All quiet on the Leaf front. But why?

[Zee]

Burke was just on prime time sports. Trades are brewing according to him. He said something to the effect that there's a remote possibility the team as we see it now doesn't change before October. He says there are deals to be made.

What you've just written is really contradictory.  Did he say that he might be done, or did he say he's going to make the deals that are "to be made"?

No it's not. He was asked if the team on paper now is the one that will start the season and he said that's very remote. (Paraphrasing can't remember his exact quote)

He said there's a lot of chatter and he believes he can make deals to upgrade at both center and in net.

They tiptoed around the Luongo deal without ever naming him and Burke said the price was too high.

 

[princedpw]

To this point, my son is 7 years old as are all his friends. All of his friend's dads are Leafs fans (except for me of course) nonetheless none of those boys care about the Leafs. They love hockey but at that age they want to watch winners and now that they are able to watch the playoffs and follow along they are fans of the teams who win or advance in the playoffs. I have 7 year olds coming over to the house telling me how much they love the Predators and their cool yellow uniforms cause they get to see them in the playoffs.

When I ask them about the Leafs they all laugh hysterically and say the Leafs suck and they are the worst team in the league. These kids are the future of hockey fans in the GTA and they don't care about a losing team.

That's a phase. I went through a phase when I was younger when I hated the Leafs and actively rooted against them. It was a dark time, but one I ultimately grew out of.

The Leafs will always be the biggest game in town and eventually MLSE will start winning and all of the kids who root for other teams will become diehard Leafs fans.

Kids that age don't want to be ridiculed for cheering a loser team.  They'd be the laughingstock of their class.  So, to avoid that they associate with winners.  But once the Leafs are back in the playoffs, everyone will be back on board.

I hear where you are coming from. But my point was more to the point that they NEVER were on board. As long as these kids have been alive the Leafs have missed the playoffs. Now are their formative years as a fan and if they find an affinity for another team while the Leafs toil away, it might be hard to win them back. Especially in this technological era where they can watch and follow their favourite team no matter where they play or where the fan is.

The last thing I'm worried about is Toronto maple leaf fan support levels.  My brother signed up to be on the waiting list for season tickets a few years ago.  The expected wait time was 40 years or something like that. So let's continue this chat then.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

How many fans here DON'T believe that the Leafs will be a better team in 2-3 years time, if not next season? I guess it's those type of fans that can't see the forest from the trees that cant understand the process. All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening. For those of you who expect to have a much better team now, forget it. No big name signings (except for a possible goaltender?) No quick fixes. No spend to the cap. The process is long and excruciating, but mud slinging won't change it. It's not a process we're used to in TO, and some people will give up, get angry, point fingers, and even jump ship I'm sure. Anyways, that's my rant for the day....

Burke's been the GM now for what, 4 years?

I have a hard time giving him a pat on the back for starting to lead this team in the right direction after so long. 4 years in and we're talking about being a competitive team in another 2-3 years?

It's almost as if they would've been fine with any old super patient, tank and draft type guy. I know I'd still say we're looking like a good team 2-3 years down the road with our current prospects plus Seguin, Hamilton and Knight. The team would have more Cap dollars to woo big FA's when they're needed and would have franchise top-line type talent.

The reason this wasn't done is because Burke needed to show everyone that he could do it better. He was completely wrong, and I doubt he manages to save his job. I really hope I'm wrong because it'll mean the team I love is successful, but I don't believe that's how things will go down.

 

[Madferret]

How many fans here DON'T believe that the Leafs will be a better team in 2-3 years time, if not next season? I guess it's those type of fans that can't see the forest from the trees that cant understand the process. All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening. For those of you who expect to have a much better team now, forget it. No big name signings (except for a possible goaltender?) No quick fixes. No spend to the cap. The process is long and excruciating, but mud slinging won't change it. It's not a process we're used to in TO, and some people will give up, get angry, point fingers, and even jump ship I'm sure. Anyways, that's my rant for the day....

I would assume that if Burke misses the playoffs again this year he's done. The only way he can significantly improve the team via a trade would gut the 1-2 decent prospects in the organization & draft picks. I doubt he lasts the year.

