Brian Burke Presser at 12:00

[SkateSave]

Simmons only one of many examples of Burke's agitators "rats" that push his buttons..

CBC Don Cherry and Ron MacLean regularly also through their opinions outraged Burke and caused him to act unprofessionally in response. CBC HNIC nationwide promotes the Leafs and Burke's antics were not appreciated.

Bottom line being the Burke brand (loud, boisterous, obnoxious, arrogant, self centered, uncontrollable etc) is not transferable to big Corporation image and the reason why they felt the need to silence him. Unfortunately its those very strong A type larger than life personalities which believe they are above reproach that never see it coming.

Type A and Type B personality traits describes two common, opposite, contrasting personality types—the high-strung Type A and the easy-going Type B .. Burke is Type A ,while Nonis is Type B and Bell/Rogers prefers Type B as its voice.

I really don't understand the characterization of Burke being an obnoxious ego-maniac. Burke is opinionated, has integrity (or stubborness) to stick to his opinion but he is not petulant, narcissistic, controlling or selfish. Burke continually gives credit to others and is not beyond admitting when he has failed or made a mistake. He does seem to be considerate to players and families (the trade moratorium over Christmas break) Also, I haven't observed that he feels the need to be praised, though he will defend himself ardently if he feels he is unjustly attacked.

I think it lacks nuance to confuse someone who is strong in their opinion and not afraid to state their opinion, with someone who is self-centered and attention seeking.

I'm not sure if your statement is simply meant to explain the boards actions or justify them, but as for his brand being 'not transferable to big Corporation image', really, I think that's a lot of nonsense, and arguably a lot more petulant than anything Burke has done. If you really believe Burke has an agenda other than winning, I don't know what to say, but how he goes about it, within limits of course, really shouldn't be an issue.

On the other hand, it also reflects very poorly on how Bell/Rogers prioritize their values, and can be seen as quite cowardly. The fact that they felt it necessary to fire Burke with what is unanimously agreed to as horrible timing, infers that they care far more about corporate image, than performing what their task should be to leaf fans; winning. I can't see how having Burke, by proxy, somehow negatively effects Bell/Rogers image so much as to outweigh the need to treat fans to a stably run franchise, fans who are likely to more forgiving of coarse personalities as long as there are results on the ice.

Finally, you can't really say Burke being 'blind-sided' is an indication of his A personality self-delusion, as well, NOBODY really could have seen this coming, and I doubt only a few inner sanctum personnel were privvy to what was going to happen.

 

[Leafsdude7]

yes but thats why we have had this lul for the past 7 or so years. So many years we either traded our 1st round pick and our top prospects so when they were coming into there prime they would be here right now. Well.... Couture for Vesa Toskala is looking good. I cant remember off the top of my head who Quinn dealt but i know he dealt 1st rounders for Glenn Wesly (sp?) and even Francis. Those picks would be looking pretty good right now, (hindsight 20-20). You wont find a better job done by a GM, u can look at Edmonton and yes they tanked and got 5 pretty solid young players in there lineup today (hall, eberle, rnh, yakopov, Shultz) and those guys were picked the same time (or close to it lets not knit pick) as Burke was around. Well Kessel is better than all those players TODAY lupul can be argued to be as good. Phaneuf is way better than Shultz. With what Burke inherited he did the best job he could have done. He was hoping to be in the playoffs and still have all his picks. Everyone looks at the Kessel deal but what if those picks were at 10? well then they get nothing for Kessel essentially.

In case no one's pointed it out yet, the Wesley trade was for a conditional second (the conditions were met) and Francis was for a measly 4th rounder. Both were JFJ deals, though.

