By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 1) – If you want to blame Brian Burke for anything in his initial foray into free agency on behalf of the Maple Leafs, perhaps suggest that he change travel agents. It turns out his flight of desperation to Sweden arrived too late to head off the Sedin twins. By the time he arrived in Stockholm, Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin had re-upped with the Vancouver Canucks, leaving Burke to perhaps pay a consolation visit to goaltending prospect Jonas Gustavsson.
Otherwise, the Leafs’ general manager accomplished all that he legitimately could in the market frenzy. Had he been able to spirit the Sedins out of Vancouver, Burke might have placed the Leafs in a position to add another skilled player or two. But, once the Canucks locked up the twins, he lost any shot at signing the likes of Mike Cammalleri or Brian Gionta – both of whom followed Scott Gomez to a more talented outfit in Montreal. As such, Burke concentrated on his initial plan to add fangs to a Toronto club that has been woefully meek since the days Tie Domi, Gary Roberts, Shayne Corson and Darcy Tucker were running Ottawa’s more gifted skaters out of the Air Canada Centre and Scotiabank Place.
The additions of Colton Orr, Garnet Exelby and Michael Komisarek did nothing to improve the Maple Leafs’ artistry, or likely their position in the Eastern Conference standings. But, rest assured the club will not go down without a fight in games next season – literally and figuratively. As well, Burke pulled off a major coup in unloading Pavel Kubina’s $5 million salary for 2009-10, though the Buds will probably miss the veteran defenseman’s classy leadership and stubbornness in defeat.
“Kuby” is one of the finest citizens to pass through the Maple Leafs’ locker room in recent years, though I’m not certain the loyalty he expressed toward the team at the trade deadline in March was rewarded by a one-way ticket to Atlanta. It’s probably safe to assume that Pavel wouldn’t have waived his no-movement clause to join the woebegone Thrashers, but that’s where former GM John Ferguson played it smartly in signing Kubina as a free agent and extending Tomas Kaberle. He assured that neither player controlled his destiny in the event the Leafs’ repeatedly missed the playoffs. Burke was therefore able to peddle Kubina to the team that offered him the best return.
The upgrade in toughness could have a spin-off effect as it pertains to Gustavsson, who probably understands he won’t win a Stanley Cup in any of Toronto, Colorado or Dallas next season. But, the “Monster” now knows that opposition players will not be allowed to storm his crease without retribution should he sign with the Blue & White. If I know Burke, he has probably hammered home that point in the past 12 hours to Gustavsson and his handlers. Exelby and Komisarek add a large dose of meanness to the Toronto blue-line, though Komisarek will likely drive Leaf fans a little crazy when he handles the puck in his own zone. But, no future hall-of-fame defensemen were available on the open market this summer, so Burke wisely opted for nastiness.
What I like most about these moves relates to my oft-stated theory about the Leafs heading into next season. None of Burke’s signings removes or diminishes opportunity for the club’s young players to skate regularly for Ron Wilson and prove – legitimately – what they can or cannot do at the NHL level.
For the first time in many years, the Leafs have a promising crop of youngsters that includes Luke Schenn, Anton Stralman, Christian Hanson, Tyler Bozak, Jiri Tlusty, Mikhail Grabovski (if retained), Nikolai Kulemin, Dale Mitchell and Chris Didomenico, who was impressive for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships last winter. Still-young veteran Ian White can be included in this group, along with second-year NHLer John Mitchell. Gustavsson would further abet the list. Burke and Wilson have nothing to lose and everything to gain by allowing these fellows a chance to mature as full-time skaters in the big league.
Burke’s rather frequent wish to make the playoffs next season is probably akin to having his fingers crossed in Lotto-649, but the abovementioned players – as a group – are largely an unknown quantity. Who’s to say, for certain, they will not form a useful chemistry in conjunction with the abrasiveness Burke added to the line-up today? It’s well worth giving it a try in 2009-10.
As it stands, the Leafs still have almost $10 million in cap space – a useful cushion heading into the season and toward the trade deadline next March. In my opinion, the purging of Kubina from the roster should have no impact on Burke’s effort to field trade proposals for Kaberle, who stands as his only true bartering gem this summer. If he can exchange Kaberle for another promising youngster, the Leafs will be even better off two and three years down the line, which is where the club is realistically aiming.
All in all, I’d say double-B has the Maple Leafs on the right track. Continue to be patient. The time will ultimately arrive for the Leafs’ GM to get involved in high-end maneuvering.
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What a load of crap Howie. Burke is nothing more than a blowhard and watch for the next big signing Todd Bertuzzi
- Gary OSorry Howard.Why do we always have to wait 2-3 yrs? Montreal sure didn’t wait. All we’ve gone after is defencemen for 2 yrs. We need people to put the puck in the net.No way Cammaleri, a Toronto boy should have signed in Mtl. They should have gone after Gionta and Madden as well.
