Guest Post: The undeniable genius of Brian Burke

 

Memo To Leafs Nation: Stop Living In The Eternal Present 

BY JIMMY "OSTRICH LOVER" TANNER

 

Fire Burke!
Fire Wilson!
Burke is an idiot!
Wilson is a fool!

I read a lot of hockey articles on the Internet – probably too many – and that is all I ever seem to hear. I don't like to admit it publicly but I often comment on these articles under the moniker "Ostrich Lover" and I too am often – make that always – called an idiot for my optimistic outlook on the job Brian Burke is doing to rebuild the Leafs.

Like Burke, the Ostrich Lover is just misunderstood; but that does not make him any less right.

True, the Leafs appear well on their way to making it a minimum of eight calendar years before the next playoff game will be played in Toronto. In the seven years so far, the Leafs have not managed to get a single Top 3 draft selection and have spent most of this time hovering above the lottery and below the playoffs. This is causing a lot fan angst and understandably so.

I think, however, Burke is taking the heat, not for what he has failed to do, but for Toronto's 43 years and counting without a Stanley Cup.

Burke does not deserve to be fired, or in my opinion, even criticized. It is my contention that he should be praised. The Leafs boast a core group of young players that should excite fans in this city. We now have an opportunity to watch this core group grow as individuals and blossom into a team that will be competitive for years.

So to properly assess this team, you must forget the past, leave four decades of baggage at the door and simply look forward. Instead of the Leafs, let's pretend we are gathered here to discuss the Thrashers or Blue Jackets. Let's imagine this same team, same trades and same management group – just without 43 years of abject failure.

Such an objective examination of this Leafs team reveals a lot of young talent and at least a half dozen players with superstar potential.

Let's look at Burke with an open mind and maybe I can convince you he is actually doing a stellar job. This is going to require you to put aside your groupthink mentality, your preconceived notions and your disappointment in the past.

Let's see if we can get away from the Achilles' heel of hockey coverage, which is an impulse to live in the eternal present. This impulse is exactly what prevents us from seeing the Leafs as a future contender.

Living in the eternal present is also why fans and writers seem to forget the most important thing about players such as Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf: These are kids with a lot of upside potential, not veterans in the twilight of their careers.

Keep an open mind and let's see if Burke is in fact the saviour we thought he was going to be – as four other people and I still believe.

Let's get started.

First, at no time in recent memory, have the Leafs ever possessed such a core group of young players with such high ceilings: Phil Kessel, Luke Schenn, Dion Phaneuf, Keith Aulie, Jussi Rynnas, Jonas Gustavsson, James Reimer, Nazem Kadri, Carl Gunnarsson, Nikolai Kulemin, Mikhail Grabovski, Kris Versteeg and Tyler Bozak.  

We, the fans, have a chance to watch some of these guys mature before our eyes as they hopefully become stars. I think a lot of fans either don't know or they forget that the prime of a professional athlete begins around the age of 27. Bozak, for example, is following a similar career trajectory as Martin St Louis – fast, defensively responsible, smallish, creative and undrafted.

The presence of Kessel, Kadri, Phaneuf, Schenn – and some of the best goaltending prospects in hockey – should be enough reason for optimism and if we were really talking about the Blue Jackets and not the Leafs, it certainly would be.

The major criticism of Burke begins and ends with the Phil Kessel trade, which has been debated to the point of insanity. I wish I could avoid talking about it. I really do.  But if the popularity of the movie Transformers taught us anything, it is this: Just because a majority believes something does not make it true.

Did Burke overpay for Kessel? No. Was this a bad trade? No.

Consider:

1. Kessel is 23 years old and has better stats than Alexander Semin, Daniel Sedin, Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg had at the same age.

2. There is not a legitimate scout or commentator who does not think Kessel could potentially score 50 goals with a true playmaking center. Kessel may also be the most exciting skill player I have seen on the Leafs since I started watching in the 80s – this includes both Jamie Macoun and his formidable mustache.  

3. Playing with Bozak and Matt Stajan, and while coming off a major injury, Kessel scored at nearly a 40-goal pace last season. 

4. Kessel was the 5th overall selection in 2006 – a very deep draft (look it up). The two first round picks traded for him were in relatively weak draft years.  Draft picks might not work out – but Kessel already has. People say he is not a franchise player – but he might be. Remember: Daniel Sedin wasn't a franchise player at 23, either.

Finally, without even touching on the complete heisting that was the Phaneuf trade, the main reason Burke should be cheered and not jeered is for sticking to his guns.

The system he and Ron Wilson implemented is designed to let the players learn and perfect it so that when the finished team – Burke himself says we are yet to see it – takes to the ice, it will play a high-octane, hard-forechecking game. Burke has sacrificed some wins in the eternal present for winning in the future. But he is also not boring us with defensive hockey while we wait, something else worthy of praise.

Faced with giving Boston another high pick this season – and under non-stop pressure from all corners of Leafs Nation – Burke could have blinked and traded the blank cheque that is Luke Schenn to just about any team in hockey for just about anything he wanted (within reason). That he has refused to make this deal, or other similarly hasty moves, shows incredible courage and commitment to his vision.

In conclusion, Burke is an extremely intelligent man. He has repeatedly resisted the urge to panic. He obviously sees something in his roster the fans and media – with their wagging fingers and groupthink mentality – have missed.

His actions thus far are not consistent with a man who only wants to squeak into the playoffs, an oft repeated and incorrect accusation. His actions do not reflect those of a man who has "sacrificed the future."

Burke entered this season with a young and inexperienced team. He has a plan and a strategy. He has faith in the young core of players he has already assembled. And he has faith he can add the finishing pieces to finally bring an end to the 43 years and counting.

In short: Brian Burke believes in what he is doing. Given his track record, you should too.

 

Aspiring hockey writer Jimmy Tanner is a student at Laurentian University. Ostrich Lover is a prisoner inside Jimmy's mind. They both live with Mr. Tanner's wife and their two children in Barrie.

 

This piece was pre-approved by hoofheartz. A Leafs Fan Blogs welcomes story pitches and ideas for guest posts. Email: vmenon@thestar.ca

 

MAIN PHOTO: RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR

Comments

[Simon]

One complaint: Why does it have to be so long? I'll have to get to it later seeing as how Hockey + Beer + No Sleep - Water = Something Horrible.

[waffles2010]

Wow Vinay, this post makes me long for the good old days. In fact I am going to go and re-live them now. I will re-read the Frank McKenna post until you post a new entry on A Leaf Fan Blogs.
It did make me wonder though, how hard is it to live every day with a bird trapped inside your head? Must be hard. " Ostrich Lover is a prisoner inside his Jimmy's mind" Insert joke here. I can't its to easy.
Vinay please, I am begging you now. Please sir, no more guest posts. I can't bear any more of this torture. I cry uncle. I give. No mas.

[Randy]

You said it.....I've always said the losing ways in Leaf Nation have come about largely due to the ongoing pressure for immediate results. Burke is not the type of guy to mortgage the Leafs' future just to be able to squeak into the playoffs. He's showing the requisite patience and we as fans should too.

