By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Apr. 14) — Moments after Maple Leafs’ GM Brian Burke dropped his bombshell today at the Air Canada Centre about pursuing junior phenom John Tavares this summer, I contacted Tavares by phone in London, Ont. for his reaction. The Mississauga native was unaware that Burke had told a room-full of reporters he’ll begin targeting the No. 1-rated prospect “as soon as tonight’s draft lottery ends”, and Tavares — while careful not to diss any potential employer — couldn’t hide his excitement.
“It’s kind of overwehlming — maybe even a bit shocking, to be honest,” he said. “For you telling me that — if [Burke] said it — I’m obviously excited that teams are interested, and Toronto would be an unbelievable place to play hockey. There’s probably no better city [in the NHL] for support and atmosphere.”
When told that Burke will be in hot pursuit of whichever team targets him in the June draft at Montreal, Tavares replied, “It is surprising and I guess it’s pretty neat as well to have someone [say they are] really interested in you like that — you know, a general manager coming out and saying something publicly. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing so, wherever I do end up, I can be a good player and a player that makes a difference. I want to win a Stanley Cup one day.”
When asked, flat out, if he’d like to play for the Leafs, Tavares hummed and hawed, then answered with the political correctness common among today’s elite prospects. “You know, I’m excited about the draft and whatever happens — where I play is out of my control,” he said. “Right now, I’m in a big post-season push here with my team [the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights] and I know that every [NHL] club is looking to improve, including Toronto. My goal is to play in the NHL and it’ll be exciting no matter which team gets me. All cities are special and different in their own ways, and Toronto is obviously one of the best.”
Burke acknowledged it will be no simple task to land Tavares; he understands, though, not only what the high-scoring forward could accomplish on the ice, but what Tavares’s marketability would mean to his employer — Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. The mere mention of this pursuit will probably be enough to induce a retailer somewhere to sew Tavares’s name on the back of a Toronto jersey. Imagine the amount of apparel that’ll be sold if Tavares actually winds up with the Blue & White.
As such, it’s unlikely Burke will put restrictions on particular assets a team would seek in pursuit of Tavares — whether he makes a deal before or after the entry draft. That means Luke Schenn has to be in the mix… perhaps unavoidably if Burke truly wishes to land the No. 1 prospect in the hockey world. Burke is also likely praying that the New York Islanders win tonight’s draft lottery. Tavares has cryptically made it known he not enthused about playing for the team with the best percentage chance to land him, and Burke will be very active in dealing with the club that owns the top pick.
Would the Islanders, for example, trade that choice to Burke for the Leafs’ first-round pick [No. 7 overall]; at least one second-round pick; Schenn, and a wad of cash [i.e. taking an existing contract off the Islanders’ roster]? Schenn is certainly shaping up to be a dominating blue-liner, but is he in the “can’t miss/franchise-player” category of Tavares?
If Burke really wants Tavares — and it sounds like he does — that’s the sort of package he’ll have to offer.
Click here to subscribe to Berger's blog
Think Gary Bettman might interfere with this? A stuggling team giving up a once in a lifetime franchise player to the richest team in the league. I think Garth Snow will have some pressure from the league office to preserve one of Gary`s beloved American teams. For that matter so would any American team to get the first overall pick. The Leafs are probably working against a stacked deck.
- Bob5th sure would have made things easier than 7th.
- PaulBDON’T TRADE LUKE SCHENN!
Berger once again making up rumours out of sack and wholecloth. Trading Schenn?? Schenn is a Burkian player. He isn’t going anywhere.
- Nathan GoveasPlease send me the article in which John Tavares stated that he does not want to play of the NYI. Geez Berger, you are a homer!
- OdeleinHoward,
Don’t be stupid, there is no way schenn is in that deal for the first pick …kaberle will be in the deal… first round pick and a couple of second rounders..maybe even pogge if we could get that European goalie…
- RomanHi Howard,
I’m of “2 minds” on Burkes proclamation.
