Brian Burke Speaks His Mind on Heatley

Once again Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke has shown no hesitancy in speaking his mind.

Burke, who over the years has also been the general manager with the Hartford Whalers, Vancouver Canucks, and the Anaheim Ducks recently gave his blunt opinion regarding Ottawa Senators scoring forward Dany Heatley who made public last week his wishes to be traded.

“For a player to pop off and say he wants out or leak it (to the media), in my mind you are now no longer interested in your team,” said Burke, who in 2007 won a Stanley Cup with Anaheim. "If you’ve handicapped them, you’ve handcuffed your GM.”  

Senators General Manager Bryan Murray admits that this trade request was a shock, especially since Heatley always had great things to say in the past about Ottawa, and just finished year one of a six year, $45 million contract extension.

Last week when the 28 year-old went public, he elaborated that he was not satisfied with his current role with the team and apparently doesn’t have the greatest relationship with coach Cory Clouston. During a radio interview with NHL Live on Wednesday Burke, who has vowed to be active with his Leafs’ roster this summer, stated that he didn’t like the manner in which the two-time 50 goal scorer went public with his trade request.

Even though Burke’s team needs scoring, he has vowed that Heatley, who only had 39 goals last year, wouldn’t be wearing a Leaf sweater next fall.

“He’s a good player but I have certain guidelines on how players ask for trades,” Burke said. “When you have players come ask you for a trade, I tell the players ‘don’t finish that sentence’, because once you ask, I’m going to move you. If a player wants out you're darn right I’m going to move you. My second rule is if I hear about this, you’re not going anywhere.” 

Burke also criticized Heatley by saying that when you are a member of an organization then you owe them the courtesy of not going public so that the organization can in fact get the maximum amount of value for your services.