Not Gonna Conform

Cue the Frank Sinatra tune. Brian Burke will do it his way in Toronto, and when it works, or when it doesn't, he'll have no regrets at the end of the day.

The tradtionalists in the game, or those without imagination who believe a championship team can only be built one way, are either pulling their hair out over Burke's insistence on developing his own methods for constructing a winner in the salary cap era, or tut-tutting him for refusing to buy into their philosophies.

You just gotta love that.

So, with the announcement, "The Boston Bruins are proud to select Tyler Seguin" still ringing in their air, with people still insisting that Burke's decision to trade two first rounders for Phil Kessel was pure insanity, what does the Leaf general manager do but go out and buy another player at the cost of more futures.

This is a GM who just loves to thumb his nose at conventional wisdom.

Forget patiently stockpiling picks and prospects. Burke says he wants to win now with a team that finished 29th out of 30 NHL clubs last year and isn't particularly interested in whether you or I or anyone thinks he's doing it properly. He's not out to convince anybody of anything. He's just doing what he wants, doing what he thinks will bring a winner to Toronto under the new set of industry rules established after the lockout of 2004-05 that many in the business still refuse to acknowledge have changed everything.

The altered nature of the business is why Leaf fans are rejoicing this morning over the acquisition of winger Kris Versteeg from Chicago, and rightly so. He's a legitimate scorer with some bite in his game, and while he's overpaid at $3 million because of a procedural screwup by the Hawks last summer, he played with that salary last season and played hard. He's mouthy and competes hard and will fit right in with what the Leafs are trying to build.

Call him the anti-Matt Stajan, if you want.

"We paid a high price," said Burke this morning. "But we are pleased to add a player of this quality, and a top prospect (Bill Sweatt, who also came in the deal with Versteeg).

"Immediate help, as well as some future."

But Versteeg wasn't available because the Leafs know something the Hawks don't. He was available because of the salary cap system, and understand, there was a cost. Viktor Stalberg, we know, can play in the league. If this was last September after Stalberg had gone wild in the pre-season Leaf fans would be screaming bloody murder. But he's a young player still learning to be a pro and still learning to compete.

Chris DiDomenico was a good player on the 2009 Canadian national junior team that won gold in Ottawa, a scrappy, trash-talking and slightly undersized right winger who might turn into Versteeg in a few years. His main problem is a busted femur suffered in the spring of 2009 which held him out most of last season and could hamper his development as a pro.

And Phillipe Paradis? Never saw him, at least not as a Leaf prospect. He was picked up from Carolina for Jiri Tlusty as Burke sought to replace Euros with hardnosed Canadians in the Leaf system, and Burke had an inkling that Chicago liked him in his draft year and might like him still.

Out of Stalberg, DiDomenico and Paradis, two might play. Stalberg could be a 25-goal man if he learns how to compete every night, which is what Versteeg is already.

So like the Kessel deal, Burke is trading maybes and even blue-chip prospects for players who have already proven they can do it and have yet to reach their prime. Stalberg and DiDomenico were sixth round picks, Paradis a late first rounder, and moving them to get a proven 20-goal scorer off a Stanley Cup winning roster is a vivid illustration that there are many different ways to both acquire assets and move them.

Yes, Burke has given up lots of pieces to get Kessel, Versteeg and Dion Phaneuf. But all three are under 25 years of age. This isn't George Allen with the 1970s Over The Hill Gang in Washington with the Redskins. Phaneuf isn't Billy Kilmer. Burke is moving young players and prospects to get young players, and very new style of transaction ushered in by the salary cap.

The Leafs have been nothing but bad ever since Burke arrived in late November, 2008, of that there is no question. But in making more big deals than any GM since that time, Burke has shown an ability to identify distress points with other teams and capitalize. He did that with Kessel, who the Bruins couldn't  or wouldn't afford to pay, although critics of that deal might argue Boston GM Peter Chiarelli victimized Burke, not the other way around.

Burke identified trouble in Calgary that led to the availability of Phaneuf, and knew that while Chicago had cleared necessary cap space from their championship roster by dealing Dustin Byfuglien and others to Atlanta, they had more money that had to be moved. Andrew Ladd, by the way, may also have to go, and has a championship team ever been dismantled so quickly? This, again, is a product of the salary cap system where a player's ability must be combined with his salary to establish a market value that often confounds hockey logic.

You can argue about any one of these Leaf deals. But you cannot disagree with the fact that when Burke arrived the Leafs had no plan and no core, and now they are North American-based and trying to build an ornery team, and that in Kessel, Versteeg, Phaneuf, Luke Schenn, Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and Jonas Gustafsson there is an identifiable core. Moreover, despite the howling over Seguin, etc, the Leafs still have the youngest team in the league, although the Oilers might take that mantle once Steve Tambellini finishes hacking away at the Edmonton roster.

