Two Sides of Brian Burke

Impetuous? Or patient? Uber-aggressive? Or willing to let the game come to him?

Twenty-two months into his reign as boss of all that is the Maple Leaf hockey empire, it's still debatable whether Brian Burke is an executive who believes in immediate action at all times or prefers to sit back and wait.

Which probably means he's a bit of both.

His detractors, naturally, will point to the Phil Kessel trade as an example of Burke being unnecessarily aggressive in terms of trying to turn the Leafs into a competitive team. There's no shortage of critics who would have preferred a slow, gradual approach, taking high draft picks rather than grabbed a proven young goal-scorer like Kessel. It's still not exactly clear why Burke felt he had to make that move at that time, rather than waiting a year or two before the Leaf rebuild was further along.

That debate will probably be going on a decade from now.

That Burke's underrated ability to be patient has paid off multiple times in recent months, however, is less discussed. The most recent example would be his decision not to pull the trigger on a deal with Boston that would have given him a bona fide front line forward in Marc Savard.

The Leafs wouldn't have had to give up much, if anything, for Savard, and the fact he's now on the shelf indefinitely suffering from post-concussion syndrome certainly suggests there were reasons why the Bruins were looking to unload him and his contract, which has seven years left to run and more than $28 million owing.

It's a tragedy, really, that a fine player like Savard was injured so badly by a hit for which Matt Cooke received no suspension. The NHL has changed the rules, but that won't help Savard, who might have come back too early in the playoffs last spring.

The Leafs could have had him at any time during the summer, despite denials from Boston GM Peter Chiarelli that Savard was being shopped, and certainly if Burke had made the deal, there would have been no shortage of people who would have applauded him for acquiring the top six forward his team so desperately needs.

But he didn't, deciding instead to wait and see how Savard played through the pre-season. Today, he's undoubtedly thankful he didn't.

He showed that similar patience last season swinging deals for goalie J.S. Giguere and defenceman Dion Phaneuf. Giguere could have been had before Christmas, but the Ducks weren't willing to take back heavy contracts. When the deal finally happened, Anaheim accepted the contracts of both Vesa Toskala and Jason Blake, two players many believed were untradeable.

On Phaneuf, the Flames went back and forth on whether they wanted to move the backliner for weeks, months really. The Leafs were persistent and stealthy in their approach, with no internal leaks, and when the deal came down it was a surprise to the industry, both in the Leafs getting Phaneuf and for what little they had to get him.

None of these deals, of course, have completely played out yet. Phaneuf and Giguere could bomb in Toronto, and Kessel could flourish, or the other way around, or all three may pan out. Savard may return healthy soon and be back to the player he was.

But it's clear Burke has more than one way of doing business. That some see him as always unnecessarily bold verging on rash doesn't jive with the record. 

 

 

Comments

[Leaf fan in Van]

At least he's not JFJ - that GM put the Leafs back at least 3 years, and this is year 2 of that disaster. Instead of going with youth and managing the cap in year one after the lockout, JFJ decided to overpay the Muskoka 5 and trade assets like Rassk and Picks for Raycroft & Toskala. Burke inherited a mess of a team, little on the farm and an aging group. I say this year is a stepping stone and we start to compete in 2011...like I said JFJ set us back at least 3 years!

[Emblem Dear]

How long is this buffoon Burke going to escape the criticism he deserves...noone seems to acknowledge the horrible players he has brought here already...Orr, Primeau, Exelby, Hanson, and 6 more like them.
..."arguably the best defence in the League"..we hear. Too bad we saw none of them at Vancouver Olympics except the unmarketable minus 16 Kaberle.
Now Wilson is the centre shot for failure...while "Brian" is off in the corner "building".
Listen...he has been through 2 drafts and 2 free agent sessions....supine Leaf fans think it takes 5 years to do a rebuild.
Take a look at the Cup winners in the last 7 years...all different teams.....done quickly! Never before has so many swallowed the Kool-Aid.

[JR Jake]

Have you ever looked at the facial symmetry of a person? Very few people have absolutely identical profiles from each side. Ask any scientist. With the differentiation between side views matched to create a 'look', that is what we are composed. Two unidentical profiles depict the differences, albeit rather small, that Brian and others demonstrate.

Being aggressive in the office does not mean you are that way at home. Acting towards an employee versus a family member denotes a rather drastic side to our nature. I would hope that people can learn, including Brian and other GM's, to balance the passive aggressive style of their play so that even handedness, fairness and equity infiltrates the organization.

When this happens there is a cohesiveness which exists that promotes trust within each member of the unit. The style of play that Canadian teams demonstrate is markedly different than US teams, why is that? Is it culture, style of management, personality and character of the person or satisfaction of your surroundings?

As long as there is a 'commitment and passion for excellence', progression usually follows suit. Complacency is like walking in mud, you go nowhere real fast. Life is a learning process. If the team is on board, the fans maintain their enthusiasm and fervor, the management is willing to open their pocket books, positive results usually follow suit in most cases.

Taking risks are part of the game and if status quo is Brian's mantra (and I assume it is not) than complacency will soon become the bedrock for the team as a whole. I like the Leaf's chances for a very good season this year. Wait and see we might all be surprised.

[Gabriel]

In the interest of fairness, Damien, how about you dip into that portfolio of yours and pull out your belief that teams can only be built through the draft, because I'm certain I recall reading a number of articles written by you on that very subject. Why not offer that opinion now?

