Burke Speaks - January 30, 2014

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by devo22

if we fail to draft Ekblad, I could easily see Burke drop a few spots to take Nick Ritchie. Lemieux with our second pick. Not that I'd agree with it, but it wouldn't surprise me.

In my worst nightmares.

Drafting Ritchie would be like drafting Radek Faksa.

[PeteMoss]

Soooooo... this is why hockey people don't bother saying anything. They give a little and people jump all over it and put words in his mouth.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

He's completely wrong.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

you're making a mistake. There's no ifs or buts here.

Originally Posted by Ashasx

He is wrong. There is no argument. It worries me that he's so wrong.

He's too arrogant for his own good.

Oh, sometimes you crack me up Ashasx....I appreciate your passion on your positions though I really do. Would not want to argue politics or religion with you.

[sun]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Too much skill, not enough truculence.

Think him diminishing the 2011 and 2012 drafts comes down to the first rounders.

He is not a fan of Sven, and likely doesn't like Jankowski.

In terms of late round picks I am not sure how you can not like some of the players we got in those drafts though.

I think you're probably right in regards to the first rounders. Jankowski is understandable, but I still have hope.

Sven though... who would Burke have picked instead at that spot? Andrew Shaw? lol

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

Oh, sometimes you crack me up Ashasx....I appreciate your passion on your positions though I really do. Would not want to argue politics or religion with you.

How about you reply in regards to the content of my posts instead of my history as a poster?

[Flamin' DBag]

I really hope this doesn't mean they take someone like Ritchie with the Flames first. If size is a requirement and the value isn't there, I'm hoping they trade back and get an extra pick. Fleury, Virtanen and Tuch are guys that sound like a fit and I'd rather have one of them and an additional pick or prospect than a guy like Ritchie.

[btimbit]

Top 5 scouted players in the 2014 draft are all over 6 feet. I don't think we have to worry about the 'small' players comment and not just getting the first available for that first pick. Bennet is a little on the light side but other than that, people reading too much into it

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

In my worst nightmares.

Drafting Ritchie would be like drafting Radek Faksa.

who knows. We're talking about a guy that criticizes our 2011 draft, but who himself failed miserably in that draft. He traded 30th and 39th for 22nd and drafted Tyler Biggs, who is big of course, but has "bust" written all over him. Anaheim took the two picks and select Rickard Rakell and John Gibson ... enough said.

I like some aspects about Burke being a GM, but the draft is none of them.

[SuperMatt18]

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 contents.

Originally Posted by 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)

• Also sounds like he had a bunch of praise of Backlund before that, that didn't make the original text highlights.
  
  Really likes his play, good hockey sense, good defensively. Most improved player this year and over the last month has proven he is an option as a 2nd line center, where it was looking like he was a 3rd line center previously.

• 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.)

Moved this here since I think some are missing the additional comments he made.

[nik-]

Ok, size is good and all obviously, but drafting for size? Size should be a tiebreaker for two players unless they are really small, like sub 5'10". It shouldn't be such a main focus.

To me Reinhart at 6'1" is absolutely fine size. I'm curious as to what he thinks of as "size". Because Draisaitl is really the only NHL ready size near the top half with forwards. So what, is he the choice if we're at 3?

[troutman]

I just hope Burke can find a goalie that is 4'0" high and 6'0" wide.

[Robo]

Just wondering if any of our 2011 picks were over six feet maybe he isnt happy with the size?

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Moved this here since I think some are missing the additional comments he made.

Thanks. Didn't see that you continued to edit it

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

He is wrong. There is no argument. It worries me that he's so wrong.

Baertschi - 24 points in 51 NHL games - far above average for his draft position
Wotherspoon - played at the WJC last year, is working his way to becoming a solid contributor with the Heat
Granlund - having a fantastic rookie season in the AHL
Gaudreau - I don't think I need to say anything
Brossoit - 2012 WHL playoff MVP. Used in a trade to acquire Smid

Our 2011 draft was fantastic. Given the position of the picks, it was miles ahead of the 2013 draft.

Every time Burke opens his mouth, he scares me. He's too arrogant for his own good.

Good point, can't argue with amazing facts like "I don't think I need to say anything" and "having a fantasitc rookie season".

Completely retract my statement

[CsInMyBlood]

"Backlund is greatly improved this year but is not a great skater and that holds him back."

Seriously?

How can anybody say Backlund is not a great skater? That comment makes it obvious Burke doesn't even watch the Flames play.

Back to drafting size as the main requirement are we? Can't wait to get another Pelech, Chucko, or Nemisz in the first round, that really worked out well.

[DSIM420]

I would have to think if you are 5'9 or less you would be tiny, Under 6' you would be small, 6'-6'2" average, 6'3" and over would be big, 6'5" and over would be huge. But then again I am not Brian Burke so who knows.

[ClubFlames]

I don't like all the emphasis on size he is putting for the draft, almost like a deja vu on Sutter era while drafting. I was hoping we would have a GM who can come in and have a draft strategy but it seems more like we will be following Burke's model of size and that seems to be the only concern of his.

Burke should look at his own 2011 draft for Toronto.

Tyler Biggs - 5 points AHL
Stuart Percy - The only decent pick
Josh Leivo
David Broll
Bunch of no names.

Atleast our 6th round pick got us a legitimate NHL defenseman.

[sureLoss]

Drafting for size and character... sounds like Sutter drafting plan v2.0.

[nik-]

Some of these comments make me feel that Burke is just playing his curmudgeonly role. Because I can't think that he really thinks all those things.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

Good point, can't argue with amazing facts like "I don't think I need to say anything" and "having a fantasitc rookie season".

Completely retract my statement

Please put me on ignore. You are looking for an argument. I don't want it.