Tagged Under : asset management, Brian Burke, improvements, las vegas, Niklas Hagman, popularity contest, replaceable, suitors, Toronto Maple Leafs, untouchables, wings game

The lumberjack has swung his axe for the first time as Alex’s Blue Jays takes shape.
Dick Scott, Rob Ducey and Mike Basso were the first three to get the gong in their roles as Director of player development, scout and manager of the Las Vegas affiliate respectively.

Tony LaCava has, as expected moved up the ladder and is now the Director of Player development.

Lastly Alex moved some deck chairs around in his scouting department.

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

And now, the rumors may start…. Credit to Tim Wharnsby at the Globe and Mail, for being the first writer to publish what may have been at the heart of Paul Kelly’s dismissal:

“One of the prime reasons Paul Kelly was fired as NHLPA executive director is that he was allegedly caught reading a transcript from a confidential meeting between the union’s advisory board and 30-member player executive last June.

Some details began to leak out yesterday, including charges that Kelly peaked at a confidential transcript from a private session at the NHLPA summer meetings in Las Vegas two months ago.

The players were burned by the previous executive director Ted Saskin, who was fired after allegations that he monitored players’ e-mails for personal gain. So after learning about Kelly’s actions, mixed in with other concerns, they felt they could no longer trust him after he read the minutes of the private session.

When an executive board member was contacted yesterday to confirm the private session was part of the reason for Kelly’s dismissal, the phone line went silent. He then said, “The players have agreed not to say anything.” The player was given a chance to refute the story and did not deny the allegations.”

And there you have it, the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Now, I know what you are going to say, you don’t fire a guy for seeing a document, this isn’t the same as reading emails from your bosses (whatever happend to Ken Kim?). This is the first real issue that we have heard for the reason given for his dismissal. Is it the whole story? Not likely. Everyone who has spoken on the record has said the same thing, when the truth is told everyone will understand. We aren’t there yet, for sure, but this is a start.

By the way, there has been a lot of talk about the “anonymous Paul Kelly letter”. I have heard excerpts, but don’t have the whole thing. If anyone out there does it, send it along so I can supply it to those who wish to see it. I am too lazy to do much digging, so if you have it send it to torontosportsmedia at gmail dot com.

TSM

The Globe article about Paul Kelly snooping is here

This eatery was in the Las Vegas Airport….Loved the name ‘Burke In The Box’

Sir Brian was on Hockey Central At Noon today. Here is a rather crude interpretation of the interview:

*Burke picked Pittsburgh in 6 games. He didn’t make that public because he thinks that if you don’t make the playoffs you shouldn’t offer commentary- you should shut up- Burke only answering now because they asked me now after the fact.

* Burke didn’t know about the legacy group press conference- this is no different then the Phoenix situation. The Leafs have been told by the nhl not to discuss- He wishes he could speak and he will when he gets his turn. He didn’t see anything on this Legacy Group and therefore won’t say anything until he can.

* Burke was asked about an arena that has a capacity of 30k seats- He said there is a reason why arenas are the size they are- look at Chicago where the crowd isn’t a factor unless they are totally sold out- there is a reason they don’t build arenas that big-

* All he will say on another team in Toronto, is that the proper starting place for an expansion team or relocation is research. The league has never said we have research on this(another team in this market)- the proper start would be with research, that research has never been brought to us so this is all very hypothetical.

* On trading up: No progress yet, not surprised right now, usually happens on the floor- Burke wouldn’t give up much to go to #6- thinks there are a top 5…(yadda yadda yadda..any of this sound familiar yet?)

* Burke was asked if he regrets being so vocal about his intentions to move up? Burke has no regrets- This is a reality – He is not going to surprise anyone, so why not tell the 6 teams ahead of him that he is open to do business. Burke said he would do it again….No gamble here.

* Burke was asked if teams are honest in who they are going to take when having pre-draft discussions with other teams? Burke didn’t give a flat out yes or no. He talked about the years he was able to trade up and said that in the past everyone got who they wanted….

* Burke was asked about his history of drafting brothers before and if he would do it again? Burke said that once you get to know a family you are more comfortable with the bloodline- therefore you have much better odds with a pick….If you like the character of the older brother you are likely to get the same in the younger, if parents raised one kid properly odds are they raised the others well too. He said that they won’t get Schenn at #7.