The only bad moves, IMO, that Quinn made were a 2nd rounder for Dmitri Khristich (which also resulted in the waiver placement of Steve Sullivan, who was claimed by the Hawks, and the loss of Kevyn Adams in the 2001 Expansion Draft to Columbus) and the bundle he sent to SJ for Nolan, which you can somewhat justify with how strong the team was at the time, though Nolan had a known injury history, which wound up doing him in over his 2+ seasons in Toronto. One could maybe argue the two trades with Phoenix that sent Berezin and Markov there for Reichel, Renberg and Green was bad, but I think it ended up being no better or worse than if the trade hadn't been made.

JFJ made numerous bad trades, though. Leetch for two decent prospects and a 1st and 2nd, Raycroft for Rask, Toskala for a 1st and 2nd, and so on. They're in completely different stratospheres.

I'd actually like to have Quinn as our GM again. He probably had the most prolonged success as a GM here since Punch Imlach's first go. He made it to the 2nd round every year he was GM and made it to the 3rd round twice, though he wasn't officially GM the first time.

 

[dimi78]

This ^ finally something i actually agree with you on.

Burke's remarks to Steve Simmoms was uncalled for at this press conference and as another poster pointed out it brought out the confrontational personality character in Burke why as Mess pointed out Bell/Rogers wanted Burke out.

I happen to some what agree that's the reason why he was let go, more so do to there was too much negative publicity these days with Burke and the Leafs than anything else and that's bad for business when you know you have a losing product on the ice and have the highest price ticket in the NHL and wont be cutting prices any time soon.

 

[Sokil]

I happen to some what agree that's the reason why he was let go, more so do to there was too much negative publicity these days with Burke and the Leafs than anything else and that's bad for business when you know you have a losing product on the ice and have the highest price ticket in the NHL and wont be cutting prices any time soon.

I agree. I think you can get away with these antics if you're a great team, then it just adds to the press and makes things interesting. If you're one of the worst and acting like this....you're part of the problem

 

[Suntouchable13]

In case no one's pointed it out yet, the Wesley trade was for a conditional second (the conditions were met) and Francis was for a measly 4th rounder. Both were JFJ deals, though.

The only bad moves, IMO, that Quinn made were a 2nd rounder for Dmitri Khristich (which also resulted in the waiver placement of Steve Sullivan, who was claimed by the Hawks, and the loss of Kevyn Adams in the 2001 Expansion Draft to Columbus) and the bundle he sent to SJ for Nolan, which you can somewhat justify with how strong the team was at the time, though Nolan had a known injury history, which wound up doing him in over his 2+ seasons in Toronto. One could maybe argue the two trades with Phoenix that sent Berezin and Markov there for Reichel, Renberg and Green was bad, but I think it ended up being no better or worse than if the trade hadn't been made.

JFJ made numerous bad trades, though. Leetch for two decent prospects and a 1st and 2nd, Raycroft for Rask, Toskala for a 1st and 2nd, and so on. They're in completely different stratospheres.

I'd actually like to have Quinn as our GM again. He probably had the most prolonged success as a GM here since Punch Imlach's first go. He made it to the 2nd round every year he was GM and made it to the 3rd round twice, though he wasn't officially GM the first time.

2 decent prospects? Where are they now? I have no problems with the Leetch deal. JFJ was going for it, it's not like we had a team that barely could squeak in to the playoffs.

 

[Leafsdude7]

2 decent prospects? Where are they now? I have no problems with the Leetch deal. JFJ was going for it, it's not like we had a team that barely could squeak in to the playoffs.

At the time, Kondratiev and Immonen were very decent prospects. Kondratiev had even played a handful of games with the Leafs earlier that year.

Considering Leetch's age at the time, the two picks on top of them were way too much.

 

[Sokil]

At the time, Kondratiev and Immonen were very decent prospects. Kondratiev had even played a handful of games with the Leafs earlier that year.

Considering Leetch's age at the time, the two picks on top of them were way too much.

Two words:

LEECH CAM.

 

[hockeywiz542]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...-are-hitting-the-reset-button/article7265097/

Though BCE and Rogers are now facing heavy criticism for the optics of making hasty moves, the companies are of the belief that if the teams return to winning, “it will cure all blemishes,†the source said.

