News Article: Brian Burke: A Winner Off the Ice (THW) - Appreciation Thread
- Thread starter UpsideHockey
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And why do u not agree with this one ? All points made are valid. We have some pretty impressive prospects and solid players now. Under his regime we acquired Phaneuf, Lupul, Kessel, retained graboski, Rielly, Gardiner, Kadri, Liles . If you think having these players as a part of our organization going forward isn't gonna help the future leafs, you're being delusional. Burke deserves 75% percent of the credit for the Canucks recent success, the other 25% belongs to Nonis. All Gillis did was draft Ryan Kesler in a ridiculously stacked draft class.
He set the building blocks in place, its too bad he wont be GM when these players start making an impact.
The Apologist
Apologizing for Leaf garbage since 1979
It's a rule around here. Everything he did sucks, everyone is terrible and no credit must ever be given.
ULF_55
Moderator
Use this thread to express your appreciation.
Use the other threads to debate his merits, and use this thread to say thank you Burkie!
Use the other threads to debate his merits, and use this thread to say thank you Burkie!
The Apologist
Apologizing for Leaf garbage since 1979
Thank you for Kessel/ Phaneuf/ Bozak/ Rielly/ Gardiner/ Lupes.... And I apologize in advance for why is to come.
He Said Espn are a bunce of Idiots who know nothing about hockey,
<3 Burkey your picture will always be forever on my wall.
<3 Burkey your picture will always be forever on my wall.
draeko17
Registered User
- Jul 7, 2007
- 1,216
- 0
Thank you, Mr. Burke.
I am unable to click on those links and read the various articles at the moment, but I will later. Nonetheless, I wanted to contribute, for whatever that's worth, to this thread.
Although somewhat familiar with Burke before he signed on with Toronto, I wasn't sure exactly what to think about it. After these past few years, I have grown to have immense respect for this man. Did everything transaction work out as planned. Of course not. Still, he made some very solid trades (big fan of Kessel) and draft selections, picked up some good "free wallets" (Bozak holds his own with Kessel and Lupul, Gustavsson will likely rebound to be a very capable goalie in Detroit). It mattered not at all to me that Burke carried the persona of being loud and brash and opiniated (is that the Irish in me? lol). I have nothing but respect for his principles, his loyalty, his priorities.
As a long time fan of the Leafs, and now as a fan of Mr. Burke's, I find it very regrettable that it did not work out better, this time with Burke at the helm. But I have no regrets that it happened.
Just my opinion, as I said....for what it's worth.
I am unable to click on those links and read the various articles at the moment, but I will later. Nonetheless, I wanted to contribute, for whatever that's worth, to this thread.
Although somewhat familiar with Burke before he signed on with Toronto, I wasn't sure exactly what to think about it. After these past few years, I have grown to have immense respect for this man. Did everything transaction work out as planned. Of course not. Still, he made some very solid trades (big fan of Kessel) and draft selections, picked up some good "free wallets" (Bozak holds his own with Kessel and Lupul, Gustavsson will likely rebound to be a very capable goalie in Detroit). It mattered not at all to me that Burke carried the persona of being loud and brash and opiniated (is that the Irish in me? lol). I have nothing but respect for his principles, his loyalty, his priorities.
As a long time fan of the Leafs, and now as a fan of Mr. Burke's, I find it very regrettable that it did not work out better, this time with Burke at the helm. But I have no regrets that it happened.
Just my opinion, as I said....for what it's worth.
Despite on-ice failures, your accomplishments off the ice will be remember for a while here in Toronto.
I'll miss you Burkey
Best of luck on your next job.
I think Burke will still be involved with the committee despite not being the leafs GM, the Pride parade, and going to Iraq.
Leafsdude7
Stand-Up Philosopher
I'm not a fan of most of his moves (I was against the Kessel deal as soon as it was announced) and actions that were hockey-related, not the least of which were his many actions against HNIC, but off the ice, he was nothing but class. His activism for the less fortunate and the discriminated were nothing less than commendable, and I hope he continues them here in Toronto. 
I don't agree with everything Burke like how he brought unnecessary media scrutiny upon the Leafs but I appreciated how he stuck to his guns, like not offering cap circumventing contracts (we'll see the pros of this in a few years) and his self-imposed roster freezes approaching Christmas time. He seems like an extremely player friendly GM and I've already read that, had he been in charge, Corey Perry would have heavily considered Toronto given his close relationship with Burkie. At the end of the day his biggest failure was failing to acquire a goaltender (his philosophy is building from the net out) and that led to the disastrous results we've seen during his tenure. I also didn't like the fact he went and got Kris Versteeg instead of Andrew Ladd. Despite all that I do believe he should have been given the opportunity to run out the remainder of his contract and if the team continued to struggle, can him in a more appropriate fashion. Rogers/Bell is already pissing me off the way they're conducting business.
The Podium
Registered User
Were going to miss Burke, dont expect a lot of movement from Nonis. This is who we have going forward, maybe a trade or 2 included.
i've only really enjoyed the leafs while burke and before that quinn were gms.
in between i sucked it up, here's hoping nonis is competant and the bog stays out of hockey operations
in between i sucked it up, here's hoping nonis is competant and the bog stays out of hockey operations
UpsideHockey
Registered User
Why Brian Burke Was Fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs | Maple Leafs Central @ THW
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/mapleleafscentral/why-brian-burke-was-fired-by-the-toronto-maple-leafs/
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/mapleleafscentral/why-brian-burke-was-fired-by-the-toronto-maple-leafs/
The Apologist
Apologizing for Leaf garbage since 1979
Apparently Kadri was the highest pick Burke drafted in his time here.... Hmmmm... Some fact checking might be good here....
FlareKnight
Registered User
Can certainly appreciate his off-ice efforts and what he did in the community.
On the ice results.....no comment.
On the ice results.....no comment.
Paris in Flames
Registered User
- Feb 4, 2009
- 15,903
- 7,935
This. He did far more for the community than any Leafs GM I can remember. He gets a lot of hate because of his big personality but by all accounts, he really is a good guy.
I've never felt so torn on the inside about seeing member of the Leafs go. Hell, my favorite player Sundin didn't rattle me this much.
Gonna miss Burkie for more reasons than I can list. He's still the best GM out there for the Leafs. A shame that he'll be elsewhere soon.
Gonna miss Burkie for more reasons than I can list. He's still the best GM out there for the Leafs. A shame that he'll be elsewhere soon.
There is not many men in sports who supported a community with charity and his willingness to take on tough issues like Burke did here.
Everything from standard charity work, supporting our troops, helping the homeless, to his unprecedented support for gay rights.
He has an amazing legacy off ice while being in Toronto, That not many can match.
Everything from standard charity work, supporting our troops, helping the homeless, to his unprecedented support for gay rights.
He has an amazing legacy off ice while being in Toronto, That not many can match.
Met the man twice. Signed the top of the leaf on my jersey. I feel he did more as an ambassador for this team than most who manned the post.
He built a good minor system, and our prospects are better for it.
We're yet to see the best of Burke's work in Toronto, I believe.
He built a good minor system, and our prospects are better for it.
We're yet to see the best of Burke's work in Toronto, I believe.
UpsideHockey
Registered User
Brian Burke Press Conference: Vintage Burkie by Mark Ritter
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-burke-press-conference-vintage-burkie/
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-burke-press-conference-vintage-burkie/
UpsideHockey
Registered User
Another viewpoint:
Brian Burke Was Too Much for the Toronto Maple Leafs by Stephen Stoneman
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-burke-was-too-much-for-the-toronto-maple-leafs/
On Nonis:
Dave Nonis Has Work Cut Out For Him
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/dave-nonis-has-work-cut-out-for-him/
Brian Burke Was Too Much for the Toronto Maple Leafs by Stephen Stoneman
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/brian-burke-was-too-much-for-the-toronto-maple-leafs/
On Nonis:
Dave Nonis Has Work Cut Out For Him
Link: http://thehockeywriters.com/dave-nonis-has-work-cut-out-for-him/
