Burke on the hot seat, too

Burke is sure to be Irked today.

So basically my rant from Monday, but a little less tempered.

Sad that a month ago these goofs were fighting for 6th, and now I'm partial to a lottery pick. It's more pathetic than words can describe.

The deals that Burke has made have set the franchise back about 4 or 5 years.

The obvious one is the Kessel deal, they would have had either Hall or Seguin, plus Hamilton or better because without Kessel, they probably would have lost a couple more games last year. The 2nd rounder is just gravy, Knight looks pretty good but is in the OHL.

The Diane Phaneuf deal hasn't helped either. The argument can be made that Diane didn't cost them much in talent, but the contract of 6.5 mil against the cap has hurt, a lot given how over-rated he is.

Komisarek was a disaster, but that's just a money deal, plus you can put Connolly and MacArthur as well in that money mess.

They have 13 mil available on next year's cap with 16 players signed, if they go the 25 player route, they are losing Grabovski. Add in needing a goalie as well, they are entering Cap Hell. Yes, they can bring up guys like Kadri and Colbourne, but those guys are 3 mil against the cap combined.

If they get rid of the Wade Redden clause, it gets worse for Toronto as they can't hide some of these bad contracts in the minors. Good news is that at some point, Connolly will be on LTIR, so that'll help out their mess, a bit.

Either way, next year looks as bad as this year.

I don't think any of us would be surprised.

Also, given the disaster they are in, and if they were offered 1st rounders for some of their players and held onto Grabovski, it shows how lost they are.

You can't do a "kinda rebuild", either blow it up and start over with another Glorious Five Year Plan or be stuck in this 7th-10th in the conference endless cycle.

After 45 years, I'm sure Leaf fans can be patient for another couple of years.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  03.01 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

After 45 years, I'm sure Leaf fans can be patient for another couple of years.

Only if there's a new GM and head coach in place.

The fans in Toronto definitely deserve better.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 08:55 AM ET  03.01 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

Also, given the disaster they are in, and if they were offered 1st rounders for some of their players and held onto Grabovski, it shows how lost they are. You can't do a "kinda rebuild", either blow it up and start over with another Glorious Five Year Plan or be stuck in this 7th-10th in the conference endless cycle.After 45 years, I'm sure Leaf fans can be patient for another couple of years.

Grabovski's signing. His agent stated as much.

As for the first rounders offered for the guys Burke said, i'm not sure how much weight to give that, but yeah I probably would've taken it. Had the deadline been next Monday instead of last, I think BB does as well. At least I'd like to think so.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 09:13 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

Grabovski's signing. His agent stated as much.As for the first rounders offered for the guys Burke said, i'm not sure how much weight to give that, but yeah I probably would've taken it. Had the deadline been next Monday instead of last, I think BB does as well. At least I'd like to think so.

Grabovski is looking for the 5 million level of pay though, I'm not sure how they fit that in, find a goalie or 2, and fill out a roster with only 13 mil under the cap if it does not go down, which it may.

If Grabovski signs for 4.5 million, that leaves 8.5 mil and 16 players signed.
A goalie is going to cost at least 1.5 mil to sign while an upgrade costs a lot more. That leaves 7 million and 17 players signed.
Colbourne and Kadri are another 3 million. Now you are at 19 with only 4 million left. To fill out a roster of 24 players, you'd have 5 800k players signed.

that leaves them out of the FA market this year with no improvement to the team from the one on the ice right now. I'm taking the lowball for Grabovski, probably closer to 5 million a year. Someone will give it to him.

If the roster couldn't get the job done this year, I can't see it getting the job done next year.

The summer needs to go like this:

Go all-out on UFA's. Parise, Suter, Carle. Guys who will immediately make you better.

Get a #1 centre. You're going to have a high first rounder. I strongly urge you to keep it, but if there is a great deal for an established #1 middle man, screw it, trade it. Hell, you've done it for worse.

Goaltending. Nuff said.

