Toronto Maple Leafs' Brian Burke: The Worst GM in the NHL?

Is this the truth?

To many people that follow hockey, this seems to be the common thought, that Brian Burke is a bonehead. I've read it all, and so have most of you, how this GM is a joke.

He is outspoken, arrogant, harsh, short tempered, annoying, gutsy and loud. He is on the leading sports websites and television on almost a daily basis. He makes bold predictions, he says whatever pops in his head, and he is abrasive with the media.

He also runs the most profitable and notorious franchise in the NHL.

So who is Brian Burke?

Is he the GM who inherited a good team in Vancouver and was fortunate enough to draft two of the game's best stars, the Sedins? Is he the same GM that landed in Anaheim and was basically given a Stanley Cup without investing in the team?

The answer, basically, is yes!

But is he a bad GM? Especially when it comes to the Leafs?

He took over a team that was in shambles. A team that has not made the playoffs since the lockout. He made promises to build this team into a contender. A tough, gritty, hard nosed team.

He shipped out the entire cast of the Muskoka 5, although Kaberle took a while to rid of. He has started to build the prospect pool. Signed guys like Colby Armstrong, Versteeg, Clarke McArther, Komi, Lebda.

Although some of his signings have been horrendous, some have worked out quite well. He made the awful Kessel trade but made up for it by Dealing Kaberle. He shipped out guys like Stajan, and Hagman, for Phaneuf and Aulie.

He also Dumped Beauchemin for Lupul and Gardnier, Toskola and Blake are gone. Giggy is off the books, and Reimer is now the No. 1. Bozak is clearly destined to a second/third line center, and The Monster is still questionable.

Then we get Liles for a second in this year's draft. Soon, possibly, we trade away Komi and Finger for picks or prospects.

I did forget to mention that we still have Shenn, Kadri, Blacker, McKegg, etc. Looks as if this GM can hold on to our picks like he said he would.

So in three years, he turned this joke of a franchise into a team with hope. I'd say that isn't too bad.

Look around the league and tell me this. Which other GM in three years has changed a franchise around this much?

Before you mention Pitts, Wash or Chicago, keep in mind they had multiple early first round selections. Detroit and Vancouver have been strong for many years. No team has overhauled this much in a few seasons.

People outside of Leaf land love to hate the Leafs. I can't say I blame them. The Leafs are all over television, radio, and newsprint. We are a proud group and stay loyal to our team, even in the worst of times.

It tends to be these clowns, the haters, making all the same remarks. "Great trade for Kessel," "Plan the parade," or, "When was the last time the Leafs made the playoffs?"

To this I say, shut your hole already!

The jokes are old, the shots at Burke are annoying and the material being used is lacking original thought.

I'll take Burke any day of the week. Loud mouth and all. He is building something we havn't seen in a long time. An NHL team.

We will get our first line center Leaf fans. We will make the playoffs this year. We will have something to cheer about for a change.

And, the rest of the Leaf haters will have to find new material.

To anyone who thinks Burke is a joke, a clown, or a horrible GM, give your head a shake. We all know you are impressed by what this man has done. Except the Komi signing....

End rant.