Burke Speaks - January 30, 2014

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why are people making a big deal about the Gaudreau comment. My GF said it was a pretty clear joke to make the crowd laugh.

Was there this much of a backlash when Conroy stated he always joked that the junior Flame skating out in front of the Flames in home games meant that Gaudreau had signed a contract. Same type of joke about Johnny being small.

No. Everything must be taken at facevalue then overreacted to.

Sayung Gaudreau is small = Burke hates him
Wanting to draft bigger players = Only wants 4th line enforcers with no skill
Isn't happy with Backlunds skating = Thinks he's a horrible skater

[StAlbertFlame]

nm

[MisterJoji]

Best case scenario is Burke handling the deadline day trades and deferring to Button at the draft. Slim to none chance of that. But in the same vain, IF Burke is not sold on Granlund, Sven, Gaudreau (personally, I think there was a major overreaction to his comments), he should be able to get decent value back in a trade for them.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by strombad

Short people should chill.

they do - hot air rises

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by puckluck2

I like Burke but he should keep his yap shut about his height. Everyone knows he is short no need to mention it every time you have a chance. What does mentioning his height constantly accomplish? Are people asking Burke specifically about his height? I doubt it.

I think the point Burke was making, which is a valid one, is that Johnny faces the double challenge of being short and small.
Most successful short NHLers are stocky and have tremendous lower body and core strength. Johnny doesn't have that.

If he makes it in can be an impact player it will be one of the most unlikely and remarkable prospect stories in the history of the NHL.

Burke's point is a valid one and he's OK to make it if asked a question.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by nik-

Especially if the comment about the booster seat is true. Like, what's the point? What do you gain by making a comment like that?

You might get is a 4th year of college and a big FU, Burke is an blowhard idiot.

[Azure]

To me the booster seat Burke is talking about is a player like Arnold being on Johnny's line that can help him find space to do his thing.

It certainly isn't a knock. Burke is just a blunt kind of guy. You'd think people would get that already.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Azure

To me the booster seat Burke is talking about is a player like Arnold being on Johnny's line that can help him find space to do his thing.

It certainly isn't a knock. Burke is just a blunt kind of guy. You'd think people would get that already.

Please!

"Johnny isn't small. He's tiny. He needs a booster seat to drive around,"

This quote is Burke trying to be funny but I'm certain JG doesn't like it.

[MissTeeks]

God, if I was this sensitive about being called short, I'd have disowned all my friends for calling me little Sarah for the last 15 years.

[PeteMoss]

He said it at an event with no media. It is only being discussed amongst the diehard fans... doubtful he'll ever hear about it.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why are people making a big deal about the Gaudreau comment. My GF said it was a pretty clear joke to make the crowd laugh.

Because Burke making a joke like that comes off as malice. It's mocking and if you're going to mock someone associated with your organization it should be you.

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Was there this much of a backlash when Conroy stated he always joked that the junior Flame skating out in front of the Flames in home games meant that Gaudreau had signed a contract. Same type of joke about Johnny being small.

Except Burke has a well known bias and Conroy does not. If Conroy says something like that everyone knows that it's said entirely in jest... Burke saying something like that comes off as a dickish expression of what he actually believes.

Burke has a certain lack of class that wears badly on the Flames. I wonder what the fail threshold is for a President of Hockey Ops to get fired.

[T@T]

Johnny should send him one of these.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Parallex

Because Burke making a joke like that comes off as malice. It's mocking and if you're going to mock someone associated with your organization it should be you.



Except Burke has a well known bias and Conroy does not. If Conroy says something like that everyone knows that it's said entirely in jest... Burke saying something like that comes off as a dickish expression of what he actually believes.

Burke has a certain lack of class that wears badly on the Flames. I wonder what the fail threshold is for a President of Hockey Ops to get fired.

Or are your preconceived bias of Conroy and Burke causing your reaction to Burke.

Burke is a great public speaker who makes quite a few jokes. Just because he isn't all sunshine and rainbows doesn't mean he can't make a joke.

As mentioned those in attendance knew it was clearly a joke and not at all malicious. People's bias of Burke is what is leading them to think the comment was some horrendous shot at Gaudreau.

[Matty81]

I don't mind burke's management approach in every way except his tendency to tear people down in public.

He is a fossil, most kids today don't respond to that kind of crap, they aren't raised that way (queue some redneck rant about kids today and how soft they are). And honestly, what do you gain by criticizing backlund's skating ability in public? Pointless negativity, just keep the yap shut.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think the point Burke was making, which is a valid one, is that Johnny faces the double challenge of being short and small.
Most successful short NHLers are stocky and have tremendous lower body and core strength. Johnny doesn't have that.

If he makes it in can be an impact player it will be one of the most unlikely and remarkable prospect stories in the history of the NHL.

Burke's point is a valid one and he's OK to make it if asked a question.

One thing going for Johnny is that he's elusive. Granted he's going to need to be Gretzkyan elusive to last in the NHL.

[nik-]

Especially since Backlund has easily been one of our best players for a good stretch here. I just don't see the point of going after something negative when it's obviously not affecting performance.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by T@T

Please!

"Johnny isn't small. He's tiny. He needs a booster seat to drive around,"

This quote is Burke trying to be funny but I'm certain JG doesn't like it.

I'm certain I've never seen as many people scared of their own imaginations as see on this board. I'm sure Gaudreau will make a huge decision about HIS life and career based on his GM making a stature joke to some fans........... Worrying about this is the definition of ridiculous. If Gaudreau is stupid enough to have something like that impact his mindset, then I assure you we need not worry about him deciding to stay another year at college, he doesn't have the mental capacity to make it in the NHL if that's the case (and I'm also certain it won't impact his decision).

People need to stop acting like our players and prospects don't talk to Burke directly and don't have personal relationships with him. They do, and there only source of contact with him isn't second hand storytelling on a message board about what he said. They actually get to speak with Burke, have a dialogue, ask questions. They aren't looking for news clips to get an idea of where they stand with him like we are, they get to hear it directly from him or someone else in the org on a regular basis. They panic comments our team brass makes and how will "hurt" player X's feelings creates on here is hysterical.

[macrov]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Couple of other things.

• Wants players to have numbers under 35

• Wants to follow the Detroit method to develop players. Patience, time in the AHL, etc.

Love the Detroit comment. Think in a rebuild teams can make the mistake of rushing players into the NHL to show they have youth and are developing. Probably why the guys being called up have been the vets recently (Street, Byron, Jones)

Why numbers under 35?

[Miniac]

So basically do the opposite of the Oilers? Sounds good.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by sun

Flames 2011 draft for those that need a refreshing:

13 - Sven
45 - Granlund
57 - Wotherspoon
104 - Gaudreau
164 - Brossoit

Looks pretty damn good to me.

Maybe because the majority of those draft picks are small. Wotherspoon and Brossoit are tall but the other 3 are small. I agree with some posters here, i do not like that Burke is only planning on drafting big guys. So if there's a choice between a (Player A) good 1st line player with small stature and a (Player B) 3rd or 4th line big guy player are available, i would hate for Burke to draft Player B because he is bigger.