 

[maplesyrup]

If I didn't know any better, I'd conclude folks have already thrown in the towel for the 2012/2013 season... On July 3.  :-\ Can I get a GO LEAFS GO!?

No? Okay... Carry on.

 

[#1PilarFan]

Burke was just on prime time sports. Trades are brewing according to him. He said something to the effect that there's a remote possibility the team as we see it now doesn't change before October. He says there are deals to be made.

What you've just written is really contradictory.  Did he say that he might be done, or did he say he's going to make the deals that are "to be made"?

Burke said that there is very little chance (a remote possibility) that the team we see now is the team he starts the season with.

Nonis, Poulin and now Burke clearly like the trade market, for whatever reason, as they seem to think they can improve the team there. Burke said that they have no interest in unproven goaltenders (I'm guessing he's referring to a guy like Bernier) because they already have that - instead, ideally, he'd like to add a veteran who can start and give Reimer/etc a chance to develop at their own pace.

He also believes a #1 centre and a #1 goaltender can be acquired through trades.

I found that interview to be encouraging because at least he admits that this team kind of sucks. He's acknowledged the holes on the roster - something, that in the past, I think he has avoided. Now, he may be doing that purely because everyone and their grandmother can see the holes and pretending like they don't exist serves no purpose, but still, I'm at least semi-optimistic he'll make a trade to improve the team and finally give us playoff hockey.

 

[PG]

All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening.

Hasn't Burke turned down pretty good draft picks on 2 separate occasions for Clarke MacArthur? IIRC, Burke even said so himself on one of those occasions (I could be "misremembering").

Anyway, doesn't seem like a true rebuild to me. Trading MacArthur at the deadline, who was acquired for nothing, would be textbook rebuilding to me. I like the guy and all but it's not like he would be a vital cog on a playoff team, he of the 0 career playoff games. Could have sold high on an asset that was picked up for nothing.

 

[PG]

Burke was just on prime time sports. Trades are brewing according to him. He said something to the effect that there's a remote possibility the team as we see it now doesn't change before October. He says there are deals to be made.

What you've just written is really contradictory.  Did he say that he might be done, or did he say he's going to make the deals that are "to be made"?

Burke said that there is very little chance (a remote possibility) that the team we see now is the team he starts the season with.

Nonis, Poulin and now Burke clearly like the trade market, for whatever reason, as they seem to think they can improve the team there. Burke said that they have no interest in unproven goaltenders (I'm guessing he's referring to a guy like Bernier) because they already have that - instead, ideally, he'd like to add a veteran who can start and give Reimer/etc a chance to develop at their own pace.

I listened to the entire interview on my way home. He was pretty emphatic about acquiring a veteran starting goalie. McCown WAS asking about Bernier in a sneaky way and Burke shot it down right away.

He also believes a #1 centre and a #1 goaltender can be acquired through trades.

To me it sounded like he was professing that he will undoubtedly acquire both. On one hand, we know it may not mean much as what he says, and what he does, are often two completely different things.

On the other hand, it worries me a bit that he might try for a home run to save his job. Like the poster a few posts above, I am certain he's gone if they miss the playoffs this year.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening.

Hasn't Burke turned down pretty good draft picks on 2 separate occasions for Clarke MacArthur? IIRC, Burke even said so himself on one of those occasions (I could be "misremembering").

Anyway, doesn't seem like a true rebuild to me. Trading MacArthur at the deadline, who was acquired for nothing, would be textbook rebuilding to me. I like the guy and all but it's not like he would be a vital cog on a playoff team, he of the 0 career playoff games. Could have sold high on an asset that was picked up for nothing.

Weren't we somewhat close to a playoff spot at the deadline though?

Seems to me Burke was trying to give himself the best chance to get into the playoffs without adding or subtracting from the roster. He wasn't a buyer, but didn't want to be a seller.