[waffles2010]

Randy, I will save you some time. Here is a synopsis of todays post. I love Burke, Burke is great. The Leafs have potential to be better. The end.
My LottoMax ticket also has potential. It would likely not be prudent of me to spend the $50 million this afternoon. As what I may have, differs greatly from reality. Wow, I think I just proved that the Maple Leafs are the same as the lottery. Very little chance of winning. Gotta laugh Leaf fans, what else can we do?

[waffles2010]

Sorry Vinay, Simon asked for the summary, not Randy. My bad. It is past 11am, and the bars are open.

[JP]

great article Jimmy I agree with you Burke is an excellent GM and results will come leafnation is worried and scared because Burke is leading us into uncharted territory forget the knee jerk reactions patience builds good teams I have great faith in Burke and Wilson too he has a great edge and humour I bet the players love it

[We BeLeaf]

Thanks for your post Jimmy. I think you touched on a few points that would have otherwise not be recognized by the masses. I think that you will find that no matter how you good you perceive the Leafs to be at this time with your comparisons, success (or lack of) will usually be the benchmark by how they are judged.

Cheers!

[Simon]

Thanks waffles, that helps a lot. Make sure to raise a glass to the Leafs.

[Thunder Blood]

First of all, I can't believe Ostrich Lover would want people to know who he really is. His opinions are so off base, they stopped being funny long ago. As such, I've stopped reading his repetitive non sense. His writings remind me of totally biased little child. Logic, forget that. OL, writes not about facts, rather he writes what he feels should or might happen based on fantasies in his disturbed mind. I can't believe this joker thinks any thing he has to say is worth the time to read it. This dude has delusions of grandeur. The star, or anyone else, don't play to this guy's ego, he already thinks he NHL GM grade. Nothing could be further from the truth. He's nonsensical, boring, extremely biased, insulting to other posters... If I never hear from OL again, it will be too soon..

[John Sopinka]

Ostrich Lover: the reason people call you an idiot on the forums is because you are one.

[R from Toronto]

Here's something for you guys to chew on. Sometimes it's not about the moves you make, it's about the ones you don't make. In Burke's case, thank the holy waffle that he didn't make the trade for Savard last summer or we'd be in real trouble.

[pinot grigio]

.....and now we can all sing Kumbaya

[joel]

"The Leafs boast a core group of young players that should excite fans in this city. We now have an opportunity to watch this core group grow as individuals and blossom into a team that will be competitive for years."

To quote Krusty the Klown, "You sir, are an idiot."

[Nik Culoman]

@Waffle, You constant negativity and no real faith in this team makes one believe you have moved on from this team. If you have, and if you feel this team is going nowhere..I would hope that when things turn around and the Leafs are winning again and are competitive, you will remain on the sidelines.....(because we would hate to call you a bandwagon fan)

Because anyone can be a "fan" in the good times...from 93-05 we saw some great hockey, and we ignored that while the Leafs were playing deep into the playoffs, some teams like Pittsburgh, Washington, Chicago were struggling at times during those years.

Pittsburgh almost lost their team, what saved them was having a terrible year and drafting Crosby......The Leafs because of their relative success were always trying patch work to win the cup....We traded away picks, prospects and our future for runs at the cup....

Where did that leave this team?? Well in the mess that BB inherited when he arrived, Finally someone has stepped out of the group think mentality and highlited some key points...

Highly touted prospects are in the system: Aulie, Schenn, Bozak, Kessel, McKeeg, Nicholls, Rynnas, Scrivens, The Monster, Kadri, D'Amigo...I could go..

BB has made some steal of trades.....I wonder if Calgary wishes they could undo that trade.......

I believe that the best is yet to come with this team.....Every loss will make future wins feel that much more special and much more enjoyable...

[The J]

The real truth in the Kessel trade will not be determined for many years. It all comes down to who Seguin turns out to be. If he is a star, then this trade is a failure. If he is about the same as Kessel, then this trade is STILL a failure, because which would you rather have the older equivalent player or the younger one? For this trade to be a success either Kessel has to be really good or Seguin has to be really bad. That doen't even consider what comes of the other draft pick still to be decided.

[vgrab]

Wow!
Besides Clarke Macartur the rest of the moves by "genius" GM are borderline horrific. Blueline is the worst in the league (yes, those signings of Komi, Bouch, Lebda (!), and, of course, Phen trade). First line C Bozak would not get third line minutes on most of the teams, selfish turnover "all-star selected" machine - speaks by itself. Goalies - less then stellar, more unreliable. Did I miss something?

[Jeff]

Keep up the good work Jimmy! Forget the losers with a bias to the past and continue to look foward as you have done. We all work with potential every day,it seems to few see any potential with our Leafs, too bad. Perhaps they should join another forum, the Sens and Habs need your pessimism.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Ostrich Lover, I have said this before with your fellow optimist Nik, and I will say it again. I agree with your assessment of Burke and I do not want him gone. In fact I support him 100%. However you are wrong on 2 fronts

1)Let's see if we can get away from the Achilles' heel of hockey coverage, which is an impulse to live in the eternal present. This impulse is exactly what prevents us from seeing the Leafs as a future contender.

Brian Burke is living in the eternal present himself. He has said that he has built this team to contend for a playoff spot this year. He himself has said he expects this team, the team that currently has 19 wins to enter the challenge for the Stanley Cup. 1st place or 8th place, you have the same opportunity. There is no squeking in. You qualify, you challenge. Finish 9th and there is no opportunity. So when you suggest it is impulsive coverage you are incorrect. It is standing behind Brian Burke and believing in his plan.

2) This team is inexperienced. Sure these player are a young collection. However, this team has 3 former stanley cup champions, with each one making a significant contribution to their team. One player, the goalie, is a former conn Smythe winner.
This team has a rookie of the year and Norris trophy runner up and this team has a former 40 goal scorer. There are also some other veterans on this team that have been battle tested and should be able to contribute.

So while I totally agree with your assertion that the future looks bright, and that Brian Burke is the right man to turn the losing around, this is a team that is under acheiving in monumental fashion. Not just by my account, but by Brian Burke himself. The future is supposed to have begun on game one of this year, not next year.

This is what is most disappointing about this season. This is why so many are particularly jaded, that and there is this forum to express their frustration. This underacheivement is also why from now on, while I still am a devout leafs fan, and I think Brian Burke can be the person to change te Leafs to contenders, I WILL BELIEVE IT, WHEN I SEE IT.

[Stanislav the Sad Bureacrat]

I thought this was a great post. Pipe down, Ostrich Haters!

[Mitch (Georgetown)]

Great article.

I strongly agree that everyone (led by unintelligent media folk - see Krystal, Andrew) is overly pessimistic regarding the Leafs and Burke.

I personally think that Burke's only really bad move was signing Komaserak.

I was critical of Ron Wilson after an article was posted by a reader a few weeks ago, and I still believe he is mostly responsible for the Kessel criticism:
- the Leafs finished around the 9-11 spots in the East under Paul Maurice's tenure for three years or so (if memory serves)
- Burke came in two summers ago and IMPROVED that 9-11 roster
- Therefore, when Burke decided to trade Kessel for two first round picks, he likely made an informed estimation that those picks would fall somewhere in the 8th to 15th pick slots
- you can only evaluate a decision based on the information that was available at the time of the decision... Brian Burke couldn't predict that Wilson would take a team from 10th in the East to dead last

[w.morra]

i cannot believe anyone could be so naive as to the way mlse operates.........

