Toronto Maple Leafs: The Brian Burke Debate

 It was reported today that Brian Burke will not be leaving Anaheim this off-season and will instead complete the final year of his contract with the Ducks. This puts to rest any speculation that Burke would be uprooting his family and moving east in 2008. However, I do not believe it will quell the media's supposition that Burke will abandon his post after this season if the Leafs job is still available.

 Seeing as Burke cannot come out and directly speak to his interest in Toronto's vacany , all Brian needs to do is tell the media that he's not interested in talking extension until the end of the 2008-09 season. By doing so, he'd be sending clear signals to the rest of the league that he's interested in other offers.

 Meanwhile, Toronto has the option of allowing Cliff Fletcher to continue running the team for a full season. If MLSE (Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment) are serious about luring Burke out of La-la-land, by leaving the position open they are sending their own clear signals without needing permission from Ducks ownership.

 That said, I'm not sure that Burke is the be-all end-all solution for the Leafs. He does have the experience, demeanor and Cup ring which make him an attractive option. But for all that must be done to turn the flailing Leafs franchise around, I believe there are at least a few other candidates to consider before essentially putting the 2008-09 season on auto-pilot.

 Again, Burke is exactly the type of no nonsense GM that Leafs fans have missed since Pat Quinn was replaced as GM. Namely, a GM that won't take any guff from media, fans or the players themselves. I have to ask any Leafs fan who's getting worked up about the Fabian Brunnstrom "sweepstakes", if they think that a GM like Burke would ever sign an undrafted player based on the players demand for top-6 minutes? I also have to think that Burke would be the last GM in the league to consider using an RFA offer sheet to add some young talent to the line-up. This last point is something I firmly believe the Leafs should consider if they plan to fast track the turnaround of this team.

 As for other candidates, we've all heard the list. David Poile (Nashville), Scotty Bowman, Ken Holland or Jim Nill (Detroit), Doug Armstrong (former Dallas GM), Jim Rutherford (Carolina), John Muckler (former Ottawa GM) and Colin Campbell (VP of NHL Hockey Operations). Each of these potential candidates come with their own set of strengths and question marks. Only Bowman or Holland would have the same name recognition as a Brian Burke, but I think guys like Poile or Armstrong have the wits and the smarts to help turn the Leafs around in the short-term. It's my opinion that Leafs fans will know before the NHL entry draft which direction Leafs ownership is heading.