Hey quick post this evening folks. I am not a rumor monger, but the drum beats are loud again this evening that something is up in Maple Leaf land. Several reliable sources are telling me that Burke is very close to a deal that has nothing to do with Phil Kessel. I am hearing that a deal is close to being consummated that would see Burke dealing a defenceman for either a prospect or a draft pick. I have no clue which defenceman could be on the move, one “source” told me he thought it was Mike Van Ryn, however that would surprise me given his health record in the past. Why would a GM take on that salary and give either a pick or a prospect?

In any event, there seems to be a consensus of those close to Burke that indeed something is about to be done.

More later

TSM

@yyzsportsmedia

So with Mike Milbury apparently gone, the question to you today is, who do you think should be on CBC’s Sports – Satellite Hotstove on Hockey Night In Canada? I have some names and opinions, but considering how much we love/loathe the segment I asked a friend last night this question, who, besides Bob McKenzie and Darren Dreger is hockey’s number one insider? That is, if you were to say, this rumor/news has to be true if for no other reason ______________ said it, and I trust him/her. One caveat to your list, the person can’t be on tv anywhere else on Saturday nights.

So, here are some of my thoughts, considering that the role is rumor monger/NHL news fact finder and it’s league wide not just Toronto:

Pierre Lebrun is still a solid choice, he does great work and is watchable
Larry Brooks, love or loathe, he knows his shit and he would be good for controversy
Kevin Allen, USA Today’s hockey writer is well connected across the league
Bill Watters, word is he may not be doing much TV anymore, or a dramatically reduced role and no Saturdays. Say what you want about him, he knows everybody but seems to add the letter E to the end of everyone’s name
Kevin Paul Dupont- Boston Globe writer is solid, been around for a long time and knows his shit
Scott Morrison- Ok he’s a tad dull and or stiff, but he knows his stuff too and is watchable
Jonas Segel- Couldn’t help myself
Tim Wharnsby- Good writer, been on the beat for a long time
Matt Sekeres- Used to cover the Senators and now covers the Canucks

On the out list:
Bruce Garrioch- Way too much fiction, not enough fact
Eric Duhatschek- I love him as a writer but he is too Sr. for this
Al Strachan- do I need to say why?

So, what do you think?