[daler]

here here.
but then again...positives don't work in the toronto negative media market. problem is fans fall into that trap.enough on kessel. stop blaming him. he's not 31 years old and a fringe guy. he was 21 when he was acquired.
he is a mike gartner type player...30 goals each season.
nothing wrong with that at all. many player would love to score 30.
leaf fans would rather trade a 23 year old kessel and his 30 goals in hopes of getting a 23 year guy who could score 30 goals.
huh...what am i missing.

[waffles2010]

@Nik Culoman Hi Nik, we haven't talked in a while, I missed you too. I have been a fan in good times and in bad, for longer than you have probably been alive. I will always support my team, no matter what. I don't think Burke has improved this team very much. My evidence is in the standings.
I think that for some reason if we are not one hundred percent on board with moves the team makes, or your opinions on those moves, you immediately trot out the same tired old, you guys aren't real fans crap. Stop it. We are fans, you are a fan. I am allowed to disagree with you, and with management.
The fact that I do not live by the " It's always sunny in Leaf land ", theory that you do, does not discredit my opinions. The Leafs may be building a winner, the evidence suggests they are not.
Please sir, I implore you. If you are going to continue to engage in a discussion of our team, use some facts to support you position. By continuing to try to push the discussion to who the Leafs may become, instead of what they are is very redundant at this point in time.
Potential, is just that, potential. It will not help the team win games right now, and it may or may not help them win games in the future. If you look at the NHL standings right now, you will find the Leafs in a bottom five position. Your hero, and Ostrich Lovers as well, Burke, said that this team was a playoff team. As it was constructed. He was wrong.
So here we are, the season is over. We have the most expensive defense in the league. No first round pick, we are close to the worst team in the NHL. Next season will start with the same promises as this one did.
Just so you know, Calgary is happy that they shed Phaneufs salary. He was not in their top 4 on defense.

[w.morra]

The teachers pension fund will never allow a coach to be fired during the season, they are in business to make money not win stanley cups, and paying a coach to not coach cuts into the profits. As for comparing Tyler Bozak to Martin ST.Louis this just proves to me you know nothing about the game of hockey......I was once like you, but then I grew up and realized things are not the way they seem..........

[ta4ghoti]

Mr. Burke's reconstruction plans have demonstrably failed to inspire. But all that is forgivable if he would just own up, learn and change. What, for me, is not forgivable is his determined, blind pursuit of the wrong course (i.e., Wilson, Komasarik, Mitchell, Lebda, his trading of picks for a quick boost in the standings, his braying, boasting and berating etc.) all out of stubborn pride and the fear of being totally exposed and excoriated by a second high Bruin draft pick. We need to be realistic about Mr Burke's considerable limitations, and not swayed by his swagger. Only ostriches hide their heads in the sand.

[Woohoo]

Best post in the series so far. Based on the pessimism we usually see in the comments, I'm surprised that we don't have a suicide epidemic on our hands every time the Leafs lose. The only way that you could say that the leafs are not on the right path is to hyperfocus on short-term results. Clearly, Burke is not done. It's obvious that the team is unfinished. However, the salary cap slows down the process by making trades more difficult. The glass is half full, literally. When it is full (ie Burke is finished with his upgrades), the Leafs will be a contender.

[me.yahoo.com/a/EX8fci0q24bLHRm0CMdCjFZyqt.phP44]

pass over what you've been smoking, it must be some good shtuff!

LOL at trading 2 lotteries for 1 dimensional Kessel!

LEBNA -19 in 21 games Rules!

[Alecia]

Oy vay... we really are on a break, aren't we?

See? I haven't left anywhere. I'm totally incapable of doing so and I see that now. Which makes me wonder what we're all going to do in the summer...

VM Replies: We should figure out a new subject to discuss in the summer months.

[Ostrich Lover]

Martin St. Louis. Undrafted. Age 26, second year in league : Year 2000-2001 78gp 18g-22a-40pts

Tylar Bozak Undrafted. Age 26 second year in league 2010-2011
37gp 8g-19a-27pts

I think it is infact a very viable comparison. Bozak will most likely finish with higher points.

Just sayin'.

[TPiddy]

I typically ask two questions when analyzing any trade. What else did we have to give, and who else was available for the price? I think in Kessel's case... are the three picks we gave up better than keeping guys like Schenn and Kadri? It remains to be seen. As for who else was available.... name a better player we could have acquired for the picks. Jeff Carter? Doubt it.... John Tavares? Not likely... the whole thing has yet to play out, but the bottom line is Burke started with almost nothing (Schenn, Kulemin, Gunnarsson and Reimer in the prospect pool) and now we have at least something to build on. My only criticisms of him are fairly minor, like not getting what I felt was adequate return for Pavel Kubina and Lee Stempniak.

[Leaf Fan In San Diego]

The reason you are called an idiot Mr. Ostrich is that you are one. To whit:

1) You GUARANTEED that Kadri would (a) win the Calder (b) score at a ppg pace

2) You call everyone who doesn't agree with you an idiot

3) You claim to be Pat Quinn's son, nephew, cousin or dog

4) You claimed that the Leafs had already acquired Lecavelier

5) You claimed that Pat Quinn told you the coaching job was his if he wanted it

6) You said that the Canadiens would trade Carey Price to the Leafs

7) You think Beauchemin and Komisarek are good acquisitions

If it sounds like an idiot, smells like an idiot and looks like an idiot, guess what? It's an idiot. And you Ostrich, are an idiot.

[Robert]

OL a good post. Well thought out and well presented. I know your editor (Vindaloo) helped, but, your argument was presented in good fashion. Everyone will have their favourites on this team and we will never all agree who is what to whom.
But, and there is always a but. You did not deal with the fact Brian said his team would be truculent and hard to play against. (This Year) I don't believe they are.
That his team is as far from a playoff spot this year as they were last, does not stand his comment 'we will be gunning for a playoff' in good stead.
I would argue that Seguin and Hall both have a greater potential than Kessel. Grabovski a far better all around player than Kessel. And on. Trust your other posting buddies to pick on you. Perhaps thats all they have time to do.
You got the word out, patience folks, we are rebuilding. There is no argument to that. In the meantime, we want to see some of that Burkie bluster take place on the ice.

[nugentmania]

I'd love to see how many of these congratulatory posters on a job well written have the same IP address.

[leafer22]

very good article! i hope that it reaches the idiots that still believe the kessle deal set us back! i am confident they will not give up a lottery pick this year. in a mediocer {at best} draft year. kessle is already a proven scorer on a currently weak team and is only going to get better.seguin however plays on a very strong team and barely scores.{he probly gets less ice time than kessle, but i would also argue kessle doesn't get enough ice time} you clearly watch alot of hockey and know alot of stats. the numbers you compared between some of the leagues best players at the same age as kessle should give every leaf fan a new respect for kessle. anybody that argues your article is an idiot and should watch more hockey before making retarded comments. thanks ol

[peduval]

Great article Ostrich,If Burke had kept his 2 first round picks they would still be calling for his head.The word patience is lost in Toronto.

