Brian Burke fired

[Ravin]

Plus also, people didn't like Burke's hard stand on getting around the cap and offer sheets. I've read things where management was pissed he didn't put in a huge offer sheet for Stamkos to try and take him away, or he didn't 'play the game' to try and land Richards, even though everyone knew he was going to New York, he was just putting on a song and dance.

[leaffan]

Plus also, people didn't like Burke's hard stand on getting around the cap and offer sheets. I've read things where management was pissed he didn't put in a huge offer sheet for Stamkos to try and take him away, or he didn't 'play the game' to try and land Richards, even though everyone knew he was going to New York, he was just putting on a song and dance.

This CBA might as well be called the Brian Burke CBA since it has so many things in it that directly came from him. Hence the reason why I'm baffled at a management group firing a guy that knows this current CBA inside and out and already has a leg up on it.

[ssags11]

This CBA might as well be called the Brian Burke CBA since it has so many things in it that directly came from him. Hence the reason why I'm baffled at a management group firing a guy that knows this current CBA inside and out and already has a leg up on it.

Agreed it is baffling they fired him and the timing of it is baffling too. But he is not gone from the Leafs, he was given the title of Senior Adviser which is the same title given to Harry Sinden. So, he will still around to help Nonis.

Not sure Burke got the better deal in the Kaberle trade either, Colborne is a bust if you ask me and will be a perennial AHL player. Yes, Kaberle wasn't the greatest but he was more than good for the Cup run which is all that matters. The Kessel trade is always going to haunt the Leafs, that was a bad trade. Yes, you got a skilled 30 goal scorer but we got a potential top ten player, a top pairing defenseman and very good third line power forward that projects to be a Ryan Callahan type of player.

[leaffan]

Agreed it is baffling they fired him and the timing of it is baffling too. But he is not gone from the Leafs, he was given the title of Senior Adviser which is the same title given to Harry Sinden. So, he will still around to help Nonis.

Not sure Burke got the better deal in the Kaberle trade either, Colborne is a bust if you ask me and will be a perennial AHL player. Yes, Kaberle wasn't the greatest but he was more than good for the Cup run which is all that matters. The Kessel trade is always going to haunt the Leafs, that was a bad trade. Yes, you got a skilled 30 goal scorer but we got a potential top ten player, a top pairing defenseman and very good third line power forward that projects to be a Ryan Callahan type of player.

Colbornes a bust.... what nonsense is this lmao.

The guy is turning 23 at the end of this month and if it wasn't for the insane amount of center depth the leafs already have he would be getting time in the NHL this season. The Colborne trade was a raping because they also got Tyler Biggs and John Michael Liles out of it thanks to the picks coming back.

[ssags11]

Colbornes a bust.... what nonsense is this lmao.

The guy is turning 23 at the end of this month and if it wasn't for the insane amount of center depth the leafs already have he would be getting time in the NHL this season. The Colborne trade was a raping because they also got Tyler Biggs and John Michael Liles out of it thanks to the picks coming back.

I can not understand for the life of me why Leaf fans are so high on Colborne. He is not that good in my opinion. I find it troublesome he is 23 already and can't crack a spot on the Leafs lineup. He is behind Grabovski, Bozak, McClement, Steckel and Aucoin. Seriously, he can't beat out one of those guys? And I believe Kadri is a natural center. Colborne is a 50/50 making it in the NHL guy.

[leaffan]

I can not understand for the life of me why Leaf fans are so high on Colborne. He is not that good in my opinion. I find it troublesome he is 23 already and can't crack a spot on the Leafs lineup. He is behind Grabovski, Bozak, McClement, Steckel and Aucoin. Seriously, he can't beat out one of those guys? And I believe Kadri is a natural center. Colborne is a 50/50 making it in the NHL guy.

McClement and Steckel are 3rd/4th line PK guys. Grabo is technically the first line C right now but plays on the second. You also have Bozak, Lombardi and glass man Connolly all with significant NHL contracts which basically leave them pencilled in to the NHL till the end of their deals. You also have Kadri who is still in front of Colborne. Its just too jammed pack with NHL contracts for him to be playing on the leafs and quite frankly I would rather him play more in the minors for the better ice time. He's currently 22 and has only 2 years of pro hockey played. He's just coming off a season ending injury last season. This is honestly a typical time period for guys in the NHL. I really don't know what your expecting although I do find it funny for years people were bitching and moaning that the leafs used to play their young players too early and they always suffered. Now they pretty much follow the Detroit model of grooming players and people are bitching because he can't make a lineup packed with centers.

[ssags11]

McClement and Steckel are 3rd/4th line PK guys. Grabo is technically the first line C right now but plays on the second. You also have Bozak, Lombardi and glass man Connolly all with significant NHL contracts which basically leave them pencilled in to the NHL till the end of their deals. You also have Kadri who is still in front of Colborne. Its just too jammed pack with NHL contracts for him to be playing on the leafs and quite frankly I would rather him play more in the minors for the better ice time. He's currently 22 and has only 2 years of pro hockey played. He's just coming off a season ending injury last season. This is honestly a typical time period for guys in the NHL. I really don't know what your expecting although I do find it funny for years people were bitching and moaning that the leafs used to play their young players too early and they always suffered. Now they pretty much follow the Detroit model of grooming players and people are bitching because he can't make a lineup packed with centers.

