With Brian Burke's Swoop of the Pen, Toronto Maple Leafs Will Changes Forever

Think the title of this article is an overstatement? Think again!

With one stroke of his pen, either tonight or tomorrow, Brian Burke will change the course of this franchise forever, and hopefully begin to put an end to a dark chapter in the club's history.

He hasn't even arrived yet, and even still, his presence is being felt throughout the organization.

Last night's effort against the Senators was no coincidence. 

While the coaching staff no question reminded the players constantly to finish checks and battle every shift, there is no doubt there was some incentives to perform in front of the new boss, who may, or may not have been watching from his home in Boston.

Players are uncertain whether or not they will be on the team in the coming weeks, or months. Front office staff are trying to determine whether or not they belong under the new regime. Members of the media are trying to figure out how they are going to able to deal with the hard-ass GM who won't back down from any question.

The man's name isn't even painted in his parking spot, and already, an impact has been made.

So, what exactly is Burke's plan?

We could find out what the basis of Burke's plan is tomorrow, when it is likely that a press conference will be held to introduce Burke before the start of the Leafs and Flyers game.

Since guiding the mostly Canadian laden Ducks to the Stanley Cup a few years ago, Burke has gotten a reputation for being anti-Euro. However, he says that is not the case, and points to his drafting of the Sedin twins, and naming Markus Naslund captain of the Canucks.

The one thing we do know as of right now, is that Burke is more than up for the challenge, of being the first GM in over 40 years to bring the Maple Leafs to the Stanley Cup once again.

There is, however, a lot of work to be done between now and then.