Hockey talks with Brian Burke and Craig Conroy

[Imported_Aussie]

Burke was there doing media work because the media wants to talk to him. He is a good interview, candid and quotable - journalists like that, as it makes their job easier.
If this becomes the norm long term, then yes, cry out like there is a problem. But the combination of Burke being the new guy in town, plus his reputation, is driving media interest.

[craigwd]

Feaster wasn't even really paying attention while Burke was talking. He was spending time with his family in the box behind me.

The bro and I thought it was hilarious how little Burke knows about other sports. He talked about being in London watching Usain Bolt break the world record (didn't happen).

How Sochi is building a 65k seat stadium for no reason beyond the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games (it's going to be part of the 2018 World Cup, and it's more like 45k).

And that Sochi doesn't even have a soccer team (they are to be the home of the Russian national team).

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by craigwd

Me and the bro thought it was hilarious how little Burke knows about other sports.

that's a lot of facts to get wrong in about a 10 minute span, but Burke's the kind of guy that will say it with such conviction that you'll believe it anyways. when he was with other teams I'd hate that about him, but as long as he's fighting for our hometown organization, he's got my full license to say whatever he wants.

[Vinny01]

I like when Burke speaks we have heard a lot from Jay but Burke being new to the organization it is interesting to hear what he has to say about the roster now and moving forward. Burke has only had 3 interviews now including this one which was completely controlled by the Flames. Personally I like when we get the opportunity to hear from him.

If anything I feel like we have not heard from Weisbroad in a while

[Buck Murdock]

Those types of situations are perfect for Burke. IMO hes a great head of the hockey department, and if he can be a spokespersons for the big picture stuff like this, it takes allot of pressure off of Jay so he can focus on the details of the job.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Does anyone else find it odd that Feaster wasn't the one speaking to Kerr? I thought Brian was supposed to hang out in the background. I expect to see more of this Feaster subversion as we move forward and this becomes Burke's team.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Cliff notes for Burke:

• bought a house in Bridgeland
• successful teams work hard; this group have bought in and the coaches have done a wonderful job
• has officially moved into his job this week
• Anaheim scouts thought Calgary was 1st star of the draft (Ducks loved Monahan, Poirier and Klimchuk)
• Ken King made it clear to do what's best for the hockey team and not about the economics of having Monahan's ELC contract slide another year
• Burke's guideline for staying up was Monahan had to play at least 16 mins a night
• trying to avoid Monahan as the face of the franchise as it can be detrimental to his development
• Monahan made it impossible for the Flames to do anything but keep him
• believes in community service, says the first time a player will say no to community service the Flames ask him to do, the player will be on a plane to join another team

I am happy to read this. A friend of mine work PR with the Flames years ago and she said some of the players were a nightmare when it came to keeping these obligations.

[dirk diggler]

Havent always been a big Burke supporter in the past but he is a hockey man, knows what he wants. at least we arent the Oilers and keep recycling old Flames (Conroy notwithstanding) for every job.. if you would have told me last year that the Flames would be closer to a cup than Edmonton, i wouldnt have agreed but i do think they are... in saying that, i acknowledge it wont be for a while as there are some big holes to fill but they are headed in the right direction.

[Two Fivenagame]

I think this community obligation is an interesting mandate to be made public. I wouldn't have thought it needed to be said. I must admit that i soured a little during the flames charity golf tournament no-show.

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

I think this community obligation is an interesting mandate to be made public. I wouldn't have thought it needed to be said. I must admit that i soured a little during the flames charity golf tournament no-show.

Tough situation with the lockout and people out of town. I don't think that's necessarily fair to the players (who have supported it year in and year out aside from that).

[Two Fivenagame]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Tough situation with the lockout and people out of town. I don't think that's necessarily fair to the players (who have supported it year in and year out aside from that).

Ya you're right. I think they had a players union meeting at the same time but it just didn't look good.

I would hope player involvement in the community would have the added benefit of making Calgary a very desirable place to play and retire.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Tough situation with the lockout and people out of town. I don't think that's necessarily fair to the players (who have supported it year in and year out aside from that).

Originally Posted by Two Fivenagame

Ya you're right. I think they had a players union meeting at the same time but it just didn't look good.

I would hope player involvement in the community would have the added benefit of making Calgary a very desirable place to play and retire.

Wasn't the cancellation at short notice? I would suspect most players knew of their availibility, just seemed like they were embarrassed to cancel and put it off to the last minute.

[Gord Wappel]

I am happy to read this. A friend of mine work PR with the Flames years ago and she said some of the players were a nightmare when it came to keeping these obligations.

So they hadn't actually said "no" either.

Personally I hate this kind of subtle and insidious egoism:

So now any community work that players do ... is not really on them .. its on Burke for making them do it.

Bah .. people like this take the fun out of life for others.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Gord Wappel

So they hadn't actually said "no" either.

Personally I hate this kind of subtle and insidious egoism:

So now any community work that players do ... is not really on them .. its on Burke for making them do it.

Bah .. people like this take the fun out of life for others.

Each player in Calgary has a set requirement for the minimum number of charitable appearances they need to make each year. Some are specific (poker tournament), while others are general. I'm guessing every team has something similar.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Cliff notes for Burke:

• bought a house in Bridgeland

A possible clue as to the location of the new arena? Bridgeland is real handy to the west end option.

[Tyler]

In honor of my recent 'tin-foiling' in this thread, I am going to go harass my new Bridgeland neighbor Brian and see if my suspicions of his impending gm takeover are true. Thank you CP.

[swo2k1]

Originally Posted by craigwd

Feaster wasn't even really paying attention while Burke was talking. He was spending time with his family in the box behind me.

The bro and I thought it was hilarious how little Burke knows about other sports. He talked about being in London watching Usain Bolt break the world record (didn't happen).

How Sochi is building a 65k seat stadium for no reason beyond the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games (it's going to be part of the 2018 World Cup, and it's more like 45k).

And that Sochi doesn't even have a soccer team (they are to be the home of the Russian national team).

He confused World Record with Olympic Record, big deal. And didn't know the exact specifics of an Olympic bid that he had no part of. Hardly an indication of not knowing about other sports.

Absolutely hilarious!

[CliffFletcher]

Frankly, I don't care if Flames the braintrust has any knowledge or interest in sports outside hockey. They can spend their non-hockey time playing World of Warcraft for all I care.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

A possible clue as to the location of the new arena? Bridgeland is real handy to the west end option.

It's even handier to an East Village/Beltline option, and the Saddledome. Firepark is also closer to Bridgeland than the west end of downtown.

Considering he typically stays in one place for about 5 or 6 years, and the new building is at least 4 or 5 years away, I doubt it entered into his decision.

[Bill Bumface]

You thought it was bad he got those other sports facts wrong, Burke's new house is actually in Renfrew.