Heard on Episode 3.36 of AFITC
So does anybody really think the Brian Burke to Toronto scenario is over and done with? It seemed that way two weeks ago when Burke himself came out and said he will be serving out the duration of his contract as general manager of the Anaheim Ducks. But even after that statement, the rumors just won’t seem to go away.It seems logical that from a personal standpoint Burke would welcome a move to Toronto to take over the Maple Leafs. He has children currently living in Boston, a long trek from Anaheim but far less daunting from Toronto. Of course, Burke’s wife, who works occasionally as a broadcaster in Vancouver would likely be able to find employment in Toronto while being closer to husband.
When stories surfaced last week about the Leafs interest in former Canucks GM Dave Nonis, it only added more fuel to the Burke speculation. With Burke being denied permission to get out of his contract, Nonis, a friend of Burke's and former right hand man in Vancouver, could keep the GM seat warm for a year until Burke’s contract with the Ducks runs out, at which time Burke could come in to take over the hockey operations department of the Maple Leafs and rework the front office as he sees fit.
However at this point, the Maple Leaf Board of Governors insistence that they are not meddling in the process of hockey decisions seems somewhat hard to believe, especially after the curious timing of the Paul Maurice firing and Richard Peddie’s lip syncing of Cliff Fletcher’s introduction speech back in January. The Leafs will never win if Peddie et al. continue to play armchair general manager. The good news for Leaf fans is that if Brian Burke does eventually take the Leaf general managers position, this meddling from upper management will have come to an end. And if it hasn’t, don’t expect Burke to be around too long.
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2 months ago
Eight Belle's is dead...Toronto fans need to let the dead horse that is Brian Burke heading north die. He's in So Cal for at least another year. Talk about something with substance that everyone has not already heard...like Jason Blake playing 82 games with cancer? now thats interesting....
2 months ago
My favourite part of this rumour is that the Leafs are thinking about waiting another year, presumably with Fletcher at the helm, in order to get Burke when his contract is done.
We all know fixing the Leafs is not going to be a quick process but I don't think another year with a temp GM is the right way to go, especially one like Fletcher.
But hey, it's not my team.
2 months ago
Actually Spencer, The Leafs are thinking of bringing Nonis in to GM this season, and then Burke next. Nonis would then take a management job working alongside Burke, much like they did in Vancouver.
Still, I don't like the idea. if Burke wants to leave for Toronto like everyone says he does, then he should tell the Ducks owners. After all, if I owned a hockey team, no matter how good my GM was, if I knew he didn't want to be there I wouldn't keep him around.
Again, I don't like the idea. If Burke isn't coming, he isn't coming. Move on. He is a great GM, but there are plenty of other managers out there who could do a great job with this team, their names have been mentioned numerous times in discussions.
Also, if Burke is going to wait out his deal and come to the Leafs next season, this could get very messy. If what everyone is saying about him wanting to be in Toronto is true, then its public knowledge. Therefore the league would watch the Leafs, and Burke like hawks. I would hate to see either parties botch something along the way, be accused of tampering, and be docked their 1st round pick, which, realistically, could be a chance to grab John Tavares.
2 months ago
Nice article, Dave, but I still disagree 100% with you...I do not think there is any reason Burkie would come to Toronto...unfortunately
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