Quote:
Originally Posted by swo2k1
Burke should get more credit for his work in Anaheim. Sure there was some nice pieces there when he took over but Burke is the guy who brought in Chris Pronger. He also signed Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selanne.
It's not like he just slid in to the GM role and let it all happen.
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Granted, I forgot about Pronger. But Niedermayer had three Cups already and wanted to play with his brother - so much so that he took less in Anaheim than the Devils offered. All Burke did was put his name on the contract on behalf of the team. It was Rob Niedermayer's existence in Anaheim that made it possible. Selanne, likewise, wanted to go back to where he was comfortable after the disaster that was chasing a cup in Denver in 03-04.
In truth though, we can argue how important Burke was or was not until the end of time. He has had some success, otherwise he wouldn't have had a 15-year career as GM of various teams. But he is not, and never has been, a top three GM in the NHL like so many once believed. I wouldn't even put him top ten. But people get dazzled by his arrogance and convince themselves he is better than he really is.
And this is all made worse by the fact that he isn't the GM. So we take that completely overrated track record and me-me-me personality and add what will be a serious case of meddling, and yeah, I'm not a fan.