O-Fer Out Of The Gate

There are three winless teams in the NHL this morning - Tampa Bay, Philadelphia and Anaheim.

But only one team that hasn't even been able to muster a single point.

That would be your Ducks, the team many Toronto hockey fans imagine will eventually supply the chief executive who will turn their Leafs into champions.

Brian Burke, it's widely believed, remains the apple of MLSE's eye, even with the Ducks out to a lousy 0-4 start. Eventually, it's believed, MLSE will command that the "search" for a new general manager commence anew, and all signs still point to Burke.

But what if the Ducks continue to stink? Theoretically, it could change the scenario in two different ways.

First, the Ducks may decide that part of their problem is having a GM in charge who wants out. So far, Burke has declined to sign the contract extension on his desk, and doesn't want to negotiate. This week he was back out east visiting his kids and dealing with other matters, and it's in the eastern part of the continent that he apparently wants to be.

So if the season really goes south, maybe team president Michael Schulman says goodbye to Burke early. Say, by Christmas. With Dave Nonis, Bob Murray and Dave McNab, the Ducks have lots of management depth. Moreover, critics have already suggested that the Ducks' risky salary cap positioning has been costly in the past two years, so there's a hook on which to hang Burke if the Ducks choose.

It won't be Ducks owner Henry Samueli making that decision, by the way. He's now facing a sentencing hearing in August, 2009, and will almost certainly remain under indefinite suspension by the NHL until then, or longer. So that puts a little more pressure on Schulman to manage the hockey club.

The other way in which Anaheim's struggles could impact the Burke-to-Toronto scenario is if the proverbial bloom goes off the Burke rose. In other words, if the Ducks aren't very good, might that not persuade some that Burke isn't in fact the hockey magician some might say he is?

It shouldn't. His record is solid over the years, and that's the record that should decide his suitability.

But MLSE is a finicky corporation with few settled principles when it comes to running a hockey operation. In 2003, for example, John Ferguson was the bright young boy. By 2008, chairman Larry Tanenbaum was saying he wouldn't hire a rookie to run the club, even an accomplished person like Steve Yzerman.

So if public sentiment turns against Burke with Hollweg-type furor, you can bet MLSE will be influenced. Those suits always have their finger to the wind.

In the end, of course, it'll turn out to be what Richard Peddie wants it to be. Somehow, that guy always gets his way, even though the hockey team never gets any better with him as president.

Comments

[Steve Barnett]

Well Cox, once again it comes down to what does King Richard forsee for his empire doesn't it? As I have stated in the past Dick Peddie wouldn't know a hockey player if he tripped over him. Same goes for executives. This guy must have pictures of someone at MLSE. Is he a salesman?..Yep, a pretty good one too.
It almost makes one long for the days of Harold and Yolanda.
Now we have the Larry and Dick show. And lets not leave the teachers out of this either. A bunch of bottom line money grubbers who could'nt give a rats ass about the fan base or the legacy that is rapidly spiralling into mediocrity. As far as Burke goes, if he can come in and boot Dick out of the hockey operations department a la Colangelo, then we have a prayer for the future. If Dick did not have the teachers in his back pocket voting his way on everything than perhaps the average Leaf fan would have a glimmer of hope. Larry and Dick are now telling us we are rebuilding. Rebuilding what? Just what have we been doing since 67? As my dear old Dad used to say, "Dick Peddie couldn't find water if he went to the beach"

[Joel V.]

Hey Damien, I couldn't agree with you more. I wish that we could fire Peddie and Tannenbaum immediately. The only thing Peddie knows how to do is make money - and lots of it. He has proven time and again he has absolutely no idea on how to run a hockey team. My question to you is: who does he answer to? I presume the MLSE board but who do they answer to? Would it be possible to fire board members indiscriminately?

Keep up the great posts.

[nugentmania]

I agree with most things Damien says about the Leafs, but I'm totally lost on Burke's track record being a selling point. By that measurement, why not give the job to Jay Feaster? He has a cup in the last 5 years. Go after Jim Rutherford. He has a Cup too. So....Brian Burke is the Bryan Colangelo of hockey? Interesting. Who told Peddie this? Brian Burke?

Brian Burke is the smartest guy in the room, if only for the fact that he'll say it loud enough so you're too scared not to believe it. His P.R job on Kevin Lowe was shameless. He came off like a child who couldn't believe he wasn't winning a street hockey game so he took the net home. Yeah, just what the Leafs need. A whiny man-child running the ship.

This organization is like a dog chasing its tail.

[Eric]

What "great posts"?!?! Damien Cox flip flops more than Brett Favre! When it seemed like Brian Burke was unavailable, Damien claimed he was the only man for the job and it would a mockery to hire anyone else. Now that it appears like the Brian Burke in Toronto idea is inevitable, Damien's using the first three games of Anaheim's season to plant the seed that Burke would be a bad hire. Only journalists can be so unreasonable, only journalists can change their opinions to fit their agenda every day, only journalists can rush to judgment so often and somehow be pardoned every time.