Anyway, as for the Burke lauding, before the Leafs acquired Savard, their doctors would have done a physical and recognized his post concussion syndrome; count on it. It may even be that the Bruins did't pursue a trade for Savard because they knew that he would be out for awhile, alleviating their cap concerns.

Who know? But I do know, if he can't practice, he probably wouldn't have passed a physical, especially last month or the month before.

[Robert Hutt]

Burke has certainly jumped into the fray, although bluster just doesn't get it done.
It must be very difficult to play in front of the Toronto fans - great expectations and notoriety if you don't produce. The Toronto press corps all of whom seem more capable than 'Burkie' or Wilson put a great deal of this pressure on the team because most of the 'Leaf Nation' don't get into the games, so what they read in the papers and watch on sports news programs is supposed to by the 'skinny'.
Forget it. The buildup Leaf trades bring into Toronto, more often than not, doesn't match the output in a blue and white uniform. Toronto badly needs a coach with the creative talent to put this collection of not bad players into the team mode that can be interesting to watch.

[X-Hockey Fan]

How irrelevent are the Leafs or for that matter is today's hockey? Ever since going to university in the mid-80's I have lost my rooting in the Leafs and have come to realize how hockey has lost its je ne sais quoi, the essence of what made good hockey. We no longer have the elligence of a Montreal Canadiens of the 70's and 80's, nor the true grit and cruelty of a Philidelpia Flyers. Teams no longer have any identity. In fact teams and players have become interchangable, with no distinguishing qualities.

The NHL is flogging a dead horse, in its sport, and would be hoping that the great unwashed do not catch on to its product as with all professaional sport as being nothing more than an opium for the masses. Why should people care about improving the lot of man (and woman) when they can be transfixed on the irrelevent moves of the Brian Burke's of the world? The Toronto Maples Leafs, this team "ain't going" anywhere, so why bother.

[OL]

Burke has been here only 2 years, hasnt had a winning season or made the playoffs and already I would say he is the best Leaf Gm since the 70s. His acquisitions of Kessle and Phaneuf at such young ages is the best thing to ever happen to the Leafs. People will make horrible jokes about Kool-aid, yet a close look into their comments reveals little knowledge of the game. 2 potential superstars under 25 is how you build a team.

[victor Tanti]

Good abservations. This should be a telling year, at least for the coach. I can't imagine he will remain as coach if there isn't some significant improvement. It doesn't necessarily mean a playoff spot but at least in the hunt throughout the year and until the end.

I for one am glad he did not get Savard. It would have contracdicted the youth movement he has been implimenting regardless of the injury. I like the direction of this team because I think there is a definate attitude adjustment over last year. We will see if the excuses start to emerge if the losing starts aplenty.

[Chad]

Emblem Dear: your telling us that the Pens and Hawks both won the cup by building their teams quickly? what league are you watching? both those teams hit rock bottom before they won their championships.
think before you comment numbs nuts!

[mark]

JR Jake, have you been reading too many self help books ;-)..? All I can say is whether you agree with Burke's approach or not you have to agree that he is sticking to his blue print. He's brought in hungry, "truculant" players and created a balanced mix of experience and youthful exuberance. Only time will tell if the formula will produce wins. My only disappointment is that he has yet to land that strength up the middle that this team really needs. Passing on Savard was a good move... but you still need someone and I doubt Kadri is the answer (at least not this year).

[Mustafa Ebadi]

I am a big Brian Burke fan from his days in Vancouver but I am also a bigger Ottawa Senators fan! I can tell you from following Brian Burke, Hockey, and being in management myself that he by far is one of the best managers. He will definitely make the Leafs better!

Lets be realistic every manager makes mistakes and so has Brian but its not about the mistake its about what do you do about that mistake? Brian is very knowledgeable, he is astute, is motivated to have a top team, and knows what he is doing!

God Bless you Brian Burke and God Bless the Ottawa Senators!!!

[Emblem Dear]

Mr Hutt...pleasant piece....but do not agree with the "pressure myth" in Toronto...interest ? yes....pressure? no..
Try playing in Philadelphia, NY or Boston...when the fans are actually in their seats at game time. (novel thought!)
Try the British soccer fans if their teams do not produce.....
Try a South American soccer fan base if their team comes home after a World Cup 0-3 exit...
The Toronto fans are supine...expect defeat and take it.
Players here are noticed.....but not PRESSURED.
This has been a longstanding myth.

[Johnny the Juice]

Lots of well opinionated comments here, very refreshing from the slop being spewed on the Leaf Fans Blog message board. Damien, very insightful, I was hoping you might have time to elaborate in the future on the Savard situation. Why did he come back too early? Management pressure? Any comment from his agent? Who is to blame here? I agree with Gabriel that even if Burke wanted Savard, he would not have cleared the medical.

[kenny dupree hester]

@XHockey Fan

Easy on the hyperbole there...you Burke acolytes make me laugh...

Burke is hardly the best GM the Leafs have had since the 70s (not a lot to choose from granted)

When Burke hits a home run like Fletcher did with the Gilmour trade then you can push that argument but he hasn't come close to that kind of success...Fletcher's trade of Clark (my favourite player and a deal I didn't like but admit was excellent) for Sundin far surpasses anything Burke has done as well.

Only in Burke's dreams could he grab a legitimate star first line centre like Sundin for a Clark-type player.