[News] Feaster and Weisbrod relieved of duties. Burke will hire a new GM

[Roughneck]

Considering how the Bruins are built I'd like to think Benning would be the guy (though Weisbrod came from the Bruins as well).

Nieuwendyk would just be too obvious of a puppet considering his record as GM. I don't really care that Burke is pulling the strings of the new GM, but I still like the illusion.

[ClubFlames]

Originally Posted by edslunch

If the Leafs are such a hotbed of managerial talent why do they suck so badly? Would prefer to draw talent from an actual winning program (e.g. Boston) or at least one that seems to get the most out of their resources.

We did have a Stanley Cup winning GM in Feaster and Asst GM Weisbrod so the winning organization thing doesn't really matter to me. As long as the philosophy and the goal of our organization stays the same from top to bottom we will be fine with whoever Burke hires.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by nik-

It would be so awesome to have Loob in the fold. All he's done since taking over duties at Farjestad is turn them into the SEL's Detroit Red Wings. I was hoping we could have had him as President someday, I don't think he would be good under Burke.

Also, I'll be pretty disappointed if it's one of the Leafs guys. Of the ones who are targets, their resumes are the worst and it would come across as a really lazy search by Burke.

I agree. Right or wrong, it would look bad. I also prefer all of the other guys on the suspected lists, much more than the two Leafs (but maybe that's my bias).

[JayP]

Originally Posted by getbak

At first, I assumed it was just a guilt-by-association thing with Weisbrod. Since he was a Feaster hire, Burke didn't want to keep him around and force him upon the new guy. Give the new guy a clean slate to work with.

However, earlier today, I was listening to one of the interviews Burke gave with The Fan in Toronto (nothing on the Fan 960 site, but there is on the Fan 590, weird), and he said that he and Weisbrod don't see eye-to-eye on their ideas about how to build a team. So, it would appear it was more than just getting rid of Feaster and his guy.


In the past, Burke has been critical of the usage of "advanced stats", whereas, I think Feaster and Weisbrod really embraced them. You have to wonder how long Chris Snow will be with the team if that's the case?

Weisbrod was not a big proponent of advanced stats either. I distinctly remember him having an extended interview on CalgaryFlames.com after he was brought in and he basically said the usual hockey response - "it's different than baseball and you can't have these stats to evaluate individual players in a team game".

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by edslunch

If the Leafs are such a hotbed of managerial talent why do they suck so badly? Would prefer to draw talent from an actual winning program (e.g. Boston) or at least one that seems to get the most out of their resources.

Everyone involved with hockey in Toronto is 40-60 per cent overrated. Poulin was a great player and a great captain with a Flyers team that made the Cup finals twice. But his resume as an executive is meh. One former Leaf executive is enough. Fenton would at least have experience developing and managing talent within the framework of a tight budget, without resorting to UFAs, something Leafs management always has problems with.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by JayP

Weisbrod was not a big proponent of advanced stats either. I distinctly remember him having an extended interview on CalgaryFlames.com after he was brought in and he basically said the usual hockey response - "it's different than baseball and you can't have these stats to evaluate individual players in a team game".

I think a lot of GM's aren't basing the majority of talent evaluation on advanced stats. The basis of scouting is still scouts watching players live and watching tape. Advanced stats are a tool not a basis for scouting.

[getbak]

Brian Burke's top secret interviews: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2013/12...dates-for.html

[nik-]

Originally Posted by getbak

Brian Burke's top secret interviews: http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2013/12...dates-for.html

Way too long to be funny.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by nik-

Way too long to be funny.

This part was good though.....

Lowe: Now look, I know we have some history and we're not exactly best of friends. But hear me out. You're about to embark on a rebuilding process for an Alberta-based team. And there is literally nobody on the planet who has more experience with that than I do.

Burke: That is true.

Lowe: I mean, I've been doing it for 13 straight years.

Burke: You did make the finals that one time.

Lowe (indignantly): We all make mistakes.

Burke: OK, fine, I'll humor you. What's your plan for rebuilding the Flames?

Lowe: Well, it's a simple three-year plan. And to make sure everyone keeps their eye on that goal, I'd bring along my patented Oilers Rebuild Countdown Clock™.

(He wheels out a digital scoreclock that reads "3y:00m:00d:00h:00m:00s". He hits a button, and it begins to count down.)

Burke: Impressive.

Lowe: Yeah. I find it keeps everyone really focused. Builds a real sense of urgency within the organization. No excuses, you know?

Burke: Uh, it just reset itself back to three years.

Lowe: Yeah, it's programmed to do that every few minutes.

Burke: Get out.

[neo45]

Ya I usually hate things like that but that was pretty well done. Nonis' ring tone was great

and how Feaster can't read the writing on the wall

[JayP]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think a lot of GM's aren't basing the majority of talent evaluation on advanced stats. The basis of scouting is still scouts watching players live and watching tape. Advanced stats are a tool not a basis for scouting.

I agree. I just recall from the interview that based on what Weisbrod said and his tone that he didn't even consider them when making any sort of hockey decision. This obviously isn't unique from other guys around the league. And it's almost certainly not the reason Burke didn't see eye-to-eye with him.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by nik-

It would be so awesome to have Loob in the fold. All he's done since taking over duties at Farjestad is turn them into the SEL's Detroit Red Wings. I was hoping we could have had him as President someday, I don't think he would be good under Burke.

Also, I'll be pretty disappointed if it's one of the Leafs guys. Of the ones who are targets, their resumes are the worst and it would come across as a really lazy search by Burke.

Unfortunately, Loob pretty much made it clear the first time around that NHL glory wasn't his ambition and he really wanted to return home.

[Freeway]

My impression was that Burke spoke to many people about Feaster and Weisbrod, and his impressions were poor enough based on those conversations to terminate both of them.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Unfortunately, Loob pretty much made it clear the first time around that NHL glory wasn't his ambition and he really wanted to return home.

Yeah, but he did it for family (which I assume is mostly kids) and it was 25 years ago. It would have been worth a shot.

[PeteMoss]

From his brief moment on 24/7 Poulin at least came off as smart and well-spoken. That's the extent of my knowledge of him as an exec.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Freeway

My impression was that Burke spoke to many people about Feaster and Weisbrod, and his impressions were poor enough based on those conversations to terminate both of them.

That was the impression I got as well. Left me wondering if there was something that put a red flag up for Burke, but we will probably never know.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by DazzlinDino

That was the impression I got as well. Left me wondering if there was something that put a red flag up for Burke, but we will probably never know.

ROR and the Iginla trade are likely two instances that would have outside staffs saying "wtf"

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by nik-

ROR and the Iginla trade are likely two instances that would have outside staffs saying "wtf"

Could probably throw some issues with drafting as well.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by nik-

ROR and the Iginla trade are likely two instances that would have outside staffs saying "wtf"

I wonder if the ROR debacle is the one that gave people around the NHL that Feaster/Weisbrod "thought they were smarter then everyone else" ?

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Freeway

My impression was that Burke spoke to many people about Feaster and Weisbrod, and his impressions were poor enough based on those conversations to terminate both of them.

New hockey managers always bring in their own guys.

This was probably the plan from the start. Burke probably only waited this long to keep up appearances.