Lunch with Brian Burke and the winds of change

Trades are on the horizon. The status quo is not an option. Change is coming.

This is what Brian Burke tells me when we meet for lunch on Tuesday.

It's high noon and we are sitting inside e11even, the swish new bistro on York Street in Maple Leaf Square. The place is hopping merrily with a lunch crowd of Bay Street power brokers and MLSE suits.

But the mood at our table, as you might imagine, is far from festive.

This lunch date was booked last week, prior to the team's latest losing skid. Since the universe has a keen sense of irony, Burke arrives just as Coldplay's "Don't Panic" is playing. He shakes my hand and looks more than a little drained.

"How are you feeling?" I ask.

"Horseshit," he replies.

Burke is not sleeping these days, something I've heard from a few people. His team is not performing the way he expected. It's been a season full of, well, equine excrement.

And so on behalf of Leaf fans everywhere, your humble emissary starts asking questions.

What has gone wrong? What are the objectives of management at this point? What can we expect in the new year? Can this team turn things around without an intervention? Or to paraphrase Chris Martin, why should we not panic?

"I think this group has established to my satisfaction that we're not going to come out of this without some outside help," concedes Burke. "We're not looking at a coaching change. So we have to see if we can make a player personnel change.

"We're at a critical point of the schedule where most of the games are against Eastern conference teams. We need some regulation wins if we're going to get back in there. And we haven't seen the progress that we'd like to see. So we're looking to be active again as soon as we come out of the trade freeze."

Despite my begging, he refuses to get into specifics. But he is working the phones. He knows change is needed. He is searching for size and scoring punch.

"We need a big forward," Burke says, as a couple of suits stroll past and nod hello. "Everyone points to the center position. But I think if we had a Top 6 forward with size, center or wing, it would help us. Right now we're not getting to enough loose pucks in front of the net. We're not creating enough traffic in front of the net. So that to me is our biggest need."

But why is this team still struggling after it was blown-up?

"Without pointing a finger at any one player, we're not scoring goals like I thought we could," says Burke. "We're not keeping them out of our net like I thought we could. That's a bad combination.

"Special teams haven't been what we hoped they would. But I don't think it's a multi-system breakdown every night. I think we are playing 50 to 54 minutes of good hockey every night. But that's not good enough...

"I liked our game in Calgary except for three minutes. I liked our game in Vancouver except for four minutes. I liked our game (Monday night) except for the first two minutes."

Since he mentions special teams, I ask about the chants of "Fire Wilson" that continue to erupt inside Leafs Nation. Has the coach lost the room?

"We outshot our opponent by 2 to 1 (Monday)," says Burke. "We had the puck all night after the first two minutes. We outplayed them badly. We out-chanced them badly. It's clear the players have not quit on the coach. We are not even contemplating, considering or discussing a coaching change at this point.

There is a tendency in all markets, Burke adds, to blame the coach when a team is struggling. But that tendency is taken to the next level in Toronto. Wilson can also be his own worst enemy at times.

"I think Ron brushes some people the wrong way with his mannerisms when in fact he's a great guy and a great teacher and a great coach," says Burke. "But I think his mannerisms with the media – which, by the way, have been developed over a very frustrating period of time – have led some people to turn on Ron unfairly.

"That doesn't change my thinking. We are not looking at a coaching change."

So Burke is standing behind his coach. And he is looking to make some trades, sooner rather than later. In fact, there could be a number of trades. Does this mean he still believes the team can make the playoffs?

"The goal for the season was the playoffs, it is the playoffs," Burke says. "But we are rebuilding. It's not a classic rebuild. I don't think in a cap system, you have to finish last or dead last for four or five years...

"I think we've added assets that will enable us to compete without going through that cycle. Now, obviously, it hasn't borne fruit yet. So it's a rebuild in the sense that we are one of youngest teams in the league but it's not a classic rebuild where you try to finish bottom five and draft patiently."

This rebuilding model, he notes, has no precedent. There are no blueprints. What Burke is trying to do is remain competitive in the short-term while not sacrificing long-range planning.

"We're trying to do it on the fly. It's a totally different model than anyone else has followed. I still believe it will work. It's just not working right now."

But how do you rebuild without draft picks? Does he have any regrets?

"People say the Kessel deal cost more than we thought it would and it did. I didn't think we would finish 29th last year. We may have a low finish again this year. But I got the player I wanted and I still believe in him.

"You look at how well he has played in the last five games and what he can do without a true center with him. He's still generating offence and working hard making good defensive plays. So no regrets, other than our record."

Later on, as we're eating, I show him some of the comments you guys have left recently. And I ask if he has a message for us.

"The message is, 'I'm as frustrated as you are.' It's a work in progress. We're not there yet."

What about the fans who are leaving? What about the fans who are throwing waffles? What about the fans who say there is no light at the end of the tunnel Brian Burke is rebuilding?

"I think hockey fans in this market are very sophisticated," he says. "If that's what they've concluded, then I have to live with that. I'm not going to tell people how to think. But that's certainly not what I am hearing...

"I think people see a defence with an average age of 23. I think they see the goaltending prospects in the system. I think they do see a light at the end of the tunnel. And the tunnel does not run from here to Spain. It's a manageable wait."

 

 

Comments

[Account Deleted]

I'm not feelin' the love here.

VM Replies: Uh oh. Merry Christmas?

[waffles2010]

I love this blog almost as much as I love waffles. Waffles are also funny when adorning the ice while a professional hockey team is playing. Burkie, however is not amused by the waffles. I also love Burkie, hope he figures this thing out soon. Vinay, what did Burkie say when you mentioned waffles?. Did he elaborate or scowl at you as I imagine he did? love, love, love is all you need

VM Replies: He scowled. I tried not to laugh. But then I did. And then he scowled and said something I can't repeat in a family newspaper.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

You're right Tim (don't worry I hear Mr. Scrooge is coming down to your house tomorrow night with the Christmas goose!); it's Christmas Eve-Eve everyone... lets all gather around and sing our beloved traditional holiday song: (cue n'sync track) "Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!"