I think it was a bad strategy, as we could've acquired some assets and a higher pick (although we would've picked Rielly anyway right  :-X). It was clear to many at the deadline that this team wasn't good enough to stand pat. Now with the trade for JVR, McClement in the fold, and Komarov seemingly in the mix, there are definitely roster moves that are needed. Whether it's a trade of Connolly/Lombardi/Brown/Mac or a couple of those guys being waved (although if the cap space isn't being used I don't really see the point). So I agree if there was actually an offer of a 1st (somewhat doubt it) then he should've been gone.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

On the other hand, it worries me a bit that he might try for a home run to save his job. Like the poster a few posts above, I am certain he's gone if they miss the playoffs this year.

There have been other comments (Nonis maybe?) from Leafs management though that they are not interested in sacrificing the future for the sake of a short-term thing.  Something like that anyways.

But really the home run should only worry you if it's a bad trade.  He could pull off a great deal for us that doesn't ruin the team in the future, too.  I don't think it needs to be necessarily negative.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

To me it sounded like he was professing that he will undoubtedly acquire both.

That's a stretch chief, he was saying there are deals out there that can be made, but he was nowhere close to guaranteeing it.

 

[PG]

To me it sounded like he was professing that he will undoubtedly acquire both.

That's a stretch chief, he was saying there are deals out there that can be made, but he was nowhere close to guaranteeing it.

He didn't guarantee a 1st line centre but he certainly implied he will be acquiring one. That's the way I heard it anyway. Doesn't mean I believe him anyway. Besides, "upgrading at Centre" are very subjective words.

 

[rdowdall]

How many fans here DON'T believe that the Leafs will be a better team in 2-3 years time, if not next season? I guess it's those type of fans that can't see the forest from the trees that cant understand the process. All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening. For those of you who expect to have a much better team now, forget it. No big name signings (except for a possible goaltender?) No quick fixes. No spend to the cap. The process is long and excruciating, but mud slinging won't change it. It's not a process we're used to in TO, and some people will give up, get angry, point fingers, and even jump ship I'm sure. Anyways, that's my rant for the day....

My rant has nothing to do with where the Leafs will be in the next 2-3 years.  My rant has to do with where the Leafs are today.  Burke has presided over this team for the last 3.5 years.  They are not in a better position today than they were 3.5 years ago.  My point was that Dean Lombardi managed to significantly improve the team he was running in 4 years . Why can't the Leafs have a management team that provides that kind of improvement within the same time period.

Also, interesting point.  For all those that are pointing to the prospect pool being so much better, we all realize that the only Burke draft pick that has played for this team over the last 3.5 years is Nazem Kadri.  1 prospect that Burke has drafted over the last 3.5 years has played for this team.  I guess technically it could be 2 as Gardiner was a Burke pick with the Anahiem ducks, but that seems to be a low number for a team that is supposed to have a decent prospect pool. 

I'm just going to say it again.  Burke has only done a so-so job to this point.  I know all of you that have blue and white coloured classes on read that as me saying that Burke is worthless and that he should be fired, but really, all I am saying is that this management team should have been able to perform better over the last couple of years.  Their margin for error is extremely small.  They cannot make mistakes any more.

 

[Corn Flake]

How many fans here DON'T believe that the Leafs will be a better team in 2-3 years time, if not next season? I guess it's those type of fans that can't see the forest from the trees that cant understand the process. All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening. For those of you who expect to have a much better team now, forget it. No big name signings (except for a possible goaltender?) No quick fixes. No spend to the cap. The process is long and excruciating, but mud slinging won't change it. It's not a process we're used to in TO, and some people will give up, get angry, point fingers, and even jump ship I'm sure. Anyways, that's my rant for the day....

I would assume that if Burke misses the playoffs again this year he's done. The only way he can significantly improve the team via a trade would gut the 1-2 decent prospects in the organization & draft picks. I doubt he lasts the year.

if Bryan Murray can survive, anyone can.  Oh wait we don't have a mad man owning our team. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

To me it sounded like he was professing that he will undoubtedly acquire both.

That's a stretch chief, he was saying there are deals out there that can be made, but he was nowhere close to guaranteeing it.

He didn't guarantee a 1st line centre but he certainly implied he will be acquiring one. That's the way I heard it anyway. Doesn't mean I believe him anyway. Besides, "upgrading at Centre" are very subjective words.