* Burke was asked what is FA going to be like this year? Burke said that all they have to go on is in watching baseball and what they went through. The change was immediate and instant(as a result of the economy).- Burke expects the same in hockey but who knows…..Teams will still spend though he said.

* Burke was then asked for the lastest on the Monster- Burke said that Toronto is on the list. It was said that his agents want a deal that grantees he will be in the nhl next season as part of the deal- Burke was asked if he was okay with this- Burke said yes!- He said that he doesn’t’ know when he will be here to tour Toronto, but that he thinks it will be before the draft.

* Burke was asked about Justin Pogge. He hasn’t concluded what he is going to do with Pogge- he is a good kid – yes there is a chance Burke won’t qualify him…..

More later

Greetings from Las Vegas, Lots of people have been asking, so here’s’ the scoop on sin city: the hotels are packed, the casinos, restauarants and shops are empty. Last night at the hard rock casino and hotel, was the first time it felt like the Vegas of old. Apparently there are a ton of conventions here and those people arent getting the large expense accounts anymore so they come and dont do much. The hotels are cheap so people come but they arent spending a penny.

The detroit red wings are 3:2 favorites to win the stanley cup. A bet on a penguins sweep will pay 15:1.

So i read this in todays star:
“We intend to be pushing the cap every year,” said Burke. “We want to spend the money intelligently.”We’re Big Blue, we’re going to spend to the cap.”

From a fan perspective that is good on an excitement point of view. In order to spend to the cap Burke will have to be very busy. I have said all along that until the leafs cut ticket prices they owe it to their fans to spend the maximum. Its easy to spend the money, just ask JfJ…it’s another thing all together to spend it wisely. The biggest asset Burke has right now is cap space, how he maximizes that asset will be fascinating and will determine the success or failure of his regime.

TSM

Just did the usual tour across the internets and well, there just isn’t that much to write about tonight. Best article I have seen so far belong’s to Stephen Brunt who did a piece on Cito Gaston. Here are a few clips:

” ‘For a guy that did a pretty good job around here, I caught a lot of shit,’ Gaston says. ‘There was a lot of people hanging around who haven’t done quite the job but don’t catch the shit at all.’ ”

Cito is Cito. That much comes across in the article.

“When people have a tendency to treat you a little differently, then whether they’re racist or not, that’s the first thing going through your mind because you’re used to that happening to you. I can remember earlier this year and being in a hotel. I came back from working out and I was on the concierge floor. I thought I’d go in and get myself a bottle of water. Well, I was questioned about whether I lived on that floor or not. So things still happen like that. And I guarantee you that if I was white, I wouldn’t be questioned at all. I see it all the time. It still happens… So when I see things happen or people say stuff, I’m more likely to ask is it because of race or is it because they don’t like me? I would rather it be because they don’t like me, not because of the colour of my skin. But there’s not too many black guys who can go around to this day and say there’s no racism, because there still is. “So back to what he said: “I believed it then.”

For the record, Cito’s biggest media supporter these days is Mccown. Whether he says so jokingly or not, he is the ony guy who has said the Jays are going to go far this year and has given the manager a ton of credit. I remember the racist card being played back then. Cito hasn’t changed much has he?

Cito reminds me of the manager from the Major League movies. He just doesn’t seem to care too much. Not that is a bad thing. It’s just his perspective.

I know my team isn’t playing, and neither is my second team, and I hear the hockey is great, but I am having a tough time watching the playoffs right now.

An emailer sent me a note suggesting that I send Chuck Fletcher a congratulatory email on his new gig in Minnesota and try to convince him to sign the Sedins so Burke can’t!

Jays lost again tonight. The nay sayers are going to be out in full force. Not only did they lose tonight, but they did with god on the mound.

The Globe and Mail website has a new like. I like it. You?

Not sure if any of you out there have one, but I have been contemplating an electronic reader. I am told to go with the Kindle (yes I have a US address). Anyone try the Sony e-reader have a different opinion?

Next question. I have been with Telus mobility for almost 4 years (yes I am the one). Is it time to take the plunge and go to Rogers? On that same note, blackberry vs iphone????

I am taking Mrs. TSM to Las Vegas next week. It’s our (gulp) 10th anniversary. What’s your favorite vegas hotspot (keep it clean, Mrs. TSM is coming along)? Any prop bets I should make?

