Well that's interestingly speculative.
You're assuming too much in that statement.
What if (and this is pretty likely), were never better in the standings WITHOUT Kessel than WITH Kessel.
If you contemplate that very realistic scenario, then the Leafs would have been bottom-feeders regardless of the Kessel trade.
Therefore, if you knew the potential outcomes one way or the other, then you could make a decision on which you would rather have for your team:
WITH BURKE
Phil Kessel
WITHOUT BURKE
Tyler Seguin
Dougie Hamilton
Brandon Saad
Michael Paliotta
Note that Jared Knight is omitted from the list because if the Leafs were not intending on making an offer sheet, they didn't need to trade their 2nd 2011 and 3rd 2011 for their own 2nd 2010 back from Chicago.
So that's all it is, a matter of personal preference.
Now while I admit, the "without Burke" group does look mighty tantalizing, Seguin was dumped from the Bruins for being a bad personality in the relatively modest media spotlight of Beantown.
It's no coincidence the team that traded for him is in media obscurity, where a player of his demeanour can flourish with the attention of the media. Does that strike you as someone that would excel in Toronto?
And is Brandon Saad really a legit NHLer on a team like Toronto, or does he benefit from playing with a SCC roster? Would he play as well on the Leafs?
So I maintain my position, I do believe that had Burke been given the forecast of the future, his decision would not have changed.
He'd want Kessel.