He spoke very specifically about what he thinks the teams needs are, but when it came to asking him if they will get done. He said it's possible and they believe they can, but it will depend on the price, they are not going to sell the farm for marginal upgrades.

 

[PG]

On the other hand, it worries me a bit that he might try for a home run to save his job. Like the poster a few posts above, I am certain he's gone if they miss the playoffs this year.

There have been other comments (Nonis maybe?) from Leafs management though that they are not interested in sacrificing the future for the sake of a short-term thing.  Something like that anyways.

But really the home run should only worry you if it's a bad trade.  He could pull off a great deal for us that doesn't ruin the team in the future, too.  I don't think it needs to be necessarily negative.

I tend to believe GMs making job-saving deals usually end up on the wrong side of them. (Admittedly, I will never forget JFJ trading a 2nd rounder for an injured Perrault so that doesn't help.)

But what, other than "future", can they possibly trade to upgrade the team?

 

[Corn Flake]

On the other hand, it worries me a bit that he might try for a home run to save his job. Like the poster a few posts above, I am certain he's gone if they miss the playoffs this year.

There have been other comments (Nonis maybe?) from Leafs management though that they are not interested in sacrificing the future for the sake of a short-term thing.  Something like that anyways.

But really the home run should only worry you if it's a bad trade.  He could pull off a great deal for us that doesn't ruin the team in the future, too.  I don't think it needs to be necessarily negative.

I tend to believe GMs making job-saving deals usually end up on the wrong side of them. (Admittedly, I will never forget JFJ trading a 2nd rounder for an injured Perrault so that doesn't help.)

But what, other than "future", can they possibly trade to upgrade the team?

I don't really think Burke cares about saving his job. 

If he did he would have done a lot more a lot sooner and he hasn't really done anything that looks like a Yannic Perreault for a 2nd round pick move.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

On the other hand, it worries me a bit that he might try for a home run to save his job. Like the poster a few posts above, I am certain he's gone if they miss the playoffs this year.

There have been other comments (Nonis maybe?) from Leafs management though that they are not interested in sacrificing the future for the sake of a short-term thing.  Something like that anyways.

But really the home run should only worry you if it's a bad trade.  He could pull off a great deal for us that doesn't ruin the team in the future, too.  I don't think it needs to be necessarily negative.

I tend to believe GMs making job-saving deals usually end up on the wrong side of them. (Admittedly, I will never forget JFJ trading a 2nd rounder for an injured Perrault so that doesn't help.)

But what, other than "future", can they possibly trade to upgrade the team?

I guess it depends on the deal, but I was thinking it's always possible a trade happens with some prospects where you end up with a player who can still help the team for years to come.  In that sense you would be giving up 'future' but also getting maybe a more established player who can help into the future.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

I guess it depends on the deal, but I was thinking it's always possible a trade happens with some prospects where you end up with a player who can still help the team for years to come.  In that sense you would be giving up 'future' but also getting maybe a more established player who can help into the future.

In the trade market, this seems to be the deals that the Leafs have been making. Sure, he has to eat a contract here and there, but he's been getting younger with what has been coming our way consistently.

 

[Madferret]

How many fans here DON'T believe that the Leafs will be a better team in 2-3 years time, if not next season? I guess it's those type of fans that can't see the forest from the trees that cant understand the process. All signs are pointing to the fact that Burke is going the route of a typical rebuild now. For those of you who wanted that, it's happening. For those of you who expect to have a much better team now, forget it. No big name signings (except for a possible goaltender?) No quick fixes. No spend to the cap. The process is long and excruciating, but mud slinging won't change it. It's not a process we're used to in TO, and some people will give up, get angry, point fingers, and even jump ship I'm sure. Anyways, that's my rant for the day....

,

I would assume that if Burke misses the playoffs again this year he's done. The only way he can significantly improve the team via a trade would gut the 1-2 decent prospects in the organization & draft picks. I doubt he lasts the year.

Bryan Murray can survive, anyone can.  Oh wait we don't have a mad man owning our team.

No - but I bet you wish you did right about now.