It is the beginning of a restructuring of a company designed to bring more accountability to MLSE, which has always operated as a private entity not subject to the kinds of scrutiny that public companies must answer to.

Firing Mr. Burke not only points to new management of Maple Leafs, but also to an act of solidarity against an MLSE shareholder who has been a dominant force on the board for years. Construction magnate Larry Tanenbaum, who owns 25 per cent of the company and has been chairman since 2003, was vigorously opposed to dismissing Mr. Burke, according to a source familiar with the situation.

Facing off against Mr. Tanenbaum is another key shift. At most corporations, his smaller ownership stake would limit Mr. Tanenbaum’s influence. At MLSE, he has enjoyed unusual sway in many aspects of the sports company over the years. “He thinks he runs the business,†said a former MLSE director who declined to be identified.

Sources said Mr. Tanenbaum was surprised when Rogers and BCE proposed jettisoning the GM. “There is a war going on at MLSE right now,†said a person familiar with the decision.

Losing hits the Raptors and the Toronto FC soccer club in the pocketbook – it creates empty seats. The Leafs, on the other hand, are a profit machine thanks to a large, loyal fan base. “The last time the Leafs won the Stanley Cup I was one year old, and you know what? I watched them [growing up],†said Greg MacDonald, head of research at Macquarie Securities Group. “This seems like a fool-proof business model – they don’t have to put a good product up and people watc it.â€

 

[MapleLeafGardens*]

Another annoying factor about some of our fan base through this Burke firing is that so many of you brainwaves assume that MLSE's new board knows nothing about hockey which is complete BS. Bell/Rogers are not like the braindead Teachers Pension Fund. Unlike some of you Burke apologists i believe Bell/Rogers is smart enough to look at a product and evaluate that Burke's team still does not have a legit proven #1 goalie still doesn't have a legit #1 centre and still has a defense core that is not good enough to make the playoffs, again! Add on top of that a slew of Burke blunders.

Looking at the state of Burke's team and his combative personality i'm actually surprised Burke wasn't fired sooner by the new ownership group.

 

[MoreMogilny]

I missed this, but is there a recap around?

 

[member 147413]

LOL, Simmons got what he deserved, such an idiot.

 

[dimi78]

I agree. I think you can get away with these antics if you're a great team, then it just adds to the press and makes things interesting. If you're one of the worst and acting like this....you're part of the problem

I don't think he was part of the problem... the media get a free ride they take what he says misconstrue it, paint a false picture that place unwarranted negativity on to the organization cause it sells, all Burke did is fight back and was fired for it. In short the media is to blame for this firing but I'm not going to go and explain it.

Let's just say PATIENCE is a word that Leaf Nation, the media lack more so than Burke

Who's next to feel there wrath? Kadri is a candidate in the Bullseye of unwarranted attack.

 

[Drew311]

Another annoying factor about some of our fan base through this Burke firing is that so many of you brainwaves assume that MLSE's new board knows nothing about hockey which is complete BS. Bell/Rogers are not like the braindead Teachers Pension Fund. Unlike some of you Burke apologists i believe Bell/Rogers is smart enough to look at a product and evaluate that Burke's team still does not have a legit proven #1 goalie still doesn't have a legit #1 centre and still has a defense core that is not good enough to make the playoffs, again! Add on top of that a slew of Burke blunders.

Looking at the state of Burke's team and his combative personality i'm actually surprised Burke wasn't fired sooner by the new ownership group.

Wow, you're soooo controversial.

Simmons?

 

[hockeywiz542]

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2013/01/12/brian_burke_maple_leafs_press_conference_grange_column/

Burke tried to portray it as a hockey decision, and on some level there's no disputing it. Miss the playoffs four straight years and everything else is grease for the skids.

"You can blame this on (something) if you want. You can say it's my personality. Those all become pretexts and excuses later," he said. "You can be as obnoxious as you want to be if you're in first place. It's about winning games, I'm not ducking that. That's why we're here."

