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

[TheDebaser]

I love this move.

Feasters strengths reside in his ability to surround himself with good people, listen to their advice, analyze it and then make a decision. He is also a good contract negotiator. However, he can be bad at negotiating trades and at times he can be a little too patient with the team.

Burke, on the other hand, is a guy who is very good at taking a team into his own hands, creating a vision, and personally executing that. He isn't great at negotiating contracts and at times he can make rash, impatient moves. He can also make brilliant moves too.

With the addition of Burke, Feaster gives himself access to the thoughts and opinions of a proven hockey man. He can use Burkes advice to negotiate better trades and Burke could help point out possible trade options that maybe Feaster may have missed. Burke will also continue to surround Feaster with better and better scouts and hockey guys.

The genius of this system is that Burkes famous big ideas get filtered by a calm, rational Feaster while any idea Feaster has gets filtered by a big thinking, shrewd Burke. This starts a conversation between two capable guys about what's best for the team. Burke most likely pushing for short term options and Feaster most likely pushing for long term options. This brilliantly plays to Feasters strengths, he can listen to the two arguments and pick the option that will actually benefit the team the most.

I think this could be a very good move for the flames.

[GirlySports]

I think we will like Burke a lot more now that he's on our side

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by strombad

Or Tuco, at best.

Tuco murders people. Mctavish=McTuco

[Manhattanboy]

This from a Vancouver fan on the Canuck's Board:

" wager Burke has quite a bit of success in Calgary. It's essentially a clean slate. He can rebuild the team in however manner he chooses, as they really have little in the way of established talent. A couple low finishes, Burke's usual solid drafting and Calgary just may begin to become respectable again. Hilariously, their rebuild could speed by Edmonton's."

[moon]

Originally Posted by PloKoon

I could go on. And Bryan murrary largely built the 07' ducks team. Burke added Pronger who wanted to leave Edmonton, and Neidermeyer.

And Beauchemin, Selanne and Kunitz but that doesn't fit in with the BS narrative that Murray built the team so I understand why you would ignore those additions to the team.

[Kaine]

Fantastic news. I'm very excited about this team moving forward much more so with Burke in the mix than without.

[Meers]

Well, that's it. The Flames have now achieved their longtime organizational goal . . . and have officially become the Toronto Maple Leafs (2005-2012 playoffless edition) West.

Actually, I expect that things will (slowly) begin to improve with Burke at the helm.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

This i can understand if you don't want Burke in. His drafting has been bad if not drafting in the top 10. I really think they need to keep Weisbrod on.

As for the other posters that keep saying he trades prospects and picks for win now, its not true.

It's not that Burke has a history of trading prospects, its that some of our top prospects (Gaudreau, Klimchuk to some extent) don't fit the "Brian Burke mold". As for Burke's draft record, I think picking the right guy in the top five (where Burke has a history of absolutely nailing it) is a gonna be really valuable for the Flames.

Overall, I'm quite pleased that it's time to bring back... the Swedish chef!

[trackercowe]

Don't forget he also replaced Babcock with