On the one hand I’m glad to hear him say that he’ll do whatever he can to get a star player by moving up in the draft. I’m also heartened that he says that NOBODY on this losing team should feel secure just because they have a contract. That sort of no compromise attitude has been missing from this organization for a long time. Regardless of the results in the near future instilling that attitude into the organization will reap benefits down the road.
On the other hand the jaded, “negative”, long disappointed, repeatedly frustrated, often perpplexed, and eternally cynical leaf fan in me says this is just a blustering attempt to keep the legions of kool-aid drinkers paying attention/ keeping the “faith” while other teams go to the playoffs. If he desperately wanted Tavares why bother getting Gerber at the deadline thus avoiding a certain slide in the standings by relying on curtis and pogge?
I don’t hold much hope he can pull it off and I don’t think BB is really convinced he can either. BUT I give him credit for the forcefulness of his message and his conviction to his goal. It’s refreshing to say the least and gives a suffering fan some hope for the future.
Joel
- joelI don’t pretend to know more about the Leafs or have better access to them than you do Howard, but like others here I too would be very surprised if Burke included Schenn in any deal to trade up.
I could see him take a big contract off their hands, offer some draft picks, and maybe a handful of these college players that he’s been scooping up lately with entry level contracts.
Who knows what will happen. I will say that even though the Leafs aren’t in the playoffs, it’s still an exciting time for Leaf’s fans.
Mur
P.s. - Fire Ron Wilson - he’s an ass.
- MurP.s.s. - Rick Nash will be in a Leaf’s jersey in 2010-2011.
there is a better player on brampton that probably would not cost any thing.
- darrenIf nothing else, Mr. Burke sure has taken that attention away from this morning’s article in the Star proclaiming Brayden Schenn as the next first round pick of the Leafs.
how about this year’s first, two seconds, next year’s first and Kaberle for the pick. Hey, maybe Burke’s going to take Dipietro back and get that millstone off the Isles neck too.
Here’s hoping we keep Luke Schenn, but I’d love to see Tavares join him in the blue and white.
- DavidOdelein - try reading other columns. Others have also reported on Tavares’ lack of enthusiasm for playing for the Islanders…can you really blame him?
- JarodExcellent, the Laughs will have Schenn and Tavares and whatever is left on the shelf because if you want the #1 pick I’m going to demand everything on the current roster and in your farm system that can play now and in the next two years. Good luck there Burke, this just isn’t going to happen unless you sell everything.
Then again….perhaps he will.
- Greg CWhat a loud mouthed jerk Burke is. As if the loser Leafs actually have anyone, or anything that would pry Taveras away from the Islanders. He is dreaming in techni-colour. Does he really think he’s the only GM in the league who would like to have the top pick? I was surprised to hear him say that the Leafs could have made the playoffs this season if they would have traded Schenn, and in the next breath says that any GM does not try to make the playoffs every year shuold get out of the business. Thus far, Burke has assembled a college team of nobodies. I don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel coming with Burke, and his statements of today make me far less confident.
- NormanDon’t overate Tavares Howard. Is he a good player, yes. Is he going to be better than Schenn, maybe but I doubt it. I heard one ex GM say he is slightly better than Stamkos but not close to Crosby. Right now I would rather have Schenn because as any fan knows competent good shut down d-men are hard to find. Tavares is going to be good but not a great one I feel.
My whole feeling on this is it is Burke’s attempt to make people think he is actually doing something after his trade deadline failures. This team for all the accolades they got for trying hard did exactly what it has done for the last three years and that is wallow in mediocracy. So I guess in that vien it would be just like them to trade thier best young player to at best move sideways for another young player.
