[News] Brian Burke joining Calgary Flames as President of Hockey Operations

[pseudoreality]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

I still remember Brian Burke writing a letter to the editor in the Herald after the Ducks beat out the Flames in 2005.

It was very classy

There were no playoffs in 2005.

In 2006 Burke called out the Flames for talking about a BOA while they were still in the middle of a series against the Ducks.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by _Q_

I actually have been a fan of what Feaster has done for the most part. I think his strengths have been scouting and signing our current players to ridiculously good contracts (save for the Tanguay contract, which I hated from the get-go). With that said, I feel like Feaster has been pretty bad at going after "The Big Fish" type players whether it's through trade or free agency.

What I hope is Feaster keeps doing what he's good at, but the organization lets Burke do the Big Fish hunting so to speak. Say what you say about Burke's trades, the man does usually get the guy he wants at all costs. I think that is a good think to have in this organization.

Like Burke says, if he and Feaster are committed to making it work then it will work. Your comments got me to thinking. Feaster doesn't have that big game hunter experience like Burke has. If Feaster truly wants to make this work then he'll benefit by learning from Burke, and that can only be good for the Flames. If Feaster isn't willing to learn some new aspects of his job, then he won't last long and Burke will be replacing Feaster within a couple of years... which would be good to move out a company asset that isn't interested in being a productive part of the team, but not that great to keep changing the GM position.

Adding Burke isn't changing the GM position, because Feaster is still the GM. Adding Burke as President will enhance the GM position for the Flames.

[Stupid]

I'm 6"2 and 150 lbs.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

There were no playoffs in 2005.

In 2006 Burke called out the Flames for talking about a BOA while they were still in the middle of a series against the Ducks.

He meant 2006. It should be noted he called out the Calgary media, not the Flames. Though, I'm not even sure what you mean by "BOA", but I distinctly remember he specifically calling out the media, while praising the fans, and then subsequently writing a letter.

[SuperMatt18]

I have heard Feaster speak on a couple of occasions and he has always spoken very highly of Burke and if feels like they had a good working relationship prior to this move.

I think Feaster will actually respond better to Burke then he would have Shanahan.

Burke has a proven track record, is well respected, and has a wealth of experience. I do not think that Feaster will have any issue differing to Burke, you could tell in the way he spoke about him that he respects Burke.

However with Shanahan you have a guy with no management experience and no proven track record. Having a guy like that brought in and being your superior would be much harder to take then a proven hockey mind like Burke.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

Craig Conroy = Skinny Pete or Badger

Definitely Badger, I can totally imagine Conroy telling the Star Trek story yo.

[$ven27]

Best news we've had in YEARS.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by $ven27

Best news we've had in YEARS.

ummmm you must have missed

"Luongo remains a Canuck" or
"Mactavish returns to the Oilers as GM"

[browna]

Originally Posted by pseudoreality

There were no playoffs in 2005.

In 2006 Burke called out the Flames for talking about a BOA while they were still in the middle of a series against the Ducks.

Not sure about the middle of a series, I think it was just before Game 6 of the Flames/Ducks series that the Oilers had won, and the Flames had two chances to win and go to face the Oilers. They got Conroy on the phone from LA and he said he'd come up to watch those games.

Huselius hitting a post on a breakaway in one of the later games (maybe it was 6?) could've been the one to put the Flames through...he hit the post with 6 or so minutes to go in the third, Yelle got a penalty as the guy picking the puck up off the post sped past him, ANA ties the game on the PP, and then wins it in OT.

Edit: Was game 6, it was tied 1-1. Huselius hit the post with around 5 mins to go, Yelle got the penalty off the rebound then Niedermeyer scored on the resultant PP and ANA won 2-1, but not in OT.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap?gid=2006050125


Anyways, here's the letter.

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/...9-458c1fcfbbd6

[djsFlames]

Yeah the idea of Torts getting inked with the Canucks, and Burke taking over operations in Calgary... I would've called it mental. Some hilarious fantasy. And yet, here we are.

[Phanuthier]

Thanks browna..... BB might be a loud mouth big talker, but he really talks straight from the heart and you know he takes a ton of pride in his job and has a ton of respect for the industry he works in... you can tell he lives and dies for hockey, a must of you want to be competitive in this league. BB is a great addition to the Flames.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Videos are up for those who missed the presser (like me)

Ken King Intro



Brian Burke



Q&A



Brian Burke 1-on-1



Hartley on Burke

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by Buff

Like Burke says, if he and Feaster are committed to making it work then it will work. Your comments got me to thinking. Feaster doesn't have that big game hunter experience like Burke has. If Feaster truly wants to make this work then he'll benefit by learning from Burke, and that can only be good for the Flames. If Feaster isn't willing to learn some new aspects of his job, then he won't last long and Burke will be replacing Feaster within a couple of years... which would be good to move out a company asset that isn't interested in being a productive part of the team, but not that great to keep changing the GM position.

Adding Burke isn't changing the GM position, because Feaster is still the GM. Adding Burke as President will enhance the GM position for the Flames.