Burke and Nonis are supposed to be 2 sharp Gms. What they did today was pure garbage. What many of the comments from fans were right, Burke is all talk and no action. Also, what Gm. in his first year as gm would go travelling to Europe on the most important day. He could have gone Thursday or Friday. Burke sold us a phony bill of goods.I’m sure Stewart is really going to be popping in those goals for us.(Stapleton ,who we gave up is better than Stewart.) Kubina should have been kept,he is better than the 2 guys we got. What is Burke doing with the money he is saving, giving it to the Teachers Fund? Kubina should have got us a lot more in return. Brian, please do us a favour, stop talking. You are really starting to make a fool of yourself. Everybody was worried that Gainey was losing it, well in 2 days he got Gomez, and signed Cammeleri,Gionta,Spacek and Hal Gill. We got Orr (not the good one) Exelby and Stuart. Enough said. Brian you let us down,again. 0 for 3. Trade deadline,entry draft, free agency.I’m sure Rick Nash will want to come here in 2010.These moves should also impress Gustuvson.All games will have to be won by 1 to nothing scores. You blew it Brian. Even Don Waddell took you two guys for a ride.
- AngeloGood Blog, finally something worth making a comment about after reading your thoughts for a while….your tight on the money, this day is only a stepping stone for future moves and deals, for the first time in a while, i see a plan coming together, add grit first, then add high end talent when the time is right. Kaberle will be the defining move of this offseason
- IainHi Howard,
I find it funny that Leaf fans have continuously said they are willing to lose for a few years to get the right group of young players to succeed. Then only a year after deciding to take that direction many fans are already complaining that they didn’t sign any of the top end free agents. I agree with you. Take it slow and allow the young players to develop. The Leafs way of the past should be over and now they are letting the team build exactly the right way!
- Andrew ClarkLeaf fans, be patient.This is about building the foundation and changing the culture for a Stanley Cup run.This will give the club a chance to assess the young players.Go Leafs Go.
- PhilAsuccessful day.. Don,t stop there. We need more abrasive forwards.
- JimHoward,
I’m on board! I like the grit that the Leafs have added.. very much! Now if only the LeafFans can just stop their whining and complaining, and just be patient and deal with the growing pains.. now that we’re legitimately heading in the right direction, enough of the criticism!!! Go Leafs!
- FrancoWow Howard!! Good for you!! You seem to have sold your high horse and have been actually reporting and making thoughtful commentary, this is when you’re at your best. When you’re making personal attacks on willy and burkie you sound like the 45 year old man at marlies games in blue and white facepaint, still mad over the trade of Lanny Mcdonald and the treatment of Dave Keon.
- okaleafThis is Much better.
Agreed.
Howard, I really like what Mr. Burke did yesterday. By significantly adding toughness, he has protected his goalies, protected the young skill players and taken the onus off of Luke Schenn to fight everyone’s battles. We should be a much more competitive team next year (even if we don’t win many more games) and we’ve positioned ourselves better for a few years down the road.
I too would still move Kaberle for a promising young forward who can help us down the line. Besides, we may as well see if Strahlman and White can move the puck.
- DavidI totally agree Howard. I look at the young players that may get a shot in the upcoming season much as I look at the Jays pitching staff this season in baseball. A kid needs a chance to show his chops legitimately at the big league and in this case the NHL level. I’m hoping to see the young guys go hard and see what they really can do. So far so good in my opinion with Burke at the helm.
- D.A MitchellWell done Howard,
I’m not a huge leaf fan. Theya re the local team and receive all the coverage. That being said, I have always found your reporting to be very informative and your opinions are usually right on the money. I agree with you on this. If I were a Habs fan right now, I’d be worried about games against Toronto next season, especially with the lack of size they’ve added.
P.S- Am I the only Oilers fant hat doesn’t want this Heatley deal to go through?
- David BlancheCOULD BURKE BE POSITIONING HIMSELF FOR POSSIBLE RUN AT ONE OF THE BEST PROSPECTS MAYBE IN A WHILE TAYLOR HALL I SURE HOPE SO THIS COULD BE THE SUPER STAR WE NEED TO MOVE THE LEAFS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. HERE IS HOPING HE CAN MOVE CABERLE TOO AND TAKES TO THE FIRST PICK OVER ALL.
- ROBERT KOTYKHoward, I think that rotating the goalies is essential to moving forward. Vesa Toskala is not a bad goalie, but he has been overused. Whoever plays in goal for the Leafs needs adequate rest.