But it's not the only reason. Even he knows that on some level, it's clear. Remaining in place is the hockey operations staff he put in place. There's already been pledges that what he started won't be dismantled. So it's more than hockey.

It's bluster and arrogance and maybe some poor judgment at the very least. And maybe the lack of willingness to change. Burke's last press conference was proof that even to the end he was going to do it his way. A gracious statement via email wasn't enough for him. Silence certainly wasn't an option. And if Burke did have a chance to change his ways -- given there are reports that his dismissal had been in the works for months -- there's no way he was going to.

He will feud with who he wants to feud with. Tell who he wants to go where and with what amount of sunshine. He's John Wayne in a suit. Just ask him.

"I'm not changing how I operate," he said. "You ask me a question, I'm going to answer it, you don't like the answer, too bad. You asked the question. If you write something I don't like, I'm going to call you and tell you."

 

[hockeywiz542]

I missed this, but is there a recap around?

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013...how-he-really-feels-about-maple-leafs-firing/

Three days after Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment shook the city by announcing it was firing him as president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Brian Burke stood behind a familiar lectern inside the Air Canada Centre, likely for the last time. He addressed reporters and fielded questions on Saturday. Here are some highlights from that address:

On whether he thinks this is more of a corporate decision than a hockey decision:

“Well, I don’t know. You’d have to ask them that. Again, I’m not ducking the hockey side of things. But it’s clear to me, the second time where a team has been sold when I’ve been hired, and the people that hired me hired Brian Burke. And maybe the new guys don’t like that brand. Maybe they want someone who’s a little more conventional. And they’re entitled to that. That’s fine. I’m not changing. I’m not going to change how I do things. That’s not possible. So, I’m Irish. We’re stubborn. We’ve got to find someone who likes that brand, I guess.”

On whether he thinks his personality had to do with the board’s decision:

“Ask them.”

On whether he would change anything about the way he operates:

“I’m not changing how I operate. You asked me a question. I’m going to answer it as honestly as I can. If you don’t like the answer, that’s too bad. You asked the question. You write something I don’t like, I’m going to call you and tell you that. I’m not changing it. So I’ve got to find a fit, if there is one. And if there’s not, then … we’ll see what happens next. I haven’t gotten that far yet. This is just two days into this. I’m still not used to it.”

On whether he has any regrets:

“Well, we didn’t win. And obviously, your job as a GM is to bring in players that win. We didn’t win … I can stand here and say, ‘oh, it’s my personality, they didn’t like my personality.’ Those all become pretexts and excuses later. If you’ve won enough games; you can be as obnoxious as you want to be in you’re in first place. And so, it’s about winning games. That’s why we’re here. And I’m not ducking that. We didn’t win enough games.”

On the reality of being a Leafs GM compared to what he had expected it would be:

“It’s about what I expected. It’s the Vatican. It’s the biggest stage in pro hockey, maybe in pro sports. I remember Theo Epstein: I was at a Red Sox game three years ago, and he said, ‘is your job like my job?’ I said, ‘you have no idea what my job is like in terms of the visibility.’ So it’s exactly what I expected. It’s the pressure I expected. It’s the stage I expected.”

 

[gabeliscious]

im kind of indifferent by burkes firing but i think in al this no one has thanked him for leaving the team better then when he got it.

you can look at the stat all you want but at the end of the day we have way better players now then when he first took over and he also gave us his replacement -nonis who i think is a very good person for our team.

burke brought in 3 top 6 wingers who would be top 6 on just about every team in the league -kessel, lupul, jvr

he also got us a top pairing defenseman who would be top pairing on almost every team in the nhl - phanuf

he also got us a very good defensive prospect in gardiner.


im not suggesting he was brilliant here but i think it is important to note tht he did do some good and left nonis in a better position then what was left for him.

nonis has almost a complete top 6

lupul xxxxxx kessel
jvr grabs xxxxx


he has almost a complete bottom 6

kulemin bozak frattin
brown mclement xxxxxx


he has half a complete defense

phanuef xxxxxx
gunnarson gardiner
xxxxxx xxxxxx


no goalies though

 

[sangreale]

Exactly. He should be working for a tabloid magazine.

