[News] Brian Burke Fired - Nonis hired

[browna]

Great presser. He'll have a job sooner than later, though after being the Leafs GM and his opinion of the power, cache and pull that provided him, its either going to be a bigger market, or, complete and full control of a lesser franchise top to bottom to fufill that sense of importance.

As for Simmons, I am sure Burke even had reservations about saying that, simply because he knows that he's giving Simmons the extra attention that Simmons crave and has made his career on.

He's spent and made his career stirring the pot with some misguided opinion and trying to get under the skin of those who don't do as he likes, from his time at the Herald back in the 80's. But I think it was an exceptional amount of disgust Burke has for him, and couldn't hold that back at the last opportunity he was forced to have to take questions from him.

[HPLovecraft]

What's with the dislike for Burke on here (from some)? Is it because he was Leafs GM and spoke his mind a lot? I personally like him. He reminds me of Darryl Sutter, just louder. They're both hockey men of honour that have their own visions when it comes to building teams, both contribute greatly to their organizations and communities, and both have suffered hardships and successes throughout their professional and family lives.

I thought that his dismissal in Toronto would have softened some to him, considering how it appears he was the one that was wronged. I hope he lands on his feet with an organization that's a little more professional than one that has, apparently, known for months they didn't want him around any longer, and only got to firing him after a dinner the night before and when he was about to board a plane for the team the next morning.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

What's with the dislike for Burke on here (from some)? Is it because he was Leafs GM and spoke his mind a lot? I personally like him. He reminds me of Darryl Sutter, just louder. They're both hockey men of honour that have their own visions when it comes to building teams, both contribute greatly to their organizations and communities, and both have suffered hardships and successes throughout their professional and family lives.

I thought that his dismissal in Toronto would have softened some to him, considering how it appears he was the one that was wronged. I hope he lands on his feet with an organization that's a little more professional than one that has, apparently, known for months they didn't want him around any longer, and only got to firing him after a dinner the night before and when he was about to board a plane for the team the next morning.

I think it was because he chastised and bullied differing opinion. He gave the air that he was the smartest man in the room, and anyone who disagreed was an idiot. That personality only works when you are winning, and Burke said so himself.

Many people cover up their insecurity this way, to insult those who may be right into shutting up. I'm sure with this Luongo trade he probably tried to bully his way against it, and the owners had enough.

All I'm saying is he set the tone and environment that intimately fired him in this mannor. Be disrespectful and get disrespected. He knows this and alluded to as much in his presser.

On the side, I have worked with people like this before, and few have succeeded long term. A select few go very far, but the majority crash and burn. These days leaders need to be consensus builders, otherwise the dogmatic schtick wears out quick when results don't come.

In the end Burke got what he deserved and he knows it.

[Captain_Obvious]

Zero sympathy for Burke. He's a blow hard and a loud mouth and took over the biggest franchise in professional hockey and all he did was rev the engine with the car in neutral.

It can't be said enough what an absolute embarrassment the Toronto Maple Leafs are as an organization.

If there's any silver lining for Burke in this (aside from his being fired for failing) it's that Toronto continues to be a shining example of how not to run a top sporting franchise.

They are the New York Yankess of the hockey world minus the winning. All that money, reach and media coverage and there's nothing but enduring failure.

Burke is just the latest to be a part of it, but in the big picture it's just more of the same spanning back half a century for that awful franchise.

[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

All I'm saying is he set the tone and environment that intimately fired him in this mannor. Be disrespectful and get disrespected. He knows this and alluded to as much in his presser.

He is certainly this way with outsiders he doesn't like but by most accounts, this isn't the case with the people he works for or with.

[Kjesse]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I thought that his dismissal in Toronto would have softened some to him, considering how it appears he was the one that was wronged.

Being fired before his contract expires does not equate with him being wronged. He negotiated a decent contract for himself which included not only a salary other GM's could only hope for, but likely including sweetheart break provisions which would pay him generously in the event it was terminated early.

He obtained the position of GM for the Leafs by promoting himself as someone who would quickly turn the franchise's fortunes around. He convinced the then owners he was their ticket to win. He said so himself, with slightly different words.

