Truth & Rumors > NHL

Leafs face obstacles moving up in draft

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Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke would like nothing better than to make a deal with Tampa Bay GM Brian Lawton to move up to the second pick in the NHL draft but it's almost impossible to try to get anything done with Tampa Bay because the two owners, Len Barrie and Oren Koules, aren't on speaking terms and you need three people to agree on something before you can finalize anything ... Also picking ahead of the Leafs are Atlanta, with ownership problems; Colorado, without a general manager; and the Islanders, who may be moving to Kansas City.

Toronto Sun

Brian Burke, Getty Images Brian Burke, Getty Images
May 31, 2009  09:48 AM ET

Ya, and then there's the whole issue of other NHL teams not putting the Leafs' interests ahead of their own. Even Burke can't bully them into making bad deals to help turn the Leafs into a pro hockey team.

May 31, 2009  10:13 AM ET

The rest of the league's gms are already sick of Burke doind his business in the papers, and he is just gonna keep ostracizing himself if he keeps pulling that kind of stuff. I see few trade partners in the Leafs' future due to a mix of this and the fact that the Leafs have little to nothing of value to the other teams which would make trading picks worthwhile.

May 31, 2009  10:30 AM ET

Any team would face "obstacles" trying to move up in the draft, but if the offer is right, a deal can be done.

May 31, 2009  10:39 AM ET

The Islanders will be the second team in Toronto before they move to Kansas City, thats the only way Tavares will play in Toronto.

May 31, 2009  11:29 AM ET

it is so sad that a franchise of the Leafs stature can only be in the news when it's negative. they are the Chicago Cubs of the NHL; all the history but no results. Burke isn't the answer, no many GM's trust him or want to deal with him.

May 31, 2009  11:57 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

it is so sad that a franchise of the Leafs stature can only be in the news when it's negative. they are the Chicago Cubs of the NHL; all the history but no results.

Yes, but as the Cubs are known as "lovable losers," the Leafs are just losers.

May 31, 2009  03:24 PM ET
QUOTE(#2):

The rest of the league's gms are already sick of Burke doind his business in the papers, and he is just gonna keep ostracizing himself if he keeps pulling that kind of stuff. I see few trade partners in the Leafs' future due to a mix of this and the fact that the Leafs have little to nothing of value to the other teams which would make trading picks worthwhile.

Have you talked to any of the GMs? Do you know one? Where do you get your info? Laughable.

GMs rarely get personal (the Lowe vs. Burke saga being a rarity over the Penner saga... and Burke has been proven right in that debate..) A GM of another team couldn't care less how Burke does his business. The bottom line is if Burke makes a solid offer to another team for the chance to move up, a GM will consider it if it helps his club. If a GM turned down an offer due to a personality conflict, they wouldn't be doing their job.

May 31, 2009  03:25 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Any team would face "obstacles" trying to move up in the draft, but if the offer is right, a deal can be done.

Exactly.

May 31, 2009  06:30 PM ET

That is just the way Burke does his business. He loves attention and always gets it with **** like this.

May 31, 2009  07:37 PM ET

to bad the leafs arnt going any were for a while

May 31, 2009  08:45 PM ET
QUOTE:

Go does have a point joec. The way Burke handles himself with his business is not the best course to take. You dont go on a soap-box and declare that you want the Isles draft pick. I agree with you too,if a solid offer is made,one does have to consider it. I'm betting the farm that the Leafs cant get the #1 pick from the Isles though. The damage has been done.Lidstrom is the best d-man ever!

How does Burke's declaration affect Garth Snow at all? I am curious. If I am Snow, I hear Burke on radio or tv, I sit back and laugh. That is all. As a matter of fact, I love it because now I have a GM that has put all the pressure on HIMSELF, not me. Now Burke has to offer me a crazy package just to consider the move... say Burke offers Schenn, Bozak, Hanson and three 1st round picks plus other considerations (cash, later picks.. blah blah blah) . I am not even saying this deal is realistic on ANY front... just for arguments sake.. if Snow thinks this makes his team stronger not only now, but in the long run.. it doesn't matter one little bit that Burke preaches his moves publicly or not. All Burke said was that he clearly wants Tavares.. big deal, so do 29 other GMs. The only no-no is speaking about a signed player, which Burke or anyone else would never do. Talking about draft picks is harmless. This petty little discussion is just another predictable result of Leaf-haters piling on a really pointless argument.

June 1, 2009  01:22 AM ET
QUOTE(#5):

they are the Chicago Cubs of the NHL; all the history but no results.

I prefer "all hat but no cattle."

June 1, 2009  03:29 PM ET
QUOTE(#15):

I prefer "all hat but no cattle."

That is great. Well stated.

 
June 1, 2009  03:56 PM ET
QUOTE(#14):

How does Burke's declaration affect Garth Snow at all? I am curious. If I am Snow, I hear Burke on radio or tv, I sit back and laugh. That is all. As a matter of fact, I love it because now I have a GM that has put all the pressure on HIMSELF, not me. Now Burke has to offer me a crazy package just to consider the move...

Snow probably uses that soundbyte for his personal amusement everytime he enters his office. I think you are dead on when you said that it just puts more pressure on Burke by making the declaration. Burke is trying to throw his weight around with little to nothing to back it up. However, that is his style. If he keeps up this style of GM gorilla tactics he might find himself as the enemy in Toronto. If he can't find a way to cash in on some of his big claims the Toronto crowd may become despondent. He made his bed...

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