[Greg E]

1. 43 years? You don't have to look back that far - 43 games would do it.
2. A future? Everyone in the world has a future as long as they are alive... ridiculous comment.
3. You go to Laurentian University - enough said.

[Ostrich Lover]

Hey Vinay, back me up man, not one of these posts has my IP Adress. I have class, I would never do that.

VM Replies: I can confirm none of the comments in this thread have come from the IP address belonging to Ostrich Lover.

[denial]

This just in from Planet Disengagement: I remember being in university, and being this stupid.

[what?]

I also have the ability to fly as somewhere in my DNA there lays or lies? dormant the code for wings. Doesn't mean i'm going to jump off my roof anytime soon. The leafs are hockey players, so technically yes they could excel at hockey...

[enJoy hockey]

I'm sorry to see the hockey "know-it-alls" sneaking into this blog discussion with their negativism and name-calling. (Oh oh, I did it too.) Not you, Vinay, you manage to keep even your critical comments funny and supportive. It's a game, everyone, enjoy it! There are no guarantees. Just when you think you have all the ringers, the opposition fields a hot new goalie; just when the goal is gaping, the puck takes a weird bounce. So many variables. Sorry for being naive, but I just like to recognize the way-above-average skill that is out there on both teams and I like to cheer for the Leafs, enjoying their successes and feeling sorry for their missteps. I could not do their job; I could not do Burke's --or Wilson's and probably most of us couldn't. By the way, two years ago, when the Leafs played Boston, I remember cringing whenever Kessel was on the ice and I believe he's a "bird in the hand." (Left myself open there.) Keep blogging, Vinay, and keep posting, music buffs and wits. Hockey experts, go away. From a hockey-playing grandma, whose own grandma, glued to the radio, cheered for the Leafs --so be nice to me.

[denial]

Vinay, your blog took a major credibility and quality hit with this today. I understand you want to engage your readers and inspire (or incite) discussion, but this was really lame. I think it was bad judgment on your part to post this. Blogs are like brands and your just fell down a few pegs. I hope it's temporary.

VM Replies: I don't know what to say. I want this blog to be inclusive of all Leaf-related opinions. You know what I think of you, Denial, so if you were personally offended by this post, all I can really do is apologize. I'm sorry.

[waffles2010]

Vinay, c'mon man. A guy who has claimed all sorts of crap, see above. Now gets to claim that he has class. Out of bounds, sir. Quite distasteful, IMHO. (the I am Burke's son was especially egregious).

[Ken Baumgartner]

What I don't understand is that you and Nik and all the other futures optimists dismiss that this team, while it has future potential, was built for this years' playoffs. It is a monumental failure that you ignore. You say it is excusable because they are young, even in the face of the man you espouse as genius.

The problem with that is that the huge potential gap that they have is supposed to be closing this year by Brian Burke's estimation. Why are you letting this team off the hook so easily? Your genius isn't. If expectations don't meet the potential gap then that is all it ever is, a gap with potential unfulfilled.

Alecia, all you need to do is say hello and it makes me smile. I suspect this summer we will begin to plan the celebration for next years playoffs. By that time we will all have forgotten this years disaster and the hopeless romantic in us all will miss the forest for the trees. Honestly you know it will happen.

Disagreeing with the writer and other bloggers is fine but calling people idiots and such is really not required. What it is it my mom always said, criticize the action, not the person. Ie, your idea is idoitic indeed, as opposed to you are an idiot. Just a little civility is all.

VM Replies: Thanks for writing that last part, Bomber. I was actually going to jump in here with a similar message.

[Leo Jost]

Jimmy I think based on the article you wrote that was in today’s Toronto Star sports section you should choose another career other than an aspiring hockey writer. I don't know how Phil Kessel stat's compared to those of is Alexander Semin, Daniel Sedin, Pavel Datsyuk or Henrik Zetterberg when he was 23 years old. But if you check the NHL website today find Phil Kessel way down at # 70 under individual stats. Daniel Sedin & Henrik Zetterberg are both in the top ten of the NHL individual player stats. Phil Kessel has had one major slump this season and is now in the middle of a second one. Trading two first round draft picks and one second round for Phil Kessel was a terrible trade by Brian Burke. I don’t know what you mean when you wrote it was a weak draft
In your opinion Burke is an extremely intelligent man but with the trades he as made the Maple Leafs are no better off today than when he arrived in Toronto and a lot of these young players you are talking about weren’t even drafted or traded for by Brian Burke they were already in the Maple Leaf organization. What the Maple Leafs should have done is make Pat Quinn there GM & President of Hockey Operations and let Pat hire his own coach & scouts and he would have made the Maple Leafs a competitive hockey team. Now if you want to talk about a intelligent hockey man let’s talk about Pat Quinn he has the desire to return to the NHL so the Maple Leafs should fire Brian Burke and hire Pat Quinn to lead the Maple Leafs to better years to come. And as for a new career you should contact Brian Burke he might be needing a PR man soon if the Maple Leafs do the right thing and fire him and Ron Wilson during the All Star break.

[waffles2010]

@Ostrich Lover. I personally like the fact that all of your friends and family chose today to frequent A Leaf Fan Blogs. Having your Grandmother post was sweet, my own Gran would have told me to write whatever I wanted and sign her name to it. It looks like yours did as well.

@Greg E. Please do not take pot shots at Laurentian University. They are the Ryerson of the north.

Go Mustangs! UWO RULES!

[Sammigami]

I have to say that was very well written. Kudos to you Ostrich. I have long supported the Kessel trade because I thought it was a good trade at the time. Even though it looks bad now, we can't assess it fully until years later.

[Alecia]

Hello, Bomber.

By the way, I too like Burke. I don't think we can fully judge him till he is done here in Toronto. But I have a lot of respect for the man.

VM Replies: I think you should have gone with "Mr. President" instead of "Bomber." Also: I may need you to sing me a song at some point today.

[hoofheartz]

OL: Not bad, however, try as I might I can't think of "at least 6 players with superstar potential" nor can I get my head wrapped around your assertion that Jamie Macoun was a skill player.

VM Replies: We should do this again sometime soon, don't you think?

[Alecia]

Vinay, I don't sing. I just make pretty pictures.

VM Replies: What you just wrote would be a great name for a song.

[hoofheartz]

VM: Agreed. I look forward to your next blog.

[Luke R]

"at least a half dozen players with superstar potential".....

Wait, what???!

You kinda lost me there because I can't imagine anyone with any hockey knowledge would agree with that. Even Phil Kessel scoring 50 goals wouldn't elevate him into that category because he only does one thing and one thing only. That's not to say get rid of Kessel or not acknowledge that he's an integral part of a contending team, but superstar? Don't you have to do more than score to be considered a super star? I guess your bar is a lot lower than mine for what a super star is.

I tend to think there's only a handful of superstars in the league, period. So how you came up with 6 Leafs having that potential is beyond me.

