Moving Forward with Fists Clenched

If there's a plausible explanation for MLSE's leisurely approach to finding a new man to run the hockey operation - no candidates interviewed to date, no haste in doing so, leaving Cliff Fletcher in charge indefinitely - it may be that the top candidate has already been identified.

That person would most likely be Anaheim GM Brian Burke, and certainly the absence of a contract extension for Burke with the Ducks has raised many suspicions.

For now, we'll put aside the logic of waiting for just one person. Instead, it's worth wondering how Burke's approach would be welcomed in Toronto.

Specifically, his affection for smashmouth hockey.

Clearly, it's an approach that has worked in Anaheim, and the Ducks again lead the NHL in fighting this season. It's a mix of skill and muscle to be sure, and without Scott Niedermayer the Ducks are probably no better than most of the playoff teams in the west.

But is this really the style of hockey that Toronto would embrace?

For starters, to be accurate, it's an approach that has worked exactly once since the Flyers punched their way to Cups in the 1970s. Anaheim's immediate championship predecessors, Tampa Bay and Carolina, were hardly muscle teams, and the Hurricanes didn't even bother carrying an enforcer. Generally speaking, the toughest teams haven't usually won in the end.

The Leafs, it's fair to say, have been intermittently tough over the decades. There was the mid-1970s with Tiger Williams et al, the bizarre Paul Higgins experiment, the early 1990s with Ken Baumgartner and the teams of the late 1990s and early 2000s when Tie Domi, Gary Roberts, Shayne Corson, Darcy Tucker and others made the Leafs one of the more ornery NHL squads.

Enforcers have always been popular in this town, often far more popular than their actual abilities dictated. The late John Kordic, for example, drew many an ovation for his antics, and it was only recently that ACC crowds chanted Wade Belak's name.

But there's a big difference between that and the Burke approach, which is to use force first, second and third, then follow up with a touch of skill.

You can't criticize it too much because, in the end, it worked, and at least the man is honest about the type of hockey he prefers. He's not trying to fool anybody, and has also worked hard to protect the prospects the Ducks have and keep more coming, which is certainly more than has been the case with the Leafs.

But still, it's worth asking that if Burke were to come and the Leafs were the team leading the NHL in fighting in two years with a roster that might or might not be a playoff team by then, would it be a popular approach locally?

Or would the GTA respond more to a team built on speed and skill, like the Detroit Red Wings or Montreal Canadiens? The Leafs, after all, have never really tried that, have they?

Comments

[typical MALE]

Great! I look forward to smash mouth hockey, and I look forward to the neutered "men" of toronto (the 12 of you) whining about the many exciting fights and hits. It's going to be amazing!!

[John Hunt]

I do not remember anyone complaining when the 1992-1994 Leafs adopted the left-wing lock, clutch-and-grab, NJ Devils style of hockey, probably the most boring style of hockey there is. Quite honestly, I think Toronto would embrace anything that involved realistic plan to make the team competitive to win it all.

[Sean]

You're setting up a false choice to get the answer you want to hear.

Would fans prefer a speedy, skilled winner to a rough and tumble non-playoff team? Um, sure. Glad we cleared that up.

How about we let Burke (or whoever else) build a winner the best way they know how, without worrying about whether it fits the narrow view of "real" hockey that Damien has beaten into the ground over the years.

You don't like fighting. We get it. But now you're criticizing a Leaf team that hasn't even been built yet, by a man who hasn't been hired yet, because they fight too much. Even for you, that's a stretch.

Besides, if Selanne, Niedermayer, Getzlaf et al are just a "touch of skill", then sign me up.

[baac]

Would Toronto respond to tough hockey...? Cough... Ya, I think we'd be OK with it.

Or, we could keep playing craptacular wuss hockey, where no one finishes a check and we never make the playoffs.

B

[paso]

naslund,morrison,bertuzzi (in his prime),salo,the sedin twins etc...hardly a goon squad. if burke had just gone out and landed a true #1 goalie that Canucks team probably wins more than one cup. fact is, this Ducks squad dictated the gritty type of approach. however, even though he didnt draft some of them, you wouldnt take perry,getzlaf,kunitz,ryan,miller et al? And in terms of TO emabracing that type of hockey, fans would embrace a first line of Val James(remember him?),paul higgins and rocky thompson if it meant winning a cup. It would also give you Damien plenty of fodder for your annoying anti-fighting campaign. Bring on Burke, lets get ready to rumble, and move on from the jokers we have now pretending to be nhlers

[Matt]

The heroes of the Leaf fans have always been a micture of grit and skill: Kennedy, Keon, Sittler, Clark and Gilmour. Sundin doesn't get that kind of love, for some reason, even though he is more productive than any of those players mentioned.

