put it beyond Berger to be waiting at the airport in Boston, no joke. Can’t you picture Happy Howie greeting Burke at the gate in his latest Argyle sweater and Dan Marino jersey??? You know you can!

TSM will continue to monitor the situation…so far, nadda!