The Leafs are still the Laughs, despite his efforts. I don't see how in these circumstances he was wronged.

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by OldDutch

I think it was because he chastised and bullied differing opinion. He gave the air that he was the smartest man in the room, and anyone who disagreed was an idiot. That personality only works when you are winning, and Burke said so himself.

Many people cover up their insecurity this way, to insult those who may be right into shutting up. I'm sure with this Luongo trade he probably tried to bully his way against it, and the owners had enough.

All I'm saying is he set the tone and environment that intimately fired him in this mannor. Be disrespectful and get disrespected. He knows this and alluded to as much in his presser.

On the side, I have worked with people like this before, and few have succeeded long term. A select few go very far, but the majority crash and burn. These days leaders need to be consensus builders, otherwise the dogmatic schtick wears out quick when results don't come.

In the end Burke got what he deserved and he knows it.

I'm not sure if we have any sources indicating he was a bully to his confidants at work, do we? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was always under the impression his rough demeanor was displayed to the media, but to his co-workers it was an unknown (except to his co-workers, of course), though he always appeared respectful enough to those beneath him and over him (and certainly was in his departure speech). Maybe he was a bully and disrespectful to Nonis and co., I'm not sure, but are you actually sure that he was?

[CaptainCrunch]

I've had a soft spot in my heart for Burke for a while. The stuff with his son showed that he was is a very good human being. His open letter to Flames fans in the Sun after the ducks eliminated the Flames was incredibly classy. When he ripped a hole in Glenn Healy during the 2004 lockout and basically told Strachan that he was full of crap on CBC was awesome.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I've had a soft spot in my heart for Burke for a while. The stuff with his son showed that he was is a very good human being. His open letter to Flames fans in the Sun after the ducks eliminated the Flames was incredibly classy. When he ripped a hole in Glenn Healy during the 2004 lockout and basically told Strachan that he was full of crap on CBC was awesome.

I remember that, it was a pretty classy move on his part.

On behalf of the entire Mighty Ducks organization, I would like to compliment the Calgary Flames fans on the pride, dedication and support they demonstrated toward the Flames and the National Hockey League during our playoff series.

The city of Calgary has one of the best hockey cultures in the League, thanks to the class and passion the fans provide in the Saddledome. I've been a part of both a winning and losing playoff series with Calgary the last two seasons, but one thing was constant: the fans' unwavering love for the Flames.

The Saddledome is one tough building to play in, due to the fans and the Sea of Red.


Yours truly,
Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Brian P. Burke,
Executive vice-president and general manager

[HPLovecraft]

Originally Posted by Delgar

Being fired before his contract expires does not equate with him being wronged. He negotiated a decent contract for himself which included not only a salary other GM's could only hope for, but likely including sweetheart break provisions which would pay him generously in the event it was terminated early.

He obtained the position of GM for the Leafs by promoting himself as someone who would quickly turn the franchise's fortunes around. He convinced the then owners he was their ticket to win. He said so himself, with slightly different words.

The Leafs are still the Laughs, despite his efforts. I don't see how in these circumstances he was wronged.

I didn't mean that simply because he was fired he was wronged. I apologize if that was the impression you got, though I did expect that comment to cause some to respond to it.

What I meant was the context and way in which he was fired. It does appear there was some disagreement between himself and management over hockey operations (though we can't be sure of this at this point), and if he was dismissed because he didn't want to be pushed into a trade that he, as the GM, didn't believe was in the interest of the club as it pertains to the game played on the ice, I personally can't help but feel that the man that was hired to make those very decisions himself was wronged.

I also can't help but feel the way the Maple Leafs brass fired him -- out of the blue, after having known for seemingly months before hand, and after taking him out to dinner the night before and pulling him off the road while he was on his way to catch a plane for the team the next morning -- as rather unprofessional. Surely, if they had talked about it for such a lengthy period of time beforehand, they could have chosen a better time and place to do the deed than that.