Have a good night

TSM

Brunt is here

Sources are telling TSM this am that Mega Hollywood movie and television producer, Jerry Bruckheimer has signed a letter of intent to purchase George Gillet’s interest in the Montreal Canadiens. An announcement should be made early in the morning. Bruckheimer who has long been rumored to want to own an NHL team in Las Vegas was said to have made a call to Gillete late last week and the two were able to hammer out the basics of an agreement late last night. The purchase price and the future of the club are not clear, nor are any of the details. I am sure there will be more as the day progresses.

Jerry Bruckheimer is famous for many a things, including all the CSI shows, The Amazing Race, Armageddon and other Hollywood hits.

Jerry Bruckheimer, Montreal Canadiens, George Gillette, Las Vegas

Since I saw the post on Kuklas Korner I haven’t stopped laughing. The NHL, the league that appears to be in complete denial about the current state of the economy decided to move it’s award show to Sin City, the city that spells excess, Las Vegas. Of course the fans of the NHL’s Las Vegas _____________ will really enjoy the show. Oh wait, you want to go to the show? So besides the airfare, the hotel and all that comes with traveling to the show (which has always been here in Toronto), you will have to fork over $500 US for a ticket. What is this the Superbowl of award shows? $500 for the freaking NHL award show??? How nuts is that? $616 Cdn. dollars for the NHL award show. Is the league trying to pay off all debts in fail swoop? Conversely, is it going to either be an empty show (oh wait, Doug Maclean will be there) or the entire house will be papered. Can someone who is smarter then me please explain how this is good for the league?

“We stayed in Toronto for a week and played three games. I don’t know if you ever stayed in Toronto, but it’s not exactly Las Vegas. To say that we were plucking our eyebrows out one at a time would be an understatement.”

And fuck you too Chipper. Here is hoping for some reason he has to come back. Please let him come back. Funny how other athletes come here and don’t seem to complain. Not enough hot spots for ya Chipper like there are in Atlanta?? Downtown Atlanta is a real thriller. Here’s hoping Bobby Cox gets to him and talks some sense into him before he opens his trap again. Somewhere I bet JP is laughing or cheering him on.

Meanwhile, get a load of the video of the Grabovsky/Blake affair. What the hell is Jamal Mayers doing? Who does this clown think he is? He shows more toughness in this clip then he has in every maple leaf game this season. Please let the Mayers trial end soon. Brian, waive him today if at all possible.

So the Seattle Post Intelligencer has announced that it is moving from the traditional pint based paper to an entirely online version. That, in case you missed it, is big news. A major North American daily going online only signifies how deep the economy is getting hit and the newsroom in Seattle is losing about 80% of it’s staff (over a hundred down to about 20!). We here in town have 4 dailies, plus the 2 TTC rags. If, one of the dailies were to go print only, which major paper could you see making the move first? Which do you think would benefit from such a move and which would hurt the most? Personally, I think the Sun should make the move. They should use any and all savings realized in creating a website that is actually palatable and then hiring writers who can, um, write.

On the topic of the economy, one has to laugh at the NHL. They really do have their heads buried in the sand these days. The GM’s, governors, PA all meet in places of excess at the most inappropriate of times. It really shows fans how much you feel their pain while hanging out in Palm Springs, Naples or other lofty destinations. So, what does the league do? Moves the awards show to the king of glitz, Las Vegas. Let me make this clear, the NHL award show is Canadiana at it’s worst. Ron Maclean is not the least bit funny when hosting and does little to dispel any Bob and Doug Canadian stereotypes that may still linger. It’s bad enough that the playoffs go as late as they do. Now you are going to move an award show (do other leagues have shows????) to the freaking desert of Las Vegas? Which high priced hookers are going to be arm and arm with Ron and Don? Don’t get me wrong, I love Vegas, I just think this is the wrong place at the wrong time.

Gord Kirke was on PTS this eve. Kirke just returned from a trip to visit/entertain our troops over in Afghanistan. The folks at the Fan haven’t as yet put the audio up. It’s great listening, if you didn’t hear it. If someone has it I would be glad to post it.

Here we are on St. Patrick’s Day and can one remember a more meaningless time in a Maple Leaf season in recent memory. Today all the papers had stories on Grabovsky. It was like training camp all over again. With around 20 games left, we are going to start reading about pre-game meals, summer vacations and what the locker room attendants do while on road trips….

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