Tomas Kaberle is yet to be dealt, and players who might be offered to the Leafs include Ryan Malone (Tampa) and Andy McDonald (St. Louis), according to the rumour mill. Burke loves to daydream there's a way he could pry Brayden Schenn away from the Kings, and depending on how the Ilya Kovalchuk sweepstakes unfold, Kaberle might help him do that.

So thumbs up or down on the Versteeg deal? Don't overrate the ex-Hawk, but he's better than anything that went the other way, and it was a deal the Hawks had to do, not the Leafs, which suggests the risk is mostly one way. If Stalberg blossoms, the Leafs could regret the deal, but otherwise it looks like the Phaneuf deal, a player acquired for pieces Toronto can live without.

Comments

[Jason]

Good article Damian. I agree with your points. When Burke came in, it was believed that the cupboards were bare, and it was going to be really difficult to rebuild the leafs.

Since he's been here, aside from Kaberle, Kulemin and Grabowski is there anyone left from the old roster? Keep at it Brian!

[Russ]

Interesting-- during the 2 weeks of the year that you actually feign to care about tennis, you're very quick to condemn Roger Federer-- the player with the most major titles in tennis history-- for doing it his way. However, Burke and the Leafs-- who've won nothing-- get kudos for doing it their way?

[Matthew]

I agree with your article, Damian. Burke made an aggressive trade to acquire a known commodity (and a potential) for an unknown commodity (and two potentials). And it's not like the Leafs are acquiring old, past-their-prime type players either. These are young guys, coming into their prime who can develop with the Buds.

All signs point to the positive in this deal!

[Devil's Advocate]

Good entry Cox. I don't always agree with Burke's methods but at least he seems to have a clear plan and is sticking to it. Something I couldn't say of recent Leaf GM's. I think its a fair deal for both teams. Trading a 19, 21 and 24yo for a 21 and 24yo where you get the best player (as of today at least)doesn't really feel like you are trading your future away.

By the way, you failed to mention that the leafs also got a prospect in Billy Sweatt in return. He's aparently projected to be a top 6 forward. Here's a little blurb I found on him:

"Sweatt has unbelievable speed, but what sets him apart is his ability to make plays at high speeds. He also has great acceleration. Sweatt possesses great hands and is smart in his decisions with the puck. Rarely can he be found turning the puck over. Sweatt's superb defensive play and awareness is one area that has progressed quite nicely this season, and has made him an effective penalty killer. Sweatt also possesses excellent on-ice vision and has a keen sense of being able to find open spaces and knowing where the play is going to end up. While Sweatt has all of the necessary tools for future success, adding size and strength to his 6'0" frame will be essential to his pursuit of achieving that success."

Overall i think it's at least a fair trade for leafs but with so many young players invloved its a situation that will need time to be properly assessed.

[James Jack]

I don't understand this deal. Stahlberg looked very much like the real deal to me and what's the difference between Versteeg and Stempniak whom the Leafs let go but could have re-signed? Don't mind giving away prospects, but again I don't think anyone believes that Stahlberg will be anything but a stud in this league. Speed and size are difficult commodities to find anywhere and this kid has both.

[Mike Z (in Australia )]

Man, i hope this works....

[Padre]

Damien,
Good article but, unless I missed it, you didn't mention Sweatt. He could also be the sleepr as part of this deal. He was a high 2nd round pick who is known to have wheels and smarts. He had 100 points in 140 games in College. I am surprised theat Chicago let an Illinois boy go the other way. I'd like to have seen a Kyle Beech in the deal a player I think the Leafs would like.

[Dan]

Good article. Don't forget, though, that the Leafs picked up an early 2nd rounder in Bill Sweatt. It's not like Burke only gave up prospects as he got one back in addition to an established top 6 forward.

[greg]

And....this weekend he is also going to walk in the Pride parade -- despite the homophobic sport world he works in. This man -- love him or hate him -- is a class act, a man of his convictions and it is so good to have someone in charge of this team who can be respected and trusted. Now if we can just get rid of the Teachers Pension Fund....

[Keith Brenneman]

At the end of the day, can you really win a cup with a guys like Stalberg? The Hawks and Flyers were finalists because they had grit and grind. Guys like Stalberg, Stajan (and yes, Kaberle) disappear in playoff hockey.

[Dave in BG]

Good article

For those who wish to rip the deal, ask yourself this. If the deal was turned around and the Leafs traded a 24 year old proven 20 goal scorer fplus a high second round pick, for these unproven prospects, you would be ripping Burke for trading the known for the unknown. You would be bashing him for gutting the team (lol) of one of its few scorers......