[pinot grigio]

I think it is unconscionable to call people names in any context. I believe OL's opinions are extremely naive but we already knew that and nobody can take away his right to freely offer his opinion (this is Canada, not Egypt). Vindaloo, you should be commended for giving OL the chance to write the blog knowing full well what the reactions would be like. Neither of you two is diminished in my eyes, au contraire... That does not mean I am now convinced that BB is any good, but that is my opinion and I have a right to believe that.
This is actually a very fun blog, let's not spoil it by insulting each other (any more than strictly necessary).

VM Replies: Thank you, pinot.

[Reever29]

Awesome article. Agree wholeheartedly.

The hardest thing that I have found is putting up with the negative people, not the games. The Leafs are making progress with young players. Sure they make mistakes, but you can see genuine progress.

Haters...stay away. Find another team to cheer for.

[Puckhead]

Great write up. When looking at Burke's overall body of work, things look even brighter.
The overall of the front office, bring depth and experience - Nonis, Allaire, Poulin, & Loiselle.
Winning recruitment races for Bozak, Hanson, the Monster, Rynnas, & Scrivens - players all coveted by multiple teams. Burke got 'em.
Bringing depth to our farm system for the first time in years.
And finally, completely rebuilding (but not done yet) the NHL squad in two years under a restrictive cap system.

[moe green]

Great post Ostrich Lover! While I agree with your assessment of Burke, it's the patience side of the argument I'm having difficulty with. I agree with you on the Kessel trade. I will admit that it's hard to watch the wasted potential some nights. He can be so amazing with the puck. And the Phaneuf/Aulie trade was a slam dunk for Burke.

I simply think that the group we have now is talented enough to make the playoffs, if not make a little splash. Burke has done a great job. Ron Wilson, I'm not so sure about.

For those who agree with you, I guess the question is: Are we under-performing or are we just being impatient? The answer is probably a little of both.

For me there are a couple obvious possibilities.

1) Ron Wilson's system takes time to master, but once you've got it it's a very effective and hard to play against. It may take another season for this group to really learn it.

2) Ron Wilson has been unable to teach his system effectively or it is the wrong system for this group of players. Or Ron Wilson is no longer an effective coach.

If I know Burke, he'll stick with Wilson for a while so I guess we'll just have to (sigh) wait and see.

Once again, great post Jimmy? Ostrich? OL?

[TimB]

Well Vinay,I bet when you wrote that first blog you could not imagine this.I love it!It took me this long to post thinking about the mention of Macoun also.I suppose Joey Crabb is Vincent Lecavalier?Anyway,let's stop the name calling and let the merriment continue.Jamie Macoun?

VM Replies: Fire up that van of yours. We're going to Mexico.

[Ostrich Lover]

Insult away, I have thick skin and I know full well that most of the people saw my name and judged me on their preconcieved notions. I do not think this is a naive view of things at all, in fact I think it takes quite a sophisticated hockey fan to look beyond today. Beyond that anyone who speaks up against the commonly held position will be sure to face critisism.

A prevelent disagreement is that Burke apearently built the team for this years playoffs. All I can tell you is that if you continue to ignore facts, then there is no convincing you. Burke himself said that this isn't a finished product. All he said was that he believed that what he had would be good enough to compete for the playoffs. Maybe he was wrong, and maybe he wasnt (this team is competitive every single night). The point is he never once said that he was finished building the team and that he now had a contender-he has been publically saying that he is trying to make a trade for 8 months. There has been a really obvious "work in progress" sign hanging from this team all year long.

As for the "six superstars" comment, perhaps I could have just said stars, but Phanuef, Schenn, Kessel, Kadri, Riemer, Bozak will all qualify. Just wait.

Finnaly, thanks again to Vinay and all who read.

[Leaf Fan In San Diego]

I thought that to be an aspiring anything you had to know something about to which you aspire to. Don't you have to know something about hockey to be an aspiring hockey writer? Otherwise, I'm an aspiring brain surgeon.

[Ostrich Lover]

Oh by the way the Jamie Mccoun comment was a joke. I thought that was pretty obvious.

[TimB]

joke
(jk)
n.
1. Something said or done to evoke laughter or amusement, especially an amusing story with a punch line.
2. A mischievous trick; a prank.
3. An amusing or ludicrous incident or situation.
4. Informal
a. Something not to be taken seriously; a triviality.
b. An object of amusement or laughter; a laughingstock.

I guess by the very definition,your whole guest post is a joke.

[Krakondack]

Inspector Clueseau was a misunderstood genius compared to Burke and Wilson.

[Owen Durkin]

The cornerstone of the Burke strategy appears to be avoiding the temptation to put pimple-faced prospects (even high-upside ones) on the front lines in a market that eats its young with great regularity. Fortunately, Kadri and Aulie (as well as Gustavsson) are being spared the fates of Pogge and Tlusty, once thought to be the future of the club.

Young guns three or four years removed from the draft who have lived a little as NHL'ers stand a better chance of overcoming the distraction and adversity that is life in the Blue and white Bubble, or so we are led to believe. Frankly, I agree.Burke prudently stockpiled the junior system he re-engineered from the coach to the on-ice product before acquiring a sure shot 35+ goal getter to help accelerate the process of retooling. That bird in the hand is worth two (first rounders) in the bush, who, despite how they may develop in Boston, would likely collapse under the weight of the expectations of a rabid, petulant, Leaf market.

With our house in order we can groom high end talent organically as opposed to thrusting them on to the front lines, ready or not.

Tank Nation is a Hallucination. You don't learn to conquer by capitulating, or playing for pole position at the draft. What works in lesser markets pre-CBA doesnt fly here in Toronto.

A lesser man would capitulate to the angry, irrational mob that is Leaf Nation. Kudos to Burke for sticking to the plan.

P.S. Bozak is a good 3C with 2C upside, but he aint gonna Marty by a longshot

[BVIV72]

Wow . . . just what Toronto needs - another wanna be hockey writer who thinks he understands the madness behind Burke's colossal blunders to date.

I wonder how awesome and amazing Ostrich Lover is going to think Phil Kessel looks this weekend when he's one of the last players picked for the All-Star team?

Kessel an All-Star . . . based on what? He's been an all-star disappointment from my estimation. How do you think a guy like Clarke MacArthur feels watching a bum like Kessel get chosen for the game instead of him . . . what a crock!

[Ken Baumgartner]

Ahh, but Ostrich Lover he did indeed say he expects the team to make the playoffs. In fact he has said he expects every team he has ever built to make the playoffs. If not it has failed. There is not denying that he is not done and there is no denying that this team looks like it has a better future than 4 years ago. Thank God for that. This is remember, a fast rebuild.

Not only did he say it, so did the captain. In fact he said anything less is unacceptable.

If Brian Burke had come out and said this rebuild will be a long process I would have a completely different opinion of this year. He did not say they will make the playoffs but he did say he expects them too. Those are the facts.