- WillI was reading this article and feeling some optimism from the authors point of view and some facts. Then, as I read the first couple of comments I realized it was Howard Berger reporting this. Bias as it may be, that COMPLETELY changed my view on this article. Berger are u SERIOUS? Schenn in a package deal? Burke has stated numerous times he is the only untouchable on the leafs. On top of that, the leafs best bet is Kaberle gone to the isle to give that team some much needed help on the blue line. Isles are good upfront (but could be better) Okposo or whatever is his name is a top tier player. Berger, don’t talk crap, and I agree with person who commented before asking for the interview script of you and tavares, i highly doubt he said he doesnt want to play for isles. Either way, Berger get real, I cant believe you’re posting rumours like these, you’re worse than me. Anywho, i do hope burkie gets Tavares, and that will be the piece we need with the returning players to make the playoffs. If leafs get Tavares, guaranteed playoff spot, im guessing 6-8th next year.
- Bobtoronto simply does not have the “means” to acquire tavares, burke is a fool to open his fat mouth. exactly what would toronto give up to acquire the potential #1 pick, there is nothing there, NADA.
- pete in hamiltonIt’s a great move by Burke and about time something of this magnitude was done in Toronto. Maple Leaf fans continue to fall in love with marginal players and unexpected success stories - this is how you can explain the love in with players like Dominic Moore and even Tie Domi in the recent past. Of course no one wants to see Schenn go, but the reason you go and get a guy like Burke is not to repeat the same mistakes this organization has made over the last 15 years. The Maple Leafs have passively added fringe pieces and have always been a .500 team - no risks and no excitement. When Fletcher landed her in the ’90’s he made a spash with the Gilmour - Leeman trade, and I’m sure there was the same type of shock value when that story was launched. He made his mark on the team. This is the same thing that Burke is doing! Excellent!
- ColinThis deal would not move in a stright line. Burke will get his hands on the 2nd or 3rd pick then talk to the islanders about making a deal. Im pretty sure Tampa owes Brian a favour for taking those contracts off their hands at the deadline. Maybe the isles want hedman and tavares is available with tampas #2 pick.
Brian is just going to bully around everyone till he gets what he wants and i just love it
- Matt RobertsOn the Tavaras/NYI “diss” .. it’s all rumor:
http://www.islanderspointblank.com/2009/03/john-tavares-sets-the-record-straighttells-pierre-lebrun-hes-all-islanders/
“It’s not true at all. Wherever I’m selected, 100 percent I’m going to be going there. If it is the New York Islanders, of course I’m going to go. I think they’ve got a lot of good prospects and there’s some good things happening there. Obviously, they’re looking to get a new arena, which is always exciting. And it’s a team with great tradition and history.”
—
On the other sides of things, why would he trade Schenn? The Leafs need *another* prospect, not a 1 for 1 switch. They will trade anything but Schenn.
The NYI are bleeding money as are the Lightning. So the chances of getting Hedman or Tavaras is pretty good. My concern is why Burke is being so public about this. Would that not increase the price?
- GuidoBest way to get the deal done is to take a big contact from NYI for future consideration they pick Hedman first then do deal with Florida for leaf’s pick plus players Toronto picks 2nd gets their guy easy
- rodgerGETTING TAVARES would mean gutting the rest of the club. He will ave too many more holes to fill on defense, goal whatever. Loosing Schenn is too much of a cost. Finally we have a defenseman with some future. They are few and far between.
- jamesBettman will never let this go through. I think Hedman is likely way more likely, this would sure up the blue line for the future. And sign Rick Nash next year, Booya!!
- Trevor, K-TownTavares’ agent said outright, he would prefer not to have John playing for the Isles or Lightning. He was hoping for the Avalanche to win the lottery.
- Rink RageBottom line the Leafs should have tanked the season after the trade dead line and maybe we wouldn’t be worring about trading up !!!!! Playing Poggie the rest of the season would have landed us a top 3 pick….
Robb
- ROBThis was an interesting article. Glad Howard took the initiative and called John. Good read.
- Dave CSuch a package as is described at the end of the article for Tavares would be an invitation to absolute calamity. Don’t do it Brian - break the mold for this franchise, please!
- Timberlea Tom