[OldDutch]

Originally Posted by HPLovecraft

I'm not sure if we have any sources indicating he was a bully to his confidants at work, do we? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I was always under the impression his rough demeanor was displayed to the media, but to his co-workers it was an unknown (except to his co-workers, of course), though he always appeared respectful enough to those beneath him and over him (and certainly was in his departure speech). Maybe he was a bully and disrespectful to Nonis and co., I'm not sure, but are you actually sure that he was?

No, can't say for sure. He was a jerk to the media, Without question. However, with this comment was he referring to the media only?

"I can stand here and say 'oh, they didn't like my personality,' but those all become pretexts and excuses later. If you win enough games you can be as obnoxious as you want to be."

I don't know, but this comment is pretty telling. Don't gt me wrong the guy has heart and many good qualities. However, the gruff persona was the environment he created, and confrontation was inevitable.

He'll always be Burke to the end, and that is what gets him respect for character, but to me he's just another stubborn old man who is unwilling to change this late in the game. Even if it is for his own benefit.

[Max Cow Disease]

Looked like Burke was getting pretty emotional near the end of his interview with Duthie, upon being asked about his son and whether or not he ever wants to just "take a break". The guy's nothing if not proud and stubborn, but you can see the stresses of losing a son and a job as GM shining through in his face, nonetheless.

[Ashasx]

What a bunch of nonsense.

edit: well now this post makes no sense.

[FlamesAddiction]

I think Burke is alright. It's just the Leafs and Canucks stink that is on him.

Maybe if he dressed like a gay pimp like Don Cherry, people would like him more.

[edn88]

I like Burke as well. He is over the top some times. Hate to agree with Cherry, but it his loyalty to Ron Wilson was problematic.

[FAN]

Burke was hired to turn the franchise around and was given a lot of resources to do so. Burke talked about having the biggest scouting staff in the league and was allowed to hire whomever he wanted (Dave Nonis, Rick Dudley etc.). If you take away Burke's past accomplishments, who would have questioned Burke's firing? Only issue here is the timing of it all. But hey Burke still earned a paycheck throughout the lockout.

Burke made himself into the face of the franchise. It doesn't help the team sell tickets (the Leafs sell out every game). It doesn't help them sell more jerseys (seen any Burke jerseys?) The Leafs aren't in need of a GM or President be the face of the franchise.

One argument I hate is that Burke rebuilt the team's farm system. Any GM could have done that by simply not trading away draft picks. The Leafs were bottom feeders under Brian Burke.

Burke will certainly get one more crack at being a team's GM. He might not be the first choice to run the New York Rangers, but he can certainly turn around a low-budget money-losing franchise.

[Vulcan]

The only good thing Burke has done is draft both Sedins. When he left Vancouver, Nonis had to clean up his mess. He walked into Anaheim and had to do little and than got out while the going was good. He tried to make a splash in TO but lost the second overall pick. He makes good copy but otherwise I don't see him as a very good GM.

[Calgary4LIfe]

It is really difficult to feel sorry for someone getting fired, when that person has a bit of a history trying to get other people fired. He is nothing more than a bully and a blowhard.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

The only good thing Burke has done is draft both Sedins. When he left Vancouver, Nonis had to clean up his mess. He walked into Anaheim and had to do little and than got out while the going was good. He tried to make a splash in TO but lost the second overall pick. He makes good copy but otherwise I don't see him as a very good GM.

I know he gets 0 credit for some reason for adding to that Anaheim team but getting Pronger and Niedermayer were huge reasons for the Ducks winning the Cup. Signing Selanne was a pretty smart move, picking up Kunitz didn't suck and the Beauchemin trade probably worked out as well for the Ducks. But your are right unlike every other GM that won the cup he didn't put every single piece of the Cup winning team together, just a large and important part of it.

Even though he is a huge d-bag and overrated I don't think that Canucks fans think that him drafting Kesler was that bad a thing.

[jschick88]

BREAKING: Former Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke has filed a lawsuit saying he was defamed in online comments accusing him of having an affair.

https://twitter.com/CP24

Lawsuit against who?