By HOWARD BERGER
FORT LAUDERDALE (Feb. 9) — If you want a heart-felt, honest answer to a question, there are few men in the world of hockey that will come through as often as Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke. In an era of mass media that almost always generates vanilla statements or flat-out lies from the people that operate pro sports franchises, Burke is something of a throw-back. He strikes me as a person so supremely confident in his ability that tipping his hand in a matter will do him no harm. And, that may turn out to be the case with Nik Antropov.
Otherwise, a blunt assessment earlier today of Antropov’s future with the Maple Leafs is not likely to benefit the hockey club. Burke claimed he almost certainly will not offer the native of Kazakhstan a new contract for next season — Antropov is slated to be an unrestricted free agent July 1st – and that the veteran Leaf probably needs a change of scenery. On the surface, this is hardly a shocking development, as Antropov is near the front of the line among players rumored to be on their way out of town. But, it doesn’t exactly bolster his marketability. If his own GM is telling reporters he no longer has any use for him, what are opposing GMs and scouts supposed to think?
Perhaps Burke would have been better served by feigning enthusiasm over his soon-to-be 29-year-old veteran. Maybe Brian could have said, “You know, Nik had a really tough stretch there in the middle part of the schedule, but he’s playing much better now with three goals in his past five games, and I’m not sure I want to unload him. He’s a big guy with a lot of years ahead in the NHL and teams are really going to have to step to the plate if they want him at the trade deadline. I’ve made no promises to Nik, but it’s going to be a tough call for me either way.”
There would have been some half-truths in a statement such as that — Antropov, for instance, is not playing significantly better, even though he’s broken out of his long scoring famine — but it might have served to position the veteran forward a bit differently. Of course, all NHL teams have pro scouts that watch other players around the league, and there are no secrets anymore with every game available on TV. But, GMs and scouts often look at a player that may be struggling on a bad team and wonder if that player would come to life with a club in contention. Antropov certainly falls into that category, even though his career pattern with the Maple Leafs suggests he’ll never be much better than he is today.
If Burke were more inclined to fudge his answers, he might have planted an idea in the mind of a prospective manager. Instead, he made it clear that Antropov is on his last legs in a Toronto uniform — likely minimizing any trade return at the deadline. There’s nothing quite like honesty… or is there?
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An example of how other hockey markets differ from Toronto was found earlier today on the website of the Embassy Suites hotel chain. If you want to stay at the Embassy Suites at the convention center in downtown Tampa when the Leafs are there this week, the hotel is offering straight room rates, and a “Lightning Ticket” package. For a slightly higher room charge, you get a ticket to the Toronto-Tampa Bay game in either the upper or lower bowl of the St. Pete Times Forum. Can you imagine the uninhibited stampede if a hotel near the Air Canada Centre were to offer Leaf tickets along with the room rate? I suppose it’s a creative way for the Lightning to try and fill its building, but it’s also a blunt statement about the initiatives required by most NHL teams to sell tickets nowadays. And, it’s very un-Toronto.
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Burke isn’t saying anything the rest of the NHL doesn’t know about Nik Antropov. He’s a big guy who plays like a little guy. Sure he has a few points this year, but when the Leafs needed him to take over from Sundin, he was nowhere to be found. Bye bye Nik.
- Rick GRaceNice try trying at undoing Burke’s damaging statements about Big Nick Howard. Unfortunately, like you said, every team has pro scouts everywhere watching players all the time. I think what coaches and GM’s say publicly to, or about, their players is way overrated anyway. Case in point, Welwood and McCabe. Both were trashed, both are doing fine with their new teams. Having said that, the only chance of getting any kind of decent return on Antropov is exactly what you said. Someone out there has to feel that he just needs a new lease on life and some better players to play with. Maybe they’d be right.
- PaulBNo kidding Howard. What the heck is Burke trying to do - is the kind of results you get for spending 3 mil a year on a GM?
I like the way you put it as to a statement on Antropov. Further to that bick Nik would likely have produced even more than he has if Burke had stated something along those lines.
Seems to me Antropov may have some confidence issues himself and bone headed statements like what Burke put out will only hurt Antropov even more.
First, Toskala in Burkes mind is not a #1 netminder, now he publicly states Antropov will not be re-signed after his contract term is up. Burke must be working for someone else here to put out assinine statements like that. Where does the trade value for either of the above named players sit now?
So far Burke is a huge bust both financially and productively for the Leafs. Amazing isn’t it what a few mil will do to the head - this guy has an ego so huge it will be prove to be the final proverbial nail for the Leafs.
I believe he is also undermining his own coach by putting down the players like he is. Wilson needs to stand up for his players during times like this.
Where is this so called loyalty towards players that Burke choose to tell us all about when he first came aboard - what a line of b.s. that was.
Give it a rest Burke - and keep your big yap shut - YOU are doing a lot more harm than good.
- Bob from BurlingtonTrade value for Nik was much better last summer.It was not a good move by Cliff. Cliff haso overvalued him.- A second rounder maybe?
- Jimi totally agree with you on this post of yours howard.
- darrell bishophave always regarded b.b. as the most honest & straight shooter there is in the sport. but at the same time always thought he knew how to be calculating when need be.
for this, his comments totally surprise me.
perhaps the trade he’s making for the big guy is already been done in principle & doesn’t want to look like a liar when it’s finally consummated.
only thing i can think of howard because makes no sense the other way.
certainly doesn’t help him to be in a position of strength that’s for sure.
