[browna]

The Flames side of the organization is far better off thanks to Burke.

The complete ineptitude of the previous GM who hoodwinked the owners,themselves upset with the control Sutter had, set this organization back years and peeled off a lot of the goodwill the team had through the Sutter years as being honest, straight shooters when it came to players, agents and GMs.

King and Edwards soon realized what they actually had with said previous GM. He “valued input” from those guys (which those guys liked initially) not due to wanting to include them in the process, rather because he truly needed help. A whole lot of bluster and saying what people wanted to hear, not a lot of substance, and that luster was quickly gone.

To his credit, and because he heard pretty quick in the league circles he cared about, how the team’s reputation was sinking like a stone, Edwards reached out to Shanahan to come in above that GM. Shananhan declined for family reasons, so they went after Burke. Hard. He didn’t want to come here but they got him, while Burke dictated his terms of employment.

But, what Burke did, even just by presence as soon as simply getting hired, was bring back the stability and reputation behind the scenes amongst those in the league, (owners,GMs,agents, players) of the franchise. His main operational goal was to hire a proper GM and get the culture back within the on ice players and staff. He did that on both counts.

He was there also to fight for the Flames in league matters, which he also did. Having that strong personality and reputation further built up the reputation of the team. Sounds trivial and behind the scenes, but it’s important to have agents and fellow GMs on your side, and not approached like an encyclopedia salesman, as the previous regime did.

I’m somewhat surprised he lasted this long. He really had to be convinced to take the job, and his plan was always to be the guy to just grt things back on track in the area of the GM and the club reputation, and he did that.

Again, the Flames as an organization, thanks to Burke and now Treliving, are much better off then they were before Burke arrived, I don’t think people realize who clueless and lost the franchise was after letting the last GM drive it into the ground.

Best of luck to BB.