This is how I view it too. Feaster is now surrounded with "Hockey guys". There is an extra level of separation between the owners, Ken King and Feaster. I can definitely see Burke as being a good guy to put between the ownership and the management, even if it is just to silence the rumours of meddling.

The way I see it, Feaster (and Conroy) can now focus on the day to day operation of their teams. Make sure the paperwork is up to date and that everything is running smoothly. And both of them will funnel their reports into Burke so that he can make sure the big picture is going in the right direction.

I can see this as becoming a very good thing for the Heat as well as the Flames.

Then, when it comes time to do things like trade players at the deadline this season, I can see Burke being in the room while Feaster is making phone calls to make sure that we are "winning" the trades. This will be one of the biggest features of having Burke in the organization (in my mind) - Burke wins a lot of trades.

[PloKoon]

Seem to be the only flames fan immensely disappointed by the news. His expiry date in the NHL was reached the day he named Phaneuf the Leafs captain. He just doesn't go away. Like a Lindy Ruff character. I don't like this one bit folks. Living in ON I've had quite enough of his ego overshadowing the team every second night in Toronto and I just hope since it's not a GM position it will regress slightly the way it should. If the team needs a kick in the @ss, get a good coach. Your "Presidents of hockey operations" shouldn't be the bombastic personalities to rejuvenate a team. aaaaaarghh

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by PloKoon

Seem to be the only flames fan immensely disappointed by the news. His expiry date in the NHL was reached the day he named Phaneuf the Leafs captain. He just doesn't go away. Like a Lindy Ruff character. I don't like this one bit folks. Living in ON I've had quite enough of his ego overshadowing the team every second night in Toronto and I just hope since it's not a GM position it will regress slightly the way it should. If the team needs a kick in the @ss, get a good coach. Your "Presidents of hockey operations" shouldn't be the bombastic personalities to rejuvenate a team. aaaaaarghh

I can't see how anyone could complain about this, he's very good at what he does. Maybe an ass, but who cares as long as he gets results.

[EM11]

After watching that one-on-one with Bruke I somehow feel much better about this. It feels like an adult is finally in charge of the front office.

[PloKoon]

Originally Posted by $ven27

I can't see how anyone could complain about this, he's very good at what he does. Maybe an ass, but who cares as long as he gets results.

- Not firing Ron Wilson sooner
- Phil Kessel deal
- Signing Komisarek to a five year contract
- Naming Phaneuf captain
- Treatment of Kadri in the media
- Failure to find a proper first line center during his tenure (sound familiar?)
- Failure to reach playoffs while with the club

I could go on. And Bryan murrary largely built the 07' ducks team. Burke added Pronger who wanted to leave Edmonton, and Neidermeyer.
He's not going back into a similar situation, he's going into another Canadian bubble market, with the highest vegas odds to finish last overall in the league.

We'll see what happens, but I was skeptical of this idea from the day rumors were going around. Would have much preferred Shannahan

[Ashasx]

Komisarek's deal at the time wasn't bad at all.

He simply fell off completely once he left Montreal.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by PloKoon

- Not firing Ron Wilson sooner
- Phil Kessel deal
- Signing Komisarek to a five year contract
- Naming Phaneuf captain
- Treatment of Kadri in the media
- Failure to find a proper first line center during his tenure (sound familiar?)
- Failure to reach playoffs while with the club

I could go on. And Bryan murrary largely built the 07' ducks team. Burke added Pronger who wanted to leave Edmonton, and Neidermeyer.
He's not going back into a similar situation, he's going into another Canadian bubble market, with the highest vegas odds to finish last overall in the league.

We'll see what happens, but I was skeptical of this idea from the day rumors were going around. Would have much preferred Shannahan

Why? What is his list of accomplishments that puts him ahead of Burke?

Honest question.

[Tailgator]

Originally Posted by PloKoon

- Not firing Ron Wilson sooner Agreed
- Phil Kessel deal This deal doesn't look as bad now.
- Signing Komisarek to a five year contractWasn't a bad deal at the time - like Jaybo
- Naming Phaneuf captain [/B]Maybe not the greatest captain, but who else was better on the team?[/B]
- Treatment of Kadri in the mediaKadri needed a kick it he a$$, seems like it worked....
- Failure to find a proper first line center during his tenure (sound familiar?)A first line centre is likely one of the hardest commodities to get, not like the Leafs were rolling in assets to trade for one - sound familiar?
- Failure to reach playoffs while with the clubwhether people want to admit it or not, the team he built made the playoffs

I could go on. And Bryan murrary largely built the 07' ducks team. Burke added Pronger who wanted to leave Edmonton, and Neidermeyer. so he added the 2 most important pieces (arguably) to the Ducks cup run.
He's not going back into a similar situation, he's going into another Canadian bubble market, with the highest vegas odds to finish last overall in the league.

We'll see what happens, but I was skeptical of this idea from the day rumors were going around. Would have much preferred Shannahan

what has Shanny done to earn a better reputation?