Spare us your nonsense, Damien. I can't wait for the Leafs to win a Cup, not for the Cup itself, but more to see your schtick finally put you out of a job.

[Conn Smythe]

Although I rarely agree with you, your opinions of Peddie and Tannenbaum are accurate, unfortunately.

However,

'But MLSE is a finicky corporation with few settled principles when it comes to running a hockey operation. In 2003, for example, John Ferguson was the bright young boy. By 2008, chairman Larry Tanenbaum was saying he wouldn't hire a rookie to run the club, even an accomplished person like Steve Yzerman.'

Yzerman is still a rookie - accomplished hockey player or not - and his experience in putting together teams for a short tournament is not the same as drafting, trading and evaluating talent over an 82 game season. Now, if you had Yzerman and a seasoned GM, I think that could work.

[Justin]

I couldnt agree with you more Damien! And, might I also add, it was nice to read an article from you that doesnt bash the Leafs.....We all know they arent very good! Lets leave it at that and try to make the best of this coming season. What I do want to know is this. Any chance Jim Nill states his desire to be a head honcho elsewhere (i.e. Toronto) or is he happy playing second fiddle (not that its a bad thing for him)? Also, could this financial mess have impact on MLSE possibly looking to sell the Empire?

Thanks

Justin

[Harp]

So Sad...

While watching the Habs home opener with my almost three year old, he asked "Who are they?"

With mixed emotions, I had to reply with the truth..."the greatest team in hockey history."

At one point, Les Glorieux were fading into a realm unknown to them, that being a poorly managed team with no inspiration throughout the organization, and have quickly turned things around by surrounding themselves with sound ownership, excellent management and a fan base that supports them but will not accept futility.

Sadly, I wish I was referring to the once great Toronto Maple Leafs when my son asked the question. With MLSE running the show, I'm not sure things will ever turn around. Hopefully, this kick at the can of rebuilding bears some fruit down the road. I would love nothing more than to share a future with my children supporting the Leafs, but the current regime has left me jaded to the point where I may never return to support them. Like one's first love, they will always have that special place in my heart, but with time, those memories are fading too quickly.

[Eoin Kenny]

Those suits always have their finger to the wind ... Sadly, I wish they'd pull their fingers out of somewhere, but it ain't the wind.

[Ian]

Really? Does it not get boring posting negative criteria about this team every day? We know the team is rudderless and with no plan. Is that really what sells papers? Why not concentrate on some of the positives for once. I know you openly despise the fact that Schenn is still on the pro roster but he's played pretty damn good for a 19 year old. This guys is NO Jeff Ware. How bout the abilities of Kulemin. Or if you really need to get into controversy why not get into the benching of Stajan. No more of this bashing ownership. We know it all stinks. Is that really what you need to write about to feed the pirhanas?

[chris]

Do get over yourself, Eric.

First, the Leafs won`t be winning the Stanley Cup for a long, long time. And second, contrary to what you think, Damien is one of the best sports columnists in Canada. If he leaves his job it will be of his own free will, not from his employers thinking he does a crappy job.

[Dave Russell]

I'vefelt all along that there were better guys than Burke available.

[Kevin Fauth]

What is wrong with what Fletcher is doing? I would continue to let him carry out his plan.

[Peter]

Maybe we should just give Fletcher a chance to develop Joe Neweduik adn forget about Brian Burke, Joe is a Whitby boy, has the smarts and knows the game. Home grown talent hmmmmm?

[Ian]

I'm still confused as to why Burke is considered this great GM. He did an average job in Vancouver, and Anaheim was mainly constructed by Bryan Murray. I see more of the same nonsense if he comes to Toronto.

[iceman184]

this infatuation with brian burke is disgusting, the only reason the toronto media wants him is for soundbytes, this guy is overrated, he won a cup in a mediocre league. Cox you and your man-crush for brian burke has reached insane levels, why don't you just propose to him. Burke is a wannabe Don cherry, a bunch of guys who were scrubs as players, and have taken that anger out towards more highly-skilled european players and people that enjoy seeing high scoring hockey. People need to put away the anoninting oil away for Brian Burke, he isnt the second coming of ghandi, mlk, or mother theresa, he's just a loud mouth wannabe. Also if Burke is hired as gm, who's gonna wanna play for him, thugs like bertuzzi, you want a roster full of thugs that are suspended half the time.

[Garnet Kadey]

Only two questions need be asked.

1. Would the new franchise may a healthy profit

2. Would there be a full house for all home games.

If the answer is probable "yes" to both questions. Then, let's go for it.