I beleive Brian Burke already has a trade worked out with another club for Nik Antropov and there just waiting to announce it closer to the deadline.
- paulAs you said Howard, the other NHL teams are not stupid. Burke was not letting out any great secrets. Anyone can see that Antropov is pretty much a useless creampuff. I see a great future for Nik in the KHL next year.
- NormanHoward, I don’t think GMs care what is stated in the media. They talk to each other. Likely any potential trading partner would already know the situation. Antropov’s value will be determined by the teams competing to acquire him. Not by something Burke says on the radio.
- Dana SoleskiPerhaps Burke is challenging
- Chris GoldrickAndropov….telling him the old days of under achieving are over… and daring him to show he wants to be part of the rebuild…..Frankly I hope Andropov is dealt. He’s fragile, knows it,and doesn’t want to risk another knee injury…Chris
Here’s some alternative points of view. #1. If Burke had spouted out a bunch of half truths about Antropov. Why would anyone believe the G.M. of another team would buy into that, they know all about Antropov. #2. How do you know that Burke isn’t trying to plant the idea that Antropov is a good grab because now that the leafs don’t want him ,it could be easier to resign him next year. Meanwhile a nudge and a wink, and he signs with us again in the summer. Like Sundin should have done.#3. Maybe he’s just trying to shake Antropov up to get him to play better. Like what they did to Toskala. #4. This is the most important point. Doe’s anybody out there really believe the G.M.’s of the other teams, 26 of which are in the U.S.A. Listen to Bill Watters on Leafs Lunch which is where Burke said this stuff. I would think they’re a little to busy for that. LOL
- Bob from WindsorSay what you want about Nik Antropov but the guy has as many points as Alexei Kovalev and only 2 points less then players like Eric Staal and Milan Hejduk. I think there is way to many people out there that think Nik is a lot better then he is.
- DarrylHey Paul. Wellwood started well but has tailed off since Mats Sundin arrived. Furthermore how do you know McCabe is playing well, in comparison to whom?
- JimRight on Dana.
- JimHey, Bob from Burlington. Wilson and Burke are breaths of honest air who demand their players earn their millions of dollars. The country club atmosphere is over.
- JimAs the best reporter of Leaf-land its nice to see you in the National Post
- ken trewBrian is just trying to get some emotion out of Antropov the same way he did with Toskala last week. The only problem is, that even if he rattles Nik’s cage enough to have an impressive few weeks before the trade deadline, his history and trends over the last four seasons speak for themselves. No manager will be fooled if Nik picks up his game over the short haul.
- NormanThere is nothing wrong with the way Burke is handling anything. If you can’t handle the TRUTH than your in the wrong business. Burke never said Nik is a bad hockey player, all he said was that he probably wasn’t going to be back with the leafs. Every team in the league know that the leafs are rebuilding so why would the fact that one of their players is available be so shocking and appalling. The people in this town need to break out of their usually leaf bashing routine. This is a new era, one ruled by a straight shooter. If you think that the other GM’s in the league are thinking “wow, I was going to trade for antropov but now after what brian said on the radio im not going to anymore” than you’re a fool. Any Gm interested in Antropov a month ago, would still be interested now. The book has been out on him for a long time. Big guy, decent hands, streaky point producer. Brian hasn’t changed any of that. I LOVE the Burke era already.
- Matt RobertsHoward you have disappeared again. Hopefully you are cooking up some great rumours to keep us intereste in the trade deadline.Bell- 4th rounder,Antropove -2nd rounder. Pony - 3rd rounder, Kubina - prospect, Kaberle High first rounder plus prospect.Mayers -6th rounder.
- JimWhy aren’t we giving the same lame excuse that Sundin has been giving the last 10 years that he has no linemates.Antropov and Poni are having as good a season as last year playing with Stajan. If sundin is supposedly such a superstar they should have had much better seasons playing with Sundin.Antropov has less talent to work with so blame his play on no talent around him.Sundin is just not the player to raise the quality of a linemates game. Modin had 16 with Sundin he gets traded he scores 30. Blake plays with Sundin a bust but year before with Yashin 40 this year with Moore he already has more points than last year. As Blake himself said he has chemistry with Moore which means he didn’t have with Sundin. But don’t say it is because he’s sick, as he was just as sick when he was playing with Yashin when he scored 40 he didnt develop it over the summer. Bottom line Sundin needs players better than him to raise his game (Sackic Gilmour) but he can not raise the level of other players.
- WillyNice to see you’re finally printing our comments. I can’t believe baseball and basketball gets more interest on this site then the Maple leafs.
- Rick GRaceHoward
- JohnAre you a part time blogger now. No blog in five days
C’mon HOward, we are getting into 5 days already! I’m a big Leaf fan and a Berger fan. I actaully like to read your blogs from last year to compare them to this year. Last eyar in Feb. your production was a lot more than this. Step it up. We need you!
- NickJim, my point was that despite badmouthing and running both players out of town, Florida is still happy with McCabe’s play and the Canucks loved Wellwood until they brought Sundin in and found out what the Leafs found out 2 years ago. That he’s a one dimensional marshmallow who’s only affective on the pp when the other team can’t put a guy on him.
- PaulBWhat,no comments on my rumours?
- JimI’m fed up with Ron Wilson. The team has been losing the same way all season - getting an early lead then losing it in the 2nd & 3rd periods. Instead of bitching & moaning to reporters after games about work ethic and a lack of talent, why doesn’t Wilson take some responsibility as coach and find a way to either fix the problem or go back to California where he can get away with a half-ass performance without anyone noticing.
- mur