Regarding your superstars, the key ingredient in becoming one besides individual performance is that you must make the players around you better. The only player I think that is starting to show that quality is Luke Schenn. The Jury is out on Kadri but again, he has massive potential. Phaneuf has been a bit disappointing but I won't give up on him even though a few weeks back I could thrown him on a garbage heap , because of a comment he said and then proceed to stink the joint out the next game. Kessel has not done that at all and needs someone to make him better. If only we could find him Adam Oates. Bozak, I don't know if superstar is in his cards and Reimer is still too new to make that projection.

Anyway you look at it all we can do pontificate, hope, pray, cheer, yell, scream, and what seems to be happening, spend far too much time on this blog. But it is fun!

First pick tonight: Stamkos

[Lorenzo Llama]

As a lifetime leaf fan I admire Ostrich Lover for his devotion to the leafs and his insight into the future. I also find it quite funny that all these people take the time to read a well thought out and executed article of one man's opinion and then criticize it horribly. Let the man voice his opinion and take your pessimism elsewhere! Nobody likes a negative Nancy! Oh wait, try the Canadiens, I think you'd fit right in! Whether I agree with everything OL has said or not, it doesn't matter because I see this article for what it is: a well-written, fun-to-read piece of writing!

[Rooney]

@VM, I am curious if BB would agree with everything stated in this post. Wonder if you could get him to read it?

VM Replies: I could politely send it to his people. But that's about it.

[Youknownothing]

Based on the assumptions and comparisons in this blog, I think you should go all out and declare Nazem Kadri the next Crosby.

[TimB]

@Lorenzo Llama.Have even seen this blog before today?Pessimism is what we thrive on.Might I suggest you go elsewhere?

[gary]

great article man and i feel the same as you do it takes time sure i understand why Burke would say we plan on making the play offs cause he believes every year that should be your only goal is to make the play offs even if he knows his team isn't quite there he will still say the same thing and i like that a lot about Burke. when he got here there was very little talent here and now we have guys who have UPSIDE and still young. i liked the Kessel deal personally myself.. other then Hall and Skinner that draft wasn't very deep at least not yet some of those guys might still become players but will they be as good as Kessel. sure Phil has his wort's but again he is 23 years old and already has two 30 goal seasons under his belt. i trust in Burkie to get the job done just going to take time. lets also face the fact that Komo and Beauchemen haven't played to there abilities yet..hears hoping they do. i still think we need to see whose going to be the goalie though for next year and i hope they give reimer and Guss that chance the rest of the year!!

[gary]

a lot of people here are just haters period they don't know hockey really they think they do but they have no clue. Rome wasn't built in a day and his comments about Sedin are true..they thought both those guys where soft there first 5 years ffs it took time for them to become the players they are now. Kessel is 23 years old. after Boston picks there last pick from the Leafs this year let see how well they are in 2 years from now i'll bet that only Seguin is playing and he will be a 3rd line Center in Boston and not cause he can't be a number 1 it's cause he has to play in Boston where defense is always 1st that kid is doomed till he can get out of that city!

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN THIS IS A CLASS ARTICLE AND HAS GREAT POINTS KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK MAN LOVE YOUR BLOG

[Boo Who?]

The thing that pisses me off about Kessel is not that I neccessarily believe he's occupying a roster spot that rightfully belongs to one of our future lord and saviours - I assume the rationale used to justify his deal was the same that makes most hiring managers go for the known and experienced workers over, say, the promising but untested recent grads. There's a certainty about what you're getting. They're not going to require as much training. And if your new hire has a natural aptitude for something, all the better. So I don't need to forgive Burke for going with what he saw as a 'sure thing' as opposed to a bit of a gamble, he made a very ordinary, very human decision.

What pisses me off about Kessel is that he's a streaky, underacheiving git with no apparent team-building or leadership qualities. It's the same thing that annoys me about Phaneuf. And that's where Burkie and my own supa-sick GM'ing skillz part ways; I'm not sure we would have agreed about the fact either of these guys is capable of filling the role he was brought in to play. I see the same bits of flash and dazzle everyone sees - both players are capable of making you stand up and cheer when they decide to bring their A-game. I just don't see much evidence of the substance that makes these kinds of moments endure. Or better yet, makes them a rallying point for their team. Hopefully, since we seem to be quite stuck with them, they grow into their potential. And hopefully the teams grows with them.

VM Replies: Boo-berry!

[TimB]

I think we should give OL credit.He had to know there would be a little feedback from his post.Anyway,I'm going out and warm up the van.I got a trip to make.

VM Replies: See you soon.

[TG77]

Holy crap, some of the feedback makes me consider retracting my guest post I sent to Vinay or at least ask for a cooling period following today's post! If nothing else, today's post seemed to attract a lot of outside interest and non-regulars who posted. I honestly thought the Jamie Macoun joke was pretty funny. If your dream is to be a hockey writer, why not just create a blog and craft your trade? Ultimately, you will end up ruffling some feathers (pun fully intended...thank you, try the veal) with your opinions but it took guts, as TimB suggests. I do have to question whether you honestly think based on what you have seen that at some point all 6 of those players you mentioned will be on an all-star team though. I do get your point about what if this was Columbus, but it's not Columbus, it's a city whose fans actually care about them missing the playoffs and who are growing sick of not having playoff hockey to look forward to so I think it's a tough comparison to make.

[TG77]

Poor Kessel...he hasn't been picked yet. Ouch, last overall.

[Viking416]

Well the floater Kessel was the last player taken in the All Star draft. I guess the other players in the NHL are not as in tune as Ostrich and Burke. This is his ideal game....no hitting allowed.....and still they shunned him.....ah well for the public humility he gets a car...

[mark clements]

Maybe the dumbest article on the Leafs ever. Makes the Globe's
Roy MacGregor look smart. Aspiring writer huh? Keep your day job.
Typical Leaf fan - cheering in the face of utter failure.

[Really?]

Way to go you giant homer loser! Go Leafs Go! What an absolutely moronic post from a delusional homer moron! Fans like you are why Toronto never has to do it right. There's always legions of idiots lining up to drink the koolaid roflmao!!!

[blueblood]

Excellent Jimmy, all good points everyone needs to look at the future just like Burke is doing, even I get disheartened at times but it will all work out in time, just give it time people

[Tommy Puhponts]

Hahaha! Looking for a job with Leafs TV or some other MLSE owned organ, no doubt. A "core group of young players with such high ceilings"?!? Hahaha! Kessel is terrible. Phaneuf has one (ONE?!) goal; Keith Aulie (uh, who?); Jussi Rynnas (uh, who?); Jonas Gustavsson (excellent future Marlie), James Reimer (a total nobody until two weeks ago who becomes good by default because everyone else is so terrible); Nazem Kadri (great Marlie); various others (terrible, terrible hockey players). Yes, Burkie isn't a loudmouthed bully, he's a genius who's softening up the rest of the league by repeatededly fielding awful teams.

[leafland'r]

By the time this comment is listed it likely will be a repeat from other posters: even the all-stars picked Kessel LAST ! Guess somebody had to take 'em. Maybe the skaters know something Burke ( or OL ) doesn't.

[denial]

Vinay...last comment I'll make on this. If you send this to Burke, you're pretty much doing exactly what this guy wanted you to do. He's obviously greasing the wheels for a Burkian-enabled gig when he gets out of university. I'm surprised you didn't see this coming. The piece he wrote is a cover letter.

