Truth & Rumors > NHL

Did Gary Bettman tip off pal Brian Burke?

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09:39 AM ET 10.14 | In the most inactive summer of Brian Burke's time running the Maple Leafs, you have to wonder: What did his friend, Gary Bettman, tell him about the coming season? And can Burke's quiet approach to making over the Leafs be attributed in any way to a belief there will not be an NHL season? Burke never went out an acquired the veteran goaltender he said he wasn't going to get at the end of last season. He wasn't in any way aggressive in the free agent market, which is understandable considering the mistakes made in the past. He never found the first-line centre he hoped for -- and has this odd belief that James vanRiemsdyk, a winger with talent and marginal success, can be that centre. You wonder: What was Burke told about this season? You wonder, with his closeness to the league and his friendship with Bettman, what he's known all along.

Toronto Sun

Brian Burke, Gary Bettman, Dave Sandford/NHL/Getty Images Brian Burke, Gary Bettman, Dave Sandford/NHL/Getty Images
October 14, 2012  09:51 AM ET

Look, twin Jackholes! Between them they can't figure out what a face off is!

October 14, 2012  09:56 AM ET

What was Burke told about this season? You wonder, with his closeness to the league and his friendship with Bettman, what he's known all along.

What he was told was...is that there aren't any decent number one goalies available...that there wasn't any "number one" centers available...and that the free agents that were any where worth their salt, were off signing silly offers by the Wild for ridiculous money and terms that neither one is worth...
What a dumbass article to print.

October 14, 2012  09:58 AM ET
QUOTE(#1):

Look, twin Jackholes! Between them they can't figure out what a face off is!

Exactly. And I'm wondering how they got all that ego into one photo.

October 14, 2012  09:59 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

What was Burke told about this season? You wonder, with his closeness to the league and his friendship with Bettman, what he's known all along.

What he was told was...is that there aren't any decent number one goalies available...that there wasn't any "number one" centers available...and that the free agents that were any where worth their salt, were off signing silly offers by the Wild for ridiculous money and terms that neither one is worth...What a dumbass article to print.

I disagree Puckhead. We all know you can't "tell" Burkie anything.

October 14, 2012  10:01 AM ET

>>In the most inactive summer of Brian Burke's time running the Maple Leafs>>

The Leaf's and Burke deserve one another. Burke hasn't got a clue what to do whether Mini Me is whispering in his ear or not. On the upside, Burke's got the Leafs tied for first ATM.

October 14, 2012  10:10 AM ET

And if you think the league is a train wreck now, imagine this headline, "Burke next in line to be NHL commissioner" Don't think it's not a possibility. The only qualifications for the post is to not know a thing about hockey!! I wish the networks would sign long term deals with overseas leagues so the fans would have a choice, because if they did, the NHL wouldn't exist in 5 years.

October 14, 2012  10:24 AM ET
QUOTE(#6):

And if you think the league is a train wreck now, imagine this headline, "Burke next in line to be NHL commissioner" Don't think it's not a possibility. The only qualifications for the post is to not know a thing about hockey!! I wish the networks would sign long term deals with overseas leagues so the fans would have a choice, because if they did, the NHL wouldn't exist in 5 years.

I agree with you CI.

QUOTE(#16):

Originally posted 10:38 AM ET 10.08 by Bettman Sucks Eh?

Okay you're going to hear it here first......

I believe that Burkie will be the next NHL Commissioner.

If you thought I disliked the pompous prick now.....just wait.

October 14, 2012  10:31 AM ET
QUOTE(#7):

I agree with you CI.

Man I wish they'd bring Gretz in, might give hockey some credibility again!

October 14, 2012  10:34 AM ET

Would be nice if a few owners would read this article, look at that picture and think, "damn, what are we doing to the game"!!!

October 14, 2012  10:37 AM ET

Said it before - this lockout benefits the Leafs from an on-ice standpoint more than any other team in the league.

October 14, 2012  10:39 AM ET

Tipped off? Nope. That's all Burke. He doesn't need help from Buttman to do a crappy job as GM.

October 14, 2012  10:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#10):

Said it before - this lockout benefits the Leafs from an on-ice standpoint more than any other team in the league.

We know...they're still in postion for a playoff spot!

October 14, 2012  10:42 AM ET
QUOTE(#12):

We know...they're still in postion for a playoff spot!

So are Jacques Martin's boys...

October 14, 2012  10:43 AM ET
QUOTE(#13):

So are Jacques Martin's boys...

Crap...I meant Therrien.

Confused my terrible French coaches.

October 14, 2012  11:45 AM ET

Who's on first. What's on second.

October 14, 2012  03:46 PM ET

Acting like Burke had a chance at landing free agents or acquiring more talent through trade.......NO ONE wants to play for the INEPT Laffs...the most inept franchise ever.

October 14, 2012  05:27 PM ET
QUOTE(#3):

Exactly. And I'm wondering how they got all that ego into one photo.

A Wide angle lens perhaps

October 14, 2012  10:48 PM ET

Did a double take here, but doesn't Burkie look like Lurch from The Addams Family??

October 14, 2012  11:49 PM ET
QUOTE(#18):

Did a double take here, but doesn't Burkie look like Lurch from The Addams Family??

Standing beside Gary everyone looks like lurch except maybe Rick Moranis and Danny DeVito

 
October 14, 2012  11:50 PM ET
QUOTE(#16):

Acting like Burke had a chance at landing free agents or acquiring more talent through trade.......NO ONE wants to play for the INEPT Laffs...the most inept franchise ever.

almost as inept as the pre-Orr Bruins

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