- RJ PancerCome on Howard your lips are starting to give Burke’s butt whisker burns….lol
- DanOne day you seem to find rumers what you feel would help the team, but soon as he dosen’t do what you think he would do, you say he played it smart.
myself feel that had the sedin’s been on the market he would have sign them, and that would have a big time mistake
Glen Sather continues to make the Rangers a joke. Signing both Gomez and Drury a couple of years ago was a mistake from the start. He looked smart for unloading Gomez’s contract to MTL and then turns around and grabs Gaborik, who has yet to prove anything to anyone. That much money for a guy who is injured every 4 seconds - pathetic. Anyone remember after the lockout when Sather said he’d learned his lesson and was gonna build from within?
- BobI can see it now, Brashear or Laraque will get in a fight in November that results in someone getting seriously injured, and this will be the year that fighting is banned by Bettman and Daly. Once again, the Leafs “truculent” game plan goes down the crapper, and were left with a bunch amateur boxers on skates that can’t shoot a puck. If that doesn’t happen, we’ll have a tough team for Don Cherry to to praise for 10 minutes every Saturday night (except for the last 30 seconds when he blubbers over the names of our fallen heroes.
Either way, Ron Wilson will now be able to start harping on about what a great defensive coach he is again, thanks to Burke’s dealings. Ass.
- FireRonWilsonHi Howard
- DavidAll things considered a good day for Burke and the Leafs. He did the “heavy” lifting yesterday. Now he can look for more skill over the next year (trade deadline, draft, and free agent market). I agree that the Leafs’ prospects, while not in the Red Wings’ league, are cause for optimism. If we’re lucky, one or more of them will help solve the skill question.
2 forwards should have been signed, to show people they are trying to improve the team. Was any effort made to sign Hossa or Havelat or Gaborik? Nonis said we don’t want to sign marginal forwards to big deals to score a few more goals. It won’t help us long term. I guess paying Knuble 5.6 mil for 2yrs scoring 27 goals last year and 2.75m for 1 year for John Madden is overpaying? We had room We should have kept Kubina or done better in the trade of him.It’s ok. 4.5m for Komisarek and 3.5m for Finger. That will make us competitive.Also, everyone is banking on Nash for next year.Who said he even wants to come here. When a Toronto boy like Cammelleri doesn’t want to sign here, it says something. Players no longer want to play in Toronto.
- AngeloFirst “bold” prediction. Colton Orr will be the most loved Leaf since Tie whats-his-name and Wade Belak.
If the Leafs average a fight per night and anywhere near .500 the next two years, it will be a roaring success.
2nd prediction. Nash would be absolutely NUTS to sign here and won’t.
Last. The Bruins would be crazy to flip Kessl straight up for Baberle…and they aren’t crazy unless money is the ONLY motivating factor.
- GaryWhat happened to “moving up in the draft”, “drastically changing the team so that we make the play-offs” next year. It seems like the 09-10 team will look remarkably like last year’s team but maybe worse.
I guess it’s easy to talk big and not be held accountable because the team/media worship you because they can only see in blue and white.
Be patient Toronto…. the cupboard is still as bare as it was in the 70’s.
- DJTo the BURKE naysayers, you call him a blowhard but you don’t listen to him. BURKE has said from the very start this is going to be a long rebuilding process, that he wants to build a physically tough team, and that he has to change the “air of entitlement.” Do you think anyone on the team will DARE coast through the year next year, particularly after KABERLE is traded? People are angry because he failed to trade up by giving away SCHENN? ALLAIRE was an excellent move. As to Montreal, does any serious student of the game think Mtl has improved with GOMEZ & GIONTA? They have no size to protect CAMMALLERI. KADRI was an excellent pick, and contray to belief, there are skilled prospects in the organization. 40 years of losing doesn’t get erased in one year.
- Rob JAMESwith all these goons who is going to score goals blake, lots to look forward to when season starts. And by the way cliff could of done a better job with less hot air.JFJ were are you
- keith gI like what Burke has done, because he has added some parts for long term benefit. He has allowed young players the opportunity to play and be surrounded by decent size. BEST OF ALL WE WILL HAVE A GREAT SHOT AT TAYLOR HALL. GO GET HIM BURKE. Atlanta is better, NYI are better, TB is better, Colorado is better and healthier, and LA is better. As long as Ottawa stays out of our way we should be able to sweep down like an eagle and dig our talons into that first overall pick, Taylor Hall.
- PaulThe Leafs may not put more pucks in the net this year but with the free agents that were signed they should be able to keep more out. This is a start. Stanley Cup in 2012.
- NXTYERI’m glad the leafs didn’t sign Cammelleri. He isn’t worth $6 million per year.
Gainey went nuts and signed a couple of overpaid players and traded for another one. All under-sized. All overrated.
I hope Burkie can pull off that Kessel trade with Boston. That would surely shut up the impatient fans.
- Scotty