As Brian Burke stepped down as the GM of the Anaheim Ducks yesterday, all eyes turned to the Maple Leafs, who were practicing in Calgary, as if to say "Well, your move."
Burke has slipped into a role titled "Senior Advisor," which in plain English means he will be helping the new General Manager ease into the seat, while sliding out of the picture. According to many insiders, Burke will also be allowed to pursue other job opportunities elsewhere throughout the rest of the season.
So, it would seem natural, that any day now the Maple Leafs will announce Burke as their new GM. In fact, everyone but the Maple Leafs and Burke, are doing all they can to make it seem natural.
Mike Zeisberger reports in the Toronto Sun today that the GM search, which was reportedly off until this summer, is back in full swing. Richard Peddie even went as far as to say that hiring a GM midseason wasn't out of the question.
I guess that settles it. Someone paint his parking space and get him a house (maybe Mats Sundin's Toronto digs, conveniently up for sale).
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It seems everyone has drawn the conclusion that the Maple Leafs and their long suffering fans may even get a Christmas present in the form of Brian Burke being handed the reins.
But, as it turns out, these next couple months could define the future of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
And with the odd timing of the Burke announcement, he may have put the Leafs (unintentionally) in a tough spot.
Should the Maple Leafs, as early as today, begin an aggressive pursuit of Burke? Or should they wait until the summer?
Well, right now there is technically only one open GM spot and that is here in Toronto. Waiting until the summer means more teams may be looking for a GM, hence the competition for Burke would be far steeper.
But, if you lock him up now, who is to say that one of the free agent GMs this summer won't be just as, if not more qualified than Burke to run this club?
Certainly, we're speaking strictly hypothetically, but let's say the Leafs hire Burke tomorrow.
Then this summer the arguably smarter Ken Holland opts to leave Detroit. Highly unlikely, I know, but stranger things could happen. Plus, you would think Holland might have the inside track on impending free agent superstar Henrik Zetterberg?
Like I said, this is totally hypothetical and more of a dream scenario than anything else, but it's not completely impossible. There are plenty of young, bright men in Detroit ready to take the GM's chair. Guys like Jim Nill and Steve Yzerman would be possibilities. What stops Holland (or one of the guys mentioned) from leaving the Motor City in search of opportunity?
One could argue that it's a good problem to have, but right now the Maple Leafs must do a delicate dance in order to find the GM they want and, more importantly, the one who best fits the vision of this team.
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about 1 month ago
So the Leafs should waffle on a relative slam-dunk, in the hopes that someone comparable "might" become available in the summer?
Seriously, if money is no object why would you risk losing a quality NHL exec in the hopes that you might find one slightly better or marginally cheaper?
about 1 month ago
Yeah I agree fully, but it would be just the Leafs luck to have someone like a Ken Holland become available.
Still, I know what you're saying, and I agree. And talking to good friend Darren Dreger yesterday, the Leafs will pursue Burke the moment the paper work is filed, which will be by early next week.
BTW, I said nothing about cheaper. The Leafs should spare no expense. We all know they have it.
about 1 month ago
No, the Leafs luck was having no one to talk to when they needed a quality Exec.
Burke/Wilson for the next 4 seasons would be as good or better than any GM/coach tandem in the league.
(and a nightmare for Toronto media-types)
about 1 month ago
I see what you're saying, but the Leafs were so infatuated this past summer with Burke (of whom they couldn't speak too..legally at least) that they missed out on someone like Doug Armstrong, who is a very smart GM.
about 1 month ago
The possibility of the Leafs waiting is not even worth considering.
The Leafs have had their eyes squared firmly on Burke for quite a while now and have even made moves with him in mind. I would even go as far as saying that he may have even been indirectly involved in the decisions to bring in Ron Wilson, Al Coates, and decisions involving Luke Schenn. (Drafting him AND keeping him at the NHL level)
I know you'll probably read this and laugh about conspiracy theories but i'm not naive enough to believe that the Leafs have not spoken to Burke prior to him being released a few days ago even if it was indirectly. Ron Wilson was hired to be the Leaf coach on June 10 and saw Burke at his daughter's wedding in July. Do you really think that NOTHING was said?
I have written ONE article here and that was five months ago:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/28708-cliff-fletcher-a-puppet-for-brian-burke-in-toronto
Enough said?
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