Burke Speaks - January 30, 2014

[macrov]

Apparently talking to tier 1 fans. I;ve heard the following

- Close to resigning russel
- Didnt like feaster drafts except 2013 (I thought 2011 was amazing, but what do I know)
- Loves Hartley
-Wont be drafting small players in upcoming draft

Basically same old...Anyone at the luncheon willing to provide more details?

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by macrov

Apparently talking to tier 1 fans. I;ve heard the following

- Close to resigning russel

[Aeneas]

Originally Posted by macrov

Apparently talking to tier 1 fans. I;ve heard the following

- Close to resigning russel
- Didnt like feaster drafts except 2013 (I thought 2011 was amazing, but what do I know)
- Loves Hartley
-Wont be drafting small players in upcoming draft

Basically same old...Anyone at the luncheon willing to provide more details?

So no Reinhart or Bennett if Ekblad is gone.

[Ashasx]

Goodbye Sam Bennett.

It's funny. He's completely wrong. Our 2011 draft was superb. Our 2013 draft outside of the first round was abysmal.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by macrov

Apparently talking to tier 1 fans. I;ve heard the following

- Close to resigning russel
- Didnt like feaster drafts except 2013 (I thought 2011 was amazing, but what do I know)
- Loves Hartley
-Wont be drafting small players in upcoming draft

Basically same old...Anyone at the luncheon willing to provide more details?

Not a huge fan of this mindset, leads to drafting mistakes.

Take the BPA and worry about it later.

[Swayze11]

is 6'0 technically "small"?

or in the case of Reinhart 6'1

[Poe969]

The Flames need big players right now. I 100% agree that we don't need any more small players in the system.

[PeteMoss]

Err Bennett and Reinhart are both listed at 6'0 or above. I wouldn't consider them small... just not big.

[CaptainCrunch]

Trade for another mid first rounder and try to get Virtanen from the Hitmen.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

Originally Posted by Aeneas

So no Reinhart or Bennett if Ekblad is gone.

Reinhart's not small though. 6'1" 183 lbs. Plus, obviously he'll grow too.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The Flames need big players right now. I 100% agree that we don't need any more small players in the system.

If you pass on Sam Bennett to pick Draisaitl, you're making a mistake. There's no ifs or buts here.

But yeah, Burke's strategy of drafting the Biggs of the world sure is working out in Toronto.

[davidbjordan]

hopefully we draft the next Freddy Gauthier?

[SuperMatt18]

Couple of other things that were just texted to me (GF who manages Season Tickets for her work is at the event):

• Backlund is greatly improved this year but is not a great skater and that holds him back. (Don't see any issues with his skating at all IMO)

• Selling anyone who doesn't re-sign by the trade deadline, won't get into specifics.

• We're drafting for size, we are too small

• Goalies are incomplete, expect to use a later round pick on a goalie.

• Glencross needs to be consistent when he comes back (According to GF did not sound like he is a big fan of him)

• Gio and Stempniak had injuries due to not wearing the foot protectors. Calls it stupid not to wear them (actually referred to Gio and Stempniak as "Dumb and Dumber" in the statement.

• Likes Gaudreau, Great skill. But he's not small, he's tiny.

• Didn't seem as keen on Jankowski. "Amazing shot but release is too slow. Needs more time in school."

• What we saw in Vancouver won't be the last.. Wants entertaining, physical hockey. Likes the McGrattans and Westgarths on the 4th line.

• Will not be GM. Really likes this organizational set up.

• GM/AGM will not be in place until after the draft. Teams are not willing to grant permission to talk until after the draft at this point since they are in draft lock down mode from now until the draft.

• Expects a busy week of trades from Closing Ceremonies until trade deadline due to the blackout. Thinks lots of GMs will be discussing and making things work in that blackout time.

• Thinks we need a new arena. Travel and Canadian market makes it hard to attract free agents so in order to help you need to have a top class rink and training facility.

• Scouting direction criteria has changed once again this year. Bigger emphasis on the character of a player (told the Jagr and Linden stories again).

• Does not think that 18 year olds should play in the NHL. Better to give them time to develop mentally and physically. (Don't expect our 1st rounder to jump right in next year.)

Also to note these were text highlights provided to me by my GF. So I cannot comment on the context of the comments and any additional insights he may have provided.

So just remember that before jumping over all of the content since they may be missing some context.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Goodbye Sam Bennett.

It's funny. He's completely wrong. Our 2011 draft was superb. Our 2013 draft outside of the first round was abysmal.

LOL. Is he completely wrong...................not sure what any of the players we've drafted that year have accomplished to prove him wrong at this point. I'm not saying we aren't in a time will tell state, and hopefully he is proven wrong, but your assertment at this point that he is wrong is comical.

[devo22]

I really don't get what's supposed to be wrong with the 2011 draft. I thought - and still think - that this was one of the best Flames drafts I've ever seen. And it really pisses me off when Burke criticizes Feasters and Weisbrods drafting. Look at his own drafting record, it's horrible.

[saillias]

lol. Burke will not pass over #1 C talent because the kid is "only" 6'0" or 6'1", the latter of which being NHL average for forwards.

[Canada 02]

has anyone looked at Burke draft history in detail? A quick glance at hockeydb looks like he is been mediocre at best. He may not like Feaster's drafting, but I'm not overly confident Burke is going to draft great prospects for the Flames either. Certainly don't like that he is narrow minded when it comes to player size

[Buck Murdock]

Must be "BIG". Real scientific analysis. Good to hear he's listening to the expert advice of his scouts.

[Poe969]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If you pass on Sam Bennett to pick Draisaitl, you're making a mistake. There's no ifs or buts here.

But yeah, Burke's strategy of drafting the Biggs of the world sure is working out in Toronto.

I don't think he'd do that at all. I think he'll find a way to get Ekblad. I feel that Burke sees him as the best guy and that he fills a hole that the Flames need to address. I'm still willing to bet the Flames get Ekblad.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by devo22

I really don't get what's supposed to be wrong with the 2011 draft. I thought - and still think - that this was one of the best Flames drafts I've ever seen.

The 0 full time NHLers we have right now doesn't really lend itself to being a great draft at this point. Could it be.. sure... but its still potential.