[Rick Baldesarra]

BURKE IS TAKING THE HEAT FOR WHAT HE HAS F-A-I-L-E-D TO DO!!!!! Get over it "leafs fan'!!!!!! How did you get this gig??????

[James B]

"at least a half a dozen players with superstar potential". What are you drunk? There is not a single player on the roster or the farm with superstar potential not even star potential. Typical blue and white glasses. If this team comes close to the playoffs in the next five years most knowledgable hockey people will be stunned either that or hell has frozen over. You need to get a grip on reality ostrich guy.

[Ange]

I keep hearing about a young team, with potential and the excitement of watching them mature.
1. Potential is not guaranteed success - that come from good management, hard work, and a tradition of winning (see Pittsburgh Steelers, Montreal Canadians, Boston Celtics, LA Lakers). The lack of confidence (biggest) problem that this team possesses will not be solved by gaining experience over the next two seasons. It will be solved by bringing in players who are able to instil toughness, and a winning attitude to the club (The way Gilmore did within a week of coming to Toronto). Phaneuf is better than what we gave up, but his captaincy is not the catalyst that will turn things around - it will just make us 5 - 8 points better in the standings than we were without him (Still not a playoff team).
2. What guarantee do we have that these exciting young players will be Leafs when they are 27? With salary caps, and with players no longer wanting to play in the same city for too long (especially when there is so much media scrutiny) why do you believe that all of our 21 - 25 year old players will still be Leafs 2 0- 4 years from now?

This article is written from the heart, by a Leaf fanatic - no basis in reality, and too many "if's" to give me any confidence in the rebuild and future hope that Ostrich Lover is talking about.

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Wow. Just wow.
I have laughed at Laff fans for a long time, but this is just sad.

Get help Jimmy. Professional help.

Nice to see that your Kessel, the superstar in the making, was LAST in picking.
But those other all-stars, you know, the guys that actually play the game, they are all wrong.

[Princess Mononoke]

Well, clearly the genius of BB is eminently deniable, so the title itself is either ironic or just pure hubris.
A better title might have been "The controversial genius of BB."
Saying things are a certain way does not magically make them so.

I'm not a Leafs fan, but I see I'm not the only one who balks at the claim that the Leafs have "at least a half dozen players with superstar potential." At least half a dozen??? Seriously??

I am greatly enamored of my Habs, who got all the way to the conference finals last year, and haven't been out of a playoff spot all season. I *bottle* the red-white-and-blue Kool Aid, and yet I cannot honestly say that the Habs have "at least a half dozen players with superstar potential."
(As I can honestly, truthfully ascertain, they have perhaps 2 players with superstar potential, maybe 3 depending on what we see out of PK Subban.)

To make such a claim about the struggling Leafs is just to dream in writing.
At the same time, this kind of article generates a lot of discussion, so perhaps you guys shouldn't call OL an idiot. He's a dreamer who likes to state his wildest dreams as "undeniable" facts. Every team's fanbase has those, believe me!

VM Replies: Good morning, Princess!

[hoofheartz]

HFTbDBaLF, when were you picked in last nights draft?

[RJ45]

Kessel would not have been picked at all if Staal and Lidstrom didn't absolutely have to. Burke has got to succumb to the embarassment sooner or later. Who uses the words truculence and pugnacity anyway? What a meat head.

[80s Leafs]

You say "Macoun," I say "Rik Nattress."
Well done Jimmy Ostrich. Everybody crapping on you is just jealous 'cause you got a guest blog. Just let it roll off, like the sky off an ostrich's back.

My opposing view is not so much about the estimated value of the players themselves, but the way they are being "taught." Anybody with an ounce of vision would coach Kessel to get him to try something other than streaking down the wing and either firing a bad-angle, low-percentage shot from the boards or else cutting to the middle and having his shot from the high slot blocked. Not our man, Ron, though. He seems sure that one of these days opposing D-men are gonna wake up and start parting like the Red Sea and stand out of the way of P.K.'s shots.

[Sensi-Bill]

@Robert
"OL a good post. Well thought out and well presented. I know your editor (Vindaloo) helped, but, your argument was presented in good fashion."
I agree.
And given that I have clearly demonstrated that I am NOT a big fan of OL, I am obviously reacting to his post and not his reputation.
I even agree with some of the points he made.
Not that whether I agree, or not, with the opinions expressed should factor in when determining how well, or poorly, he presented his case.
So thank you James for a good and worthy job.
In terms of the haters and name-callers, as is so often the case, I humbly suggest you consider the sources of what I suspect is knee-jerk negativity.
Considering the sources also applies to those who have reacted positively to your post. To me, they represent some of the more insightful voices here.
However, I should warn you that support of this one effort doesn't mean automatic support from these same sources for subsequent postings.
I can guarantee that for me, and I suspect certain others, each comment will continue to be judged on it's own.
I will point out two other things:
1) In noting negative and positive responses to your guest post, I do believe that there was a lot of repetition on the negative side, that is multiple negatives post from single sources.
Thus though I didn't record the actual numbers for negative and positive responders --- as opposed to responses --- I get the feeling they were a lot closer in number than it might have seemed. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if, despite the distraction of high decibels on the negative side, positive responders actually out numbered negative responders.
2) It seemed to me that I also saw a fair number of names I don't usually see. So discounting the ever popular conspiracy theory about ringers being brought in to swell the ranks of positive responders, I prefer to think your food for thought, coupled with your underdog status, inspired feedback from people more used to sitting back and letting others carry the conversations/debates.
Yes, Mr. Flightless-bird Fancier, you often drive me (a little) crazy but I do believe in giving credit where credit is due. And IMHO, this time you earned it.

[Matt]

"Burke is an extremely intelligent man. He has repeatedly resisted the urge to panic. He obviously sees something in his roster the fans and media – with their wagging fingers and groupthink mentality – have missed."

Couldn't be more bang on. Burke has said for the past two years that he saw the Leafs as playoff calibre when nobody else did....and he could not have been more off the mark. The man has clearly overvalued his current roster and despite what he says, would never have made the Kessel trade if he knew how high the two picks were going to be.

To say the Leafs have "at least" 6 future superstars on the team is one of the more bizarre hockey statements I've heard in years. To include Phaneuf's name in that group is absolutely stunning. The guys career trajectory has been going in the wrong direction since his rookie year. He is still young, but not only is he not developing, he's been getting worse each year. His physical skills are not in question, but it's been a long time since anyone has done less with more than Dion Phaneuf. His hockey IQ is astonishingly low.