Finally, try your hardest to move Komisarek, Lombardi, Connelly and Phaneuf. If that can't work, and if you still can, dump all of the above save Phaneuf in the A. We shouldn't ever see them play NHL hockey ever again, and if they do let it be for a different team.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 09:20 AM ET  03.01 by Schad - Notorious Deadbeat

Grabovski is looking for the 5 million level of pay though, I'm not sure how they fit that in, find a goalie or 2, and fill out a roster with only 13 mil under the cap if it does not go down, which it may.If Grabovski signs for 4.5 million, that leaves 8.5 mil and 16 players signed.A goalie is going to cost at least 1.5 mil to sign while an upgrade costs a lot more. That leaves 7 million and 17 players signed.Colbourne and Kadri are another 3 million. Now you are at 19 with only 4 million left. To fill out a roster of 24 players, you'd have 5 800k players signed.that leaves them out of the FA market this year with no improvement to the team from the one on the ice right now. I'm taking the lowball for Grabovski, probably closer to 5 million a year. Someone will give it to him.If the roster couldn't get the job done this year, I can't see it getting the job done next year.

Like I say above, he has to dump the three losers' contracts at the bare minimum somehow. that's nearly $13 mil right there. If SOMEHOW he can lose Dion as well, he's rolling.

QUOTE(#2):

Originally posted 08:40 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

So basically my rant from Monday, but a little less tempered.Sad that a month ago these goofs were fighting for 6th, and now I'm partial to a lottery pick. It's more pathetic than words can describe.

Danny is it true the GTA shut down as everybody took a "I'm Sick of the Leafs Day?"

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:24 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

Like I say above, he has to dump the three losers' contracts at the bare minimum somehow. that's nearly $13 mil right there. If SOMEHOW he can lose Dion as well, he's rolling.

Also, include Colby in there as well.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:26 AM ET  03.01 by Canuck eh?

Danny is it true the GTA shut down as everybody took a "I'm Sick of the Leafs Day?"

If that were the case, we'd all be in long-term injury leave by now.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 09:02 AM ET  03.01 by PensFanDealWithIt

The fans in Toronto definitely deserve better.

People still show up to games and call in to radio shows stating their support for both Burke and Wilson, so i'm not sure we do..

Leafs fans are maddening. Yes, the organization has been a joke for ... well, forever. Agreed. My point is this : The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results. For 50 years, the Leafs have had draft day-dealing blunders, fraudulent free agent signings and other failed experiments in how to build a winner. The proof is there for all of us to see (and mock). Burke has actually at least attempted to do it a different way. Yes, he has had some blunders, (Komisarek for certain, some will argue to their grave Kessel, keeping Wilson around too long). Fair enough.

However, he has tried to rebuild the organization from the bottom up. The depth charts have arisen from near-bottom to respectability. Most experts agree that their prospects list is much stronger than at any point in memory. Using this formula of staying married to your organizational depth is not a quick-fix. What fans and the insane media fail to realize, is that there are no "golden eggs" out there to turn this team into a bona fide contender tomorrow.

Perfect example of this madness in Toronto: the uproar at the deadline. Fans and media were clamoring for change - ANY change. Most wanted to see something dramatic - like blowing everything up for a "dream" player. Spend the farm on Nash or Carter, and follow the same path of the last half-century, giving up prospects for fools gold.

This team needs a Reimer-rebound next season for sure. I still believe he can be a respectable #1 with a coaching change and a positive mindset. Get a veteran backup for him to lean on. The team needs a true #1 centre, which Burke knows all too well. I am sure that will be investigated in the summer. If those two areas are addressed, I really belive that is the first step back on track.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:24 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

Like I say above, he has to dump the three losers' contracts at the bare minimum somehow. that's nearly $13 mil right there. If SOMEHOW he can lose Dion as well, he's rolling.

I'm not sure that the teams on the lower end of the NHL world are going to allow another Wade Redden clause in the next CBA as it only helps the higher profile teams and does nothing for them. the whole Wade Redden situation set really bad for a lot of teams as they could never afford of just dumping close to 7 million in the minors.

I have a feeling that the Leafs are screwed. Big time.

Huge cap numbers and worthless players. Not a good combo.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 09:28 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

People still show up to games and call in to radio shows stating their support for both Burke and Wilson, so i'm not sure we do..

Rephrase: The fans in Toronto deserve a lobotomy? ;)

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 09:26 AM ET  03.01 by Canuck eh?

Danny is it true the GTA shut down as everybody took a "I'm Sick of the Leafs Day?"

Isn't that everyday?

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 09:24 AM ET  03.01 by dannylimes

Like I say above, he has to dump the three losers' contracts at the bare minimum somehow. that's nearly $13 mil right there. If SOMEHOW he can lose Dion as well, he's rolling.

It was not that long ago i took some heat here over my firm slagging of PrimaDion . Now that he is universally realized as an overhype it will be hard for the Leafs to get much for him.Most of the leagues fans now know what Flames fans realized years ago,