...For all my fellow be'leafers, I will probably frequent the blog much less seeing that this is my last day of work until after New Years (yes, you got me, most of my posts on here coming during the time at work I sit behind a computer marinating into a fat, poor-postured, zombie), so once again I say Merry Christmas and good night! Here's to a better Leaf record in 2011!

VM Replies: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, sir.

[waffles2010]

Vinay, nothing is harder than trying to stifle a laugh when you need to. I assume that your continued amusement at the waffles was not taken well. The really funny thing is that the last guy got into the game with the waffles, and the box they came in. The last game I went to, they spent 5 minutes looking in my girlfriends tiny purse. Her lipstick, compact everything was investigated. But a great big box of breakfast food, go ahead sir enjoy the game. On a non waffle related topic, Merry Christmas everyone, I wish you all a safe and happy holiday this year.

VM Replies: All the best to you. Yes, the sheer absurdity of Wafflegate made me laugh. Look at the expressions in this photo: http://media.thestar.topscms.com/images/74/5b/0ccacdfb4e369480f2226e3729b0.jpeg

[Hoofheartz]

No love for Ostrich. Have you read some of the comments he has posted on other stories. It's like he thrives on negative feedback and like Nikki, if you disagree with him you're not worthy of him or of being a Leaf fan.

[HA HA]

RE: the Waffle photo... Is that Nik there in the checkered shirt scolding the waffle thrower? I kid, I kid.

[Ostrich_lover]

I can catagorically state on the soul of Jesus, that I am not Nik Kulemin. Honest Mats Sundin would never hear a discouraging word from me, and I think that VM can confirm this. As for Phaneuf being the best, ok obviusly he isnt right now. However, all the guys mentioned ahead of him - outside the big three- have only been really dominant for about 1-2 years. Phaneuf clearly got the Maccabe treatment in Calgary (which means that your play is not indicitive of how fans treat you.) In Toronto he has unfairly been the target of critisism -but you notice, not from analysts, more so from fans. The team cant score, but if they could, Phaneuf would be nearly a ppg. Perhaps Phaneuf is the most underrated player in the league. Anyways, on a pure talent level alone, Phaneuf is amazing and clearly one of the best. All I can say to the haters is just wait, Burke has put together the team with the most raw potential in the nhl.

VM Replies: I started to read this comment while standing in line at Toys R Us. The first sentence nearly made me choke on my gum. If it clears up any confusion, I can confirm that Ostrich_lover and Nik are different people. Or at least, they have different IP addresses.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hoof are you calling Ostrich out? Now now, it's Christmas time.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE. I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY FILLED WITH LAUGHTER, LOVE AND JOY!!!!

VM Replies: Merry Christmas to you, Bomber.

[bleeding]

Tale of a terrible coach

year before Wilson-
2007-2008 Toronto Maple Leafs 82 36 35 11 231 260 83

The Wilson years-
GP W L T GF-GA pts
2008-2009 82 34-35-13-250-293- 81pts
2009-2010 82 30-38-14-214-263-74pts
2010-now- 33-12-17-4-75-102-28pts----> projected 82-29-42-10-186-253-68pts

The Toronto maple Leafs have declined 18% in winning category. The Leafs have dropped 25% on scoring that was mediocre at best. And most importantly the Team has dropped 20% in points. However, boys and girls the team has improved a whopping 2.5 % in goals allowed.

2010-present Leafs pp-ranked 16th and pk is ranked 29th place.

I got a question for you all. How can man's performance decline 20-25% and still have a job?
I do understand the Leafs are not the most talented team. However, shouldn't a coach at least improve the team on some stats and not to decline in every category by 20-25%?

[palbo]

Actually, the tunnel DOES run from here to Spain. That will become evident. He can't possibly successfully rebuild the team the way he's doing it. He'll just keep going in circles unless he changes his strategy.

[David]

90% of you miss the point, sorry to say. Nobody can evaluate the Kessel deal for another 3 years at least. Bossy and Brett Hull would have been average players without a great set up guy. The Leafs play pretty well except for defence because their defence is weak, especally the 2 boat anchors, Komisarek and Beuchemann, who Burke has to get rid of despite the money spent. They will have to trade Giguere and Kaberle for at least 2nd round picks, get their 12th pick, find a pretty good FA forward, and maybe find an older good D man, and if Burke can do these things there may be some hope

[jake]

If Burke thinks that this blueprint is good he must be a real dreamer . Kessel is a lousy excuse for a sniper and his defence is non existent . So he will keep Wilson for awhile longer only because after the coach the GM becomes the goat .
At least he will be making some trades for real 1st line talent hopefully he won't be trading the guys that are producing . There is not a whole lot he has left to offer in a trade that any GM would want , so now the trades he made last season where he generously gave up more players and talent than he received will come back to haunt him .
He alone is the cause of the Leafs misfortunes because of these poor trade results so excuse me if I am a little skeptical about his latest plan .You know the one where he gets the players that the team actually needs .

[jake]

Phaneuf is a loser and always will be he can't hit the net with his so called canon of a shot . He does more givaways than Santa and he spends half the shift headhunting for the big hits . I have no idea what brainiac named him captain when all he is is a loudmouthed no talent bully . You can all tell me how good he used to be or what he brings to the team besides a lack of production .
Its all the same BS he figures he can just throw some weight around and intimidate players but by NHL standards he ain't so tough . The thing is he is the same player Calgary wanted to get rid of because he was more of a problem than an asset .