[Sensi-Bill]

Once again I don't believe Burke EVER said this team would make the playoffs this year.
I believe he said something about competing for the playoffs and those fans who hear what they want to hear took it as a promise the team WOULD make the playoffs.
Much easier to feel betrayed and sorry for oneself if a hope for something is turned into an absolute promise of said something.
Rewriting history to claim the GM promised a playoff position makes it easier for those determined to hate Burke.
The Kessel trade?
Well I don't believe in giving up so much when trading draft picks --- perhaps a first-round pick one year and a second-round pick the next. And I'm not a fan of Phil Kessel.
But I do believe it is still too early to declare with any certainty that this was a good or bad, let alone terrible, trade.
With historically so many late-round picks having become star players, and with enough first-round picks having failed to reach projected stardom, there are no guarantees. Meaning that a YOUNG scorer in the hand may well indeed be better than two in the bush.
And even if Tyler Seguin does eventually become a star, you still have to factor in Kessel's contribution to the Leafs in the intervening years.
Funny how the impatient, who definitely want goals NOW, imply they would have been patient watching Seguin develop over the years.
Let's face it. If Kadri is being hailed by many as a guaranteed star before he's even shown that he CAN compete at the NHL level, imagine the premature hysteria a Seguin, or Hall, might generate.
So no, while I think Burke overestimated how close this team might be to a playoff spot --- and how far away from a first-five draft pick --- I'd still like to see a genuine transcript proving he said they would outright make the playoffs.

[Sensi-Bill]

Waffles 2010:
"Vinay please, I am begging you now. Please sir, no more guest posts. I can't bear any more of this torture. I cry uncle. I give. No mas."
.
I think what Mr. Wish-washy-pancake is trying to say (demand?) is no more guest posts that HE doesn't agree with or don't agree with him.
I also think there may be an even stronger message in terms of no more guest posts by regular posters he (strongly?) dislikes.
Sounds to me like he might be seeking pre-approval rights.
.
Well I strongly suggest you stick to your own judgement, sir. In VM I trust. (smile)

[Scot Loucks]

lol .... I could have written this one.

Shame you left off MacArthur, he played in the WJC with Phaneuf and has always had a strong upside as well.

The Burke said when he started, that Toronto fans didn't have the patience for a tank and draft rebuild. He is being proven right on a daily basis this year.

The other thing not mentioned was draft picks. Other than the Kessel deal, they have been accumulating draft picks. I believe they already have 2 second rounders this year (theirs and Chicago's) and some more may turn up by the trade dead line.

I think the media to a certain extent are part of the problem. Over the top coverage of the Leafs and the talking heads (especially them) just keep giving the people what they want to hear. No true analysis of what has been done and what is different about this team over previous teams.

Most true hockey fans would note that the current Leafs are playing better, playing more consistently. Still not putting up the points, but they will come.

The Burke has expanded the scouting department. He has upgraded the development department and turned the Marlies into a true development program with a reduced number of AHL vets playing for them. He has also expanded the management team (even though most of his critics will suggest he is a dictator.).

The one good thing? Burke is here for at least 3 more years and doesn't give a damn what his critics think.

I'm with him on that on.

Cheers

[Sensi-Bill]

 @VM
"VM Replies: I don't know what to say. I want this blog to be inclusive of all Leaf-related opinions. You know what I think of you, Denial, so if you were personally offended by this post, all I can really do is apologize. I'm sorry."
.
Vin, I think I understand what you're trying to say, in terms of being sorry if someone finds something individually offensive.
However, I was dismayed by what this comment reads like on the surface.
I doubt Denial was truly offended on a personal level. At least not in the way we normally interpret such things. (For instance I am slightly offended when someone uses the term "retarded" and imagine someone with a mentally challenged family member would likely be even more offended.)
But for someone to be offended because, as they at least claim, someone's post doesn't meet their self-proclaimed standards, is pretty rich.
I certainly am not so full of myself to be personally offended if someone says (or writes) something I don't agree with.
So IMHO (in my humble opinion) there was no need to apologize Vin. I think the sheer volume of response, for and against, indicate you did your readers a service by showcasing another blog follower's opinions.
And as far as I am concerned, if Denial had problems with it, that's his or her problem and he or she had the same right to post their support or disagreement without playing the "offended" card.
And if people agree with what I have just said, I would appreciate if they would so indicate, to give YOU a better idea where they stand on this kind of thing and whether they feel you should have apologized. (Not to criticize, because we all know where your heart is, as well as your gentlemanly instincts.)
So perhaps those in support could post something as simple as: "No apology necessary."
And if they feel otherwise: "Apology in order."
One final thought. If someone had claimed to be offended by the perceived quality of the guest blog of the more popular Mr. Green (our man Moe) --- and not anything specific he said --- would you feel the same need to apologize?
Again, if it sounds like I'm being critical, that is not my intention. I just happen to think that in the case of Denial's reaction, there was no real need to apologize and if others here feel the same way, then perhaps it's something you deserve to know.

VM Replies: My apology was sincere, mostly because I have a lot of time for Denial. But I hope my apology didn't leave the impression I regretted running the post.
Ostrich Lover's thesis is often reflected in the comments by others, albeit not as forcefully. I may not share some of his beliefs but what I believe is this is a blog for *all* Leaf fans.
Anyway, it was a wild afternoon yesterday in ALF B headquarters. I was in the middle of several non-Leaf matters while still trying to moderate comments and deal with a sudden spike of email related to the post.
So I can't apologize for apologizing.

[Pussy]

Sensi-Bill: Most of the time I consider you one of the more rational posters here, however, as has been said by others, if OL is entitled to his opinion I believe that applies to all posters, except for stinking hab fans. I believe that waffles may have been referring to all guest bloggers, not just OL. Don't get me wrong, like you, if OL makes further off the wall claims, I will call him on it, but I will also endeavour to refrain from name calling if I possibily can. This of course does not apply to stinking hab fans.

[Scot Loucks]

After reading the comments again (cause I was curious about who/what was offended by the initial post) ....

I came across a number of posts suggesting that Burke said they WOULD make the playoffs.

NO he didn't. He said they would compete for a playoff position. Just like every other team in the league, and just what was he supposed to say before the season even begins? Well, no, I don't think they are good enough to compete for a playoff position.

Like that would have gone over really well in the dressing room and with the coaching staff.

If there is anything out there to truly criticize Burke over (and overpaying Komisarek doesn't count, they do not and will not have cap issues, this year or next). It would be that I believe he overestimated what would be available on the UFA market.

The team needs a big centre and a tough winger to play with Kessel. They needed the same last summer. Unfortunately, those types of players were not available then, and the pickings look slim again this summer.

Cheers

VM Replies: He said there were no guarantees, you're right. But he also said, with the off-season additions, he believed this team *should* be a playoff team.

[Scot Loucks]

@VM :)

Yes, should is not would though.

And as I said, what was he supposed to say? "No, I don't think they are good enough".?

I believe it is part of his job to show confidence in his players. I'm also pretty sure nobody can find a quote from any GM in the league saying their team isn't good enough to compete for a playoff spot..... before the season even begins.

Cheers

VM Replies: Semantics and expectations. Thanks for your comments this morning, Scot.

[nugentmania]

The problem with Ostrich Lover has always been his unrelenting use of hyperbole when describing the Leafs, so hearing that the Leafs have no less than 6 budding "superstars" comes as no surprise. It's really no different than a guy who hasn't had sex in awhile using the word "gorgeous" when describing, lets say, Sarah Jessica Parker.......

VM Replies: Oh, man. Just spit out my morning martini.

[Boo Ga Loo]

Loucks = Leafs Lap Dog.