Moose Jaw - As I write this it's not a done deal but by the time you read it, it is likely that my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs have opened the bank vault for overrated general manager Brian Burke.
Don't get me wrong, Burke is not a bad general manager, I just don't think he's worth the Leafs giving him a six-year deal for $3 million-plus per year.
But this is typical of the Leafs in the past 15 years - throwing a lot of money at a problem for someone who may not be worth all that money.
There are many things the Leafs need to do to fix this team that's in a lot of trouble but tossing close to $20 million at it is not the answer.
I have accepted the fact my team will not see the light of the playoffs for the next couple of years. However, I would feel better if I knew there was a plan in place for turning around the team. But there seems to be no plan, just a hodge podge of signings and trades that may or may not help the team.
Quite frankly, for the greatest hockey franchise ever (yes, Canadiens' fans, I hear you but I don't care) the turnaround requires more than a prickly, well-known general manager. The whole franchise needs to be rejigged.
The young talent and the draft picks constantly seem to be turning out to be busts. Meanwhile, Ken Holland (the man I really want for the job) in Detroit, is drafting guys in the late rounds who turn into superstars. The team needs the best scouts (the owners can afford it) and the best talent developers for the youth.
I've now been alive for 33 years and in that time my Leafs have come close but not that close to winning the Stanley Cup. I don't think I'm asking too much to want to see them win one cup before I die. If the team is going to head in that direction, a major change is needed but Brian Burke is not that change.
Jason Small can be reached at 691-1255.
Brian Burke is not the answer to the Leafs woes
-
- Published on November 27th, 2008
- Published on July 10th, 2009
-
Jason Small
Times-Herald
- Number of views : 356
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- Mike
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:59:13
I understand your frustration as a leaf fan, but don't agree with you arguments at all. even if Burke signs for the near 20 million you say I beleive he is well worth the money. Cliff fletcher has made it known that he wants to go back into retirement, therefore his job must be filled and who better than Burke? in my eyes there is no better GM available for the job right now. As for his contract, it seems everyone in the nhl is way overpaid these days so why not a proven quality gm. Besides the leafs have the money to spend, being the leading NHL franchise in revenue generated. However if the leafs were to go out and try to get Ken Holland, how much money do you think he would want? As for the complete franchise rejigling, I kinda think that is in the process. New coach's, GM, president (still looking), scouts and players. the only rejigling left that I see is ownership and I don't see that coming any time soon. As for the trades that might or might not be good.... come on every trade or signing made in any pro sports may or may not be good. Give yourself a little more grey area why don't ya. I blame the leafs current situation on JFJ overpaying for unproven players time and time again. We will be trying to dig ourselves out of his contract mess for several years to come.