I understand what you are saying. I am not a Leafs fan, I watched a few games when he was in Providence. I just don't think he has what it takes. At 22 almost 23 he is too timid and afraid. He's a big kid that doesn't use his size at all. That's my opinion.

[Ravin]

Burke is giving a presser today at noon. This could be a glorious pipe bomb, or pure class. Either way should be fun. I hope he thanks himself for the service to the Maple Leafs.

[Ravin]

Typical Burke presser. Basically answered a lot of the questions either by saying "It is not my issue anymore" or "go as the board and the people who made the choice". Though it was funny to start the thing off with him saying he has a cold and wish they would have told me sooner before he went to Russia.

Plus also his blast on Steve Simmonds was awesome. Never have to talk to him again. You will never find a bigger idiot then Steve Simmonds.

[Guest]

Typical Burke presser. Basically answered a lot of the questions either by saying "It is not my issue anymore" or "go as the board and the people who made the choice". Though it was funny to start the thing off with him saying he has a cold and wish they would have told me sooner before he went to Russia.

Plus also his blast on Steve Simmonds was awesome. Never have to talk to him again. You will never find a bigger idiot then Steve Simmonds.

Then you know he's already on the lookout for his next job. Should be interesting to see if he does end up somewhere else as a GM next off-season.

[ssags11]

Typical Burke presser. Basically answered a lot of the questions either by saying "It is not my issue anymore" or "go as the board and the people who made the choice". Though it was funny to start the thing off with him saying he has a cold and wish they would have told me sooner before he went to Russia.

Plus also his blast on Steve Simmonds was awesome. Never have to talk to him again. You will never find a bigger idiot then Steve Simmonds.

The best is, he started a war between Leaf and Hab fans by calling the Leafs the crown jewel of the NHL.

[leaffan]

I understand what you are saying. I am not a Leafs fan, I watched a few games when he was in Providence. I just don't think he has what it takes. At 22 almost 23 he is too timid and afraid. He's a big kid that doesn't use his size at all. That's my opinion.

He's quite the opposite on most nights and really what you saw was your typical college kid in his first season realizing he's playing with men and not kids anymore. He got first star in tonights ahl game and is really starting to come into his own. His talent analysis has him listed as:

Colborne is expected to play another season at the AHL level as he continues to mature as a pro player. Expectations are for him to compete for a full-time spot in 2012-13. He’s likely to see spot duty this season as injuries arise.

Projection: Top-six, offensive forward with size.

A top 6 center with size is something the leafs have been dieing for years now but thankfully they've left him to develop in the minors. I really don't know if you've watched him at all this year because his corner play and agressiveness has really gotten better. What you saw back in providence was a first timer.

[ssags11]

He's quite the opposite on most nights and really what you saw was your typical college kid in his first season realizing he's playing with men and not kids anymore. He got first start in tonights ahl game and is really starting to come into his own. His talent analysis has him listed as:



A top 6 center with size is something the leafs have been dieing for years now but thankfully they've left him to develop in the minors. I really don't know if you've watched him at all this year because his corner play and agressiveness has really gotten better. What you saw back in providence was a first timer.

Well that's encouraging. And yeah, that's exactly what the Leafs need. Personally, I want a good playoff Leaf team again. As much as I hate the Scabs, Rags and Laffs, I fundamentally root for the O6. I think when the O6 is doing well than the NHL is doing well. And the NHL needs it's biggest fan based team to do well again. So, if Colborne makes that happen, than I am all for it.

No, I haven't watched any Marlie games, so I haven't seen him play in quite a while. He never made the big club, so all I watched was a few mini-B games.

BTW I don't really hate the Leafs like I do the Scabs and Rags. It is a franchise I much respect with some of my favorite players that played there.

[dave]

At the end of the day, the Leafs are no better today than they were when Burke took over ... and an easy argument could be made that they're worst. Tyler Seguin is in Boston. The very franchise player Toronto needs.
I give Burke the Phaneuf trade ... he won that easily, but is Phaneuf a $6.5M franchise defenceman? No.

Burke is the Don Cherry of the current NHL. Rather than embrace the Detroit model of speed, skill and seeking out Euro talent in lower rounds, he's still about pugnaciousness or what-not. Those days are over.

[ssags11]

At the end of the day, the Leafs are no better today than they were when Burke took over ... and an easy argument could be made that they're worst. Tyler Seguin is in Boston. The very franchise player Toronto needs.
I give Burke the Phaneuf trade ... he won that easily, but is Phaneuf a $6.5M franchise defenceman? No.

Burke is the Don Cherry of the current NHL. Rather than embrace the Detroit model of speed, skill and seeking out Euro talent in lower rounds, he's still about pugnaciousness or what-not. Those days are over.

Not too sure I agree with that. The Leafs are better than they were and they have much better prospects than they did. The Leafs are close to a breakout.

Also, how does the "Detroit" model explain the Bruins, Kings, Blackhawks and to a lesser extent the Rangers success? I look at the Canadiens and see they are going the "Detroit" route and not having much success with it. The Habs can be pushed around and that is never a good thing in the playoffs. We saw what happened to the Canucks when you play too soft, and even Detroit is falling as they no longer have the grit they used to have like McCarty, Shannahan, Glichrist, LePointe, Draper, Chelios, Holstrom and have become an all skill team.