Toronto Apologising to Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke for Prior Doubt

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke should be smiling after he pulled the trigger on two huge deals today, as should all Toronto fans.

During all the hubbub, all I was hearing was praise from the Toronto media and fans alike for Burke's moves.

If you haven’t heard, the Leafs traded Niklas Hagman, Ian White, Matt Stajan, and Jamal Mayers to Calgary for Dion Phaneuf, Fredrik Sjostrom, and Keith Aulie.

They also traded Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake to Anaheim for J.S. Giguere.

Last night I was at the Air Canada Centre (ACC) for the game against Vancouver in which the Leafs blew a first period 3-0 lead, eventually losing 5-3.

The ACC was quiet even with a three nothing lead, which I was dumbfounded by. But obviously the crowd knew that against a team like Vancouver no lead was safe, and it wasn’t.

There were seemingly more Vancouver fans in attendance than Toronto fans and there were no cheers for the home team. It was pathetic at best, and the crowd deserved the loss more than the players.

I will be at the ACC for the game on Tuesday, when the new-look Toronto Maple Leafs host the New Jersey Devils and Martin Brodeur.

I am sure the crowd will be alive and loud when Dion Phaneuf, Fredrick Sjostrom, and J.S. Giguere set foot on the ice for the first time wearing the blue and white at the ACC.

Much of the applause should be for Burke getting these players in place for the future. He never said anything would happen immediately, but he is slowly putting pieces into place.

In fact, I expect Toronto to be downright insane as excitement rips through Leafs Nation with speculation as to what Burke is planning next, and which young players will be brought up to fill the holes of the recently departed.

With the backend seemingly sewn up, the young forward lines will have a little more leeway for mistakes as they grow and learn the NHL system.

Up front Christian Hanson, Viktor Stalberg, and possibly Andre Deveaux and Daryl Boyce may get some well deserved time up with the big club in the very near future.

On the backend, which is fairly packed, I would expect a few more moves from Burke regarding blue liners for a forward, perhaps making room for a big home town kid and one of my favourites Marlies, Phil Oreskovic.

Next year, if not the year after, we have Nazem Kadri and Jerry D’Amigo’s skills to look forward to, flashing across the ice at the ACC and bulging the vistors twine.

All in all, Leafs Nation must be pretty happy with Burke’s work, even though there are still grumblings over how much he gave up for Phil Kessel.

Kessel is a legit first line guy. Phaneuf along with Thomas Kaberle are No. 1 defenseman and the young guys are in the fold.

Burke truly has given Toronto legitimate hope for the future and dare I say, a shot at the playoffs next year. And in a couple years (yes I dare), a Stanley Cup contending team for the first time in almost two decades!

Good job Mr. Burke; Toronto was wrong about you!

Can you get us a coach now?