The current Leafs roster is too soft -- a bruising winger who can play on the top 2 lines, a la Gary Roberts in his day, is needed. So is an energy line led by Chris Newbury (he could be to the Leafs what Tucker was between 2000-2004). Guys who can bang and crash but play smart defensive hockey. That 92-94 team was a bizaare mix of grit, skill, and determination that is needed as the Leafs move forward.

[Krystofer]

Actually, they have tried it, and had some (relatively)impressive results. The first teams under Pat Quinn were smaller, faster, and more about skill than the slower defensive team they replaced under Pat Burns. This led to some wins in the playoffs...all the way to the conference finals I believe. It was then deemed necessary to get tougher to get further, and we know how that turned out.

[Anonymous]

Personally I think that Ken Holland would be a better fit to run this franchise just look what he did in Detroit. Knowing the leafs they'll probably go with Burke and cry for the next 40 years. Burke took over an Anaheim team that was already established and just added little pieces unlike Holland who made the wings what they are.

[chris kane]

Oh please! This team was founded by a man who said "If you can't beat 'em in the alley..." Toronto has always embraced a lunchbucket brand of hockey hero. Hockey is a tough game played by tough men and Leaf fans most appreciate a combination of skill and grit - the Kordic, Higgins, and Belak chants were simply mockeries of their particular teams lack of skill or grit. This is why Don Cherry still has a job and that is why Mats is unappreciated in this town. The approach Burke takes (skill and grit) would be appreciated here more than anywhere - get rid of the country club atmosphere. The ACC needs some blood and a few teeth to go over the glass and mess up the platinum seats a little.

[mark]

Damien, we all know how you feel about 'smashmouth' hockey as you call it. You'd prefer figure skating. But, you raised an interesting question: how would fans in the GTA feel about a team that is tougher than most and can intimidate the opposition into coughing up the puck on occassion? The answer is simple... if they win, the GTA will love it. Look no further than to the Pat Burns era when kicking the puck around the end boards and banging/bouncing a puck into a net full of blue and white shirts was the flavour de jour. Fans loved it because it produced winning hockey. Now, go back to your pillate lessons.

[Klaus]

After watching this team, which we were promised by both coach and GM, would be "tough to play against", it has become obvious that a little bit of grit would go a long way.

[Rob from Ottawa]

The Ducks only won a cup because the league's officiating completely fell apart. The Ducks should have been penalized 5 times a period during the Minnesota series. Then in the Detroit series, we probably saw the worst officiating of the last five seasons. From the 1 game only suspension to Pronger for the Holmstrom hit, to the goal allowed after the Duck forward, two feet in the crease, pushed Hasek into the net with the puck sitting on his stomach; to that ridiculously convenient 'hooking' call on Datsyuk with 90 seconds left to play in game 5 - a penalty no replay could even find. Then came the Final where interference and holding up forwards in the neutral zone suddenly were acceptable again. But hey, the league got what it wanted - another cup in a non-traditional market.

Chance are they won't let that kind of garbage happen again. Mind you, this is the NHL.

[C.M.S.]

Damien...
You aren't even happy now that the Leafs are offically eliminated and Richard Peddie is on the CBC directly pandering to the Leaf media nation, throwing every player in the organization under the bus in the process? The fact that no print member of the media nation--whether you agree with his sentiments or not--questioned the wisdon of Peddie's comments is truly embarassing. Your average "column" usually begins with a statement about the stupidity of(your imaginary) Leaf fan based on their undying belief that the blue and white are on their way to the cup (leading to your savvy analysis that takes apart the deranged argument that you, yourself invented).
Now you're arguing that Leaf fans might not be capable of enjoying a tough team that contends for the Cup every year? I can't believe that writers and editors still wonder out loud why print media is dying. If you hate your gig this much just quit.
By the way--not even Detroit fans like the brand of soft, soul-less hockey the current Wings team plays (until the conclusion of the 1st round of the playoffs).
Cheers,
CMS

[Bob W.]

I'm pretty sure the Leafs fans would prefer a team that wins, regardless of how they do it.

[OddyOh]

T.O. just need a team that can compete in any manner...I don't think they care too much about what particular style it is. However, if Bertuzzi makes his way into a Leafs sweater (if he's not in jail by then), then eyebrows will be raised. I'd rather have Sean Avery, if I'm honest...he's the new Tucker.

[robcap]

For "guys" like typical male. I hope you get what you are looking for. A tough physical team that will not win. No wonder Montreal has all of those cups. Yes you need some grit and toughness, but you can not overvalue it - hence the basic problem with many Toronto fans that seem quite concerned with their verility that they need to distance themselves from skill and call it ballet.

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

The Laff fans will accept anything that allows them to win. Todays' Laff fan simply does not understand or even like hockey. Go to a bar or pub in the GTA now that the Laffs are done and see how many people are watching hockey now. Not bloody many. Saturday night I went to local pub to watch the Habs game. The pub had F1 racing on. And you know who they were playing Saturday.

Now, I believe the more important question is why on earth would Burke leave a good job where he has complete autonomy for the insane asylum that is MLSE. (yes, I know he has no contract extension yet in Anaheim).

If any Laff fan believes that Peddie has suddenly seen the light and is going to step away and let the new guy have complete control, well that fan is as nuts as the new hire. Can you imagine Burke surveying the wreckage that is the Leaf roster, then publicly announcing what any hockey person knows, that it is likely 2 more years of crap before this team can think of winning a playoff round. The MLSE board would have a collective stroke and will never let him exercise that kind of honesty.

Guys like Burke are too smart to come to a disaster like Toronto.

I am personally looking forward to the Montreal/Ottawa, Pittsburgh/Montreal match-ups in the playoffs, and ultimately the Pittsburgh/Western winner final.

[Derek Flack]

Mr. Cox's article is both preposterous and an embarrassment to quality sports writing. The notion that the Stanley Cup winners from a year ago accomplished such a feat with little to no skill borders on the inane. Not only was the Ducks’ roster littered with all-stars and all-star calibre players, anyone with a modicum of hockey-knowledge must be aware of the fact that fighting is severely limited throughout the playoffs, that excellent goaltending was a chief factor in the Duck’s success, and that any team capable of so handily dispatching the Ottawa Senators must skate very well. Presumably Mr. Cox knows these things – particularly evident when he notes, contradictorily, that the Ducks are in fact “a mix of skill and muscle” – which makes the above article but a meagre attempt to stir a little controversy into the coverage of a Leaf season that is now meaningless. Perhaps more thoroughgoing research into the nature of the game would be time better spent than the writing of such ill-informed musings.

[Bob Smith]

There is nothing wrong with carrying a "Wade Belak" on your roster. As a matter of fact I thought at times the Leafs were more effective with Belak in the lineup. A team needs the skill to go along with it but having players that can forecheck and wear down the opposing team defences cannot be underestimated. Anaheim was just too relentless for Ottawa in the finals last year. And fighting had nothing to do with it because the major fighting penalties are almost non existent come playoffs. It's a question of character...

[Mark]

I think it is hilarious how the whole City of Toronto thinks that Brian Burke is going to come to Toronto.....he is still under contract in Anaheim and has made no indication of coming to Toronto, in fact, he said he wasn't going anywhere a while ago....give your head a shake Toronto, Cliff Fletcher will be the GM right up until the end of next spring and it will be at that time when a new GM will be appointed....there's no way to tell me that the Leafs hired Fletcher for 19 months just to finish his job by this summer...the reason why Ferguson was appointed this job in the first place is because nobody else wanted it, this team is a joke, the fans are a joke and the writers who beat this blue/white horse to death are a joke.

Go Jays and Raptors

[Clint Walker]

I've believed for two weeks now: Cliff Fletcher, Interim GM For Life.

[chris]

See what happens, Damien, when you bring up the question of Brian Burke running the Leafs, and will it work? You invite a lot of drooling, mouthbreathing knuckleheads to opine about what a girlyman you are for even suggesting that Burke's caveman methods are not what their Blue and White beloveds need to bring the Stanley Cup "back to where it belongs".

For years they believed Tie Domi was an important and valuable element to their team's Cup aspirations. Bring in Burke and they will envision a whole unit of Domis, Tuckers and Belaks bashing faces in to victory. That's the way they've been taught and conditioned to follow their Leafs since the early days of Conn Smythe's Anglophile method of using hockey as a metaphor for war for King and country.

But look on the bright side, Burke's churlish behavior will keep you guys in the media busy and happy. I can even imagine some of them on their knees practicing their puckering. You wouldn't be one of them, of course.

[Ryan Shaw]

"Would Toronto respond to tough hockey...? Cough... Ya, I think we'd be OK with it.

Or, we could keep playing craptacular wuss hockey, where no one finishes a check and we never make the playoffs.

B"

I tend to agree, many times I watch this team in disappointment and witnessed guys like Tucker and McCabe who, when go for a hit, crash themselves into the boards. I have never witnessed a team as bad as this one when it comes to checking. No wonder they suck so bad in their own end, they're too afraid to go and get the puck.

[Boner Jams]

Mark, how does the whole city of Toronto think that Brian Burke is coming to the Leafs? From Damien's article? Did you do a poll? Thanks for trying, numbnuts.

If (and a big if) the Leafs did get Burke, expect Damien's hate for the Leafs to grow as big as Burke's ego.

[King Leary]

I'll support anyone coming to run the Leafs as long as they have a solid plan to make us into a contender. I'm not a huge Burke fan, but if he is the candidate, so be it.

Hockey Fan, dry your tears and get outside and try to enjoy life instead of consistently coming on this board and whining about how you went to a pub and couldn't watch your 'favourite' team. You consistently embarass yourself with your posts.