Um ... he does.

 

[TML g u n n e R s*]

really hope we try

JVR-GRABO-KULIE

this can be a great 200 ft line

 

[Sokil]

I don't think he was part of the problem... the media get a free ride they take what he says misconstrue it, paint a false picture that place unwarranted negativity on to the organization cause it sells, all Burke did is fight back and was fired for it. In short the media is to blame for this firing but I'm not going to go and explain it.

Let's just say PATIENCE is a word that Leaf Nation, the media lack more so than Burke

Who's next to feel there wrath? Kadri is a candidate in the Bullseye of unwarranted attack.

It's the media's job to scrutinize. Whether they praise or jeer is entirely on the shoulders of the subject. If you can't take the media in a big market, get out.

 

[Sokil]

Let's not forget that the Rangers are another big market team, owned by a publicly traded company, and their coach (Torts) is about as loud mouthed & brash as it gets. He gets away with it because he produces results.

 

[sangreale]

What team got us up to the top of the east in January to begin with?

No one is saying Burke built a Stanley Cup contender. But this team is not as bad as you are trying to make them look.

What they did they did on their own merit.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

Cherry strangely silent, however knowing him, he would not gloat over a man losing his job. Ironically he and Burke share more similarities than differences.

 

[zoA]

Another annoying factor about some of our fan base through this Burke firing is that so many of you brainwaves assume that MLSE's new board knows nothing about hockey which is complete BS. Bell/Rogers are not like the braindead Teachers Pension Fund. Unlike some of you Burke apologists i believe Bell/Rogers is smart enough to look at a product and evaluate that Burke's team still does not have a legit proven #1 goalie still doesn't have a legit #1 centre and still has a defense core that is not good enough to make the playoffs, again! Add on top of that a slew of Burke blunders.

Looking at the state of Burke's team and his combative personality i'm actually surprised Burke wasn't fired sooner by the new ownership group.

Yes, your assumptions and opinions are facts, run along now. Great posts so far, you're a gem.

I don't think Burke should of been in the media so often while he was the GM, but I have no problem with his issues against Simmons. The comment he made toward him at the press conference was well deserved. I respect Burke as a man, but his tenure with the Leafs will always be deemed a failure. I think as an organization we've improved a lot since he's taken over, but we're still a loosing team at the end of the day. There's a lot of hindsight being passed off as common knowledge in here...

 

[sangreale]

im kind of indifferent by burkes firing but i think in al this no one has thanked him for leaving the team better then when he got it.

you can look at the stat all you want but at the end of the day we have way better players now then when he first took over and he also gave us his replacement -nonis who i think is a very good person for our team.

burke brought in 3 top 6 wingers who would be top 6 on just about every team in the league -kessel, lupul, jvr

he also got us a top pairing defenseman who would be top pairing on almost every team in the nhl - phanuf

he also got us a very good defensive prospect in gardiner.


im not suggesting he was brilliant here but i think it is important to note tht he did do some good and left nonis in a better position then what was left for him.

nonis has almost a complete top 6

lupul xxxxxx kessel
jvr grabs xxxxx


he has almost a complete bottom 6

kulemin bozak frattin
brown mclement xxxxxx


he has half a complete defense

phanuef xxxxxx
gunnarson gardiner
xxxxxx xxxxxx


no goalies though

Too many x's in the wrong places. They will need at least 18 mil in cap space to fill them or rather 3 great drafts.

 

[sangreale]

Cherry strangely silent, however knowing him, he would not gloat over a man losing his job. Ironically he and Burke share more similarities than differences.

Yes. A similarity they share with your av.