[Matt]

@greg What exactly is so bad about the Pension Fund? The Leafs have always been at the top of the NHL in spending pre and post cap. Spending has never been the problem but rather how the money has been spent by the GM's. So how exactly would someone think the Pension Fund is sabotaging the club's performance?

[Conn Smythe]

'Interesting-- during the 2 weeks of the year that you actually feign to care about tennis, you're very quick to condemn Roger Federer-- the player with the most major titles in tennis history-- for doing it his way. However, Burke and the Leafs-- who've won nothing-- get kudos for doing it their way?'

Cox is talking about Burke building the Leafs 'his' way -Burke hasn't even been in charge of the Leafs for 2 years (so criticizing him for winning nothing is a bit premature), so what is the point you are trying to make, Russ?

[Mark]

I really hate losing Stalberg and predict that next season he will have more points than Kris Versteeg. Leafs lose a highly talented European player in Stalberg. The Leafs get slower and smaller......The Leafs have no size on their top 2 lines.....which I believe is a big problem. But I must admit is is good to have a character player from the Stanley cup Champs, but sorry to say we over paid.
The only way we win this trade is if Sweatt surprises and becomes a future top six player for the Leafs.

[Jim McDonagh]

You mention in your article that Burke has made more big deals than any GM -What about Bob Gainy last season changing half his roster? Burke could have had Mike Cammalleri last year and kept all his draft choices - Seguin would have looked good on any Leaf team, Chiarelli left Burke holding the bag. Stalberg was one of the few bright lights on last years team. I believe your article is tailored for the suit types that attend Leaf games.

[Big Al]

At 24 and unable to secure a fixed position on the 29th place team, is it fair to still call Stalberg a prospect ?
But at 24, with back-to-back 20+ goal seasons on the 3rd line of the Cup winners, Versteeg is a known quantity ? The insinuation is that Versteeg has plateaued while Victor has more potential.
Of the other 3 who is the best propect ?

[Rydyas]

I believe this to be a good deal for both teams. Versteeg is only 24 and already has 2 seasons of 20+ goals. And that was done with third line minutes. I would like to have seen what stalberg could do but I'm happy with this trade. Burke has done a great job since he's been here. He's made this team one of the youngest in the league and he's putting pieces together that will make this team successful. People need to relax alittle. Things are coming together and the Leafs will be a very competitive team soon!!

[Gene]

Hate to lose Stalberg, but overall this one looks positive. At least there seems to be a plan - something sorely missing from previous regimes.

[OL]

It is ridiculous to think that Versteeg has platued. ON a team like chicago, there are only so many goals to go around. YOu take a 24 year old who has won the cup plus a prospect for 3 mid range prospects. Hey, I liked Stalberg, but I thnk he was a case of overated in Toronto. Hes no grinder, doesnt use his size and The Leafs win this trade even if Sweat (is that pronounced sweet?) never plays. Burke is a monster.

[David Cattapan]

Time for now. look at the raps and the jays ... going the wrong way and the way of the dinosaur by losing their stars ... at least Burke is doing something to try to build a winner here. Get rid of the non-doers and get somebody in that does!

[Cal White]

Enjoyed the article, Damien, but did you have to date us BOTH with the Redskins reference? :-)

[Steve C]

You're right, Burke thumbs his nose at conventional wisdom - including the wisdom that you try to 'win' some trades.

[rudd]

Even though i like Kadri, Burke's first mistake was as soon as he got here, he should have tried to lose to get Duchene in the draft rather than win and pick up guys like gerber

i like the phaneuf and Versteeg trades, he basically gave up nothing so far, but still dont like the Kessel deal as a another possible awesome first rounder could go along with sequin

[phyceter]

Had to happen, as Stalberg wasn't drafted by Burke, and after his quip about wanting to be somewhere that Phaneuf doesn't talk, he signed his ticket out of town.

This is another case where Burke traded a high-risk/high-upside quantity (Stalberg here, draft picks for Kessel) for something more known. This is the wrong approach for the Leafs, who are at rock bottom. They need maximum potential upside (read: risk) to win a cup. Burke's low-risk quick-fix strategy may get them in the playoffs, and they may win a round, but that's likely it.

But Burke is just being Burke. You have to blame those who hired him, as it is they who (a) were like the newbie investor who bought into last year's winning fund manager, and (b) were desperate and couldn't resist the fool's gold quick-fix story that Burke sold them on.

I expect nothing but mediocrity until Burke is gone. Let's hope he resigns.

[Arthur Bailey]

Brayden Schenn? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!

That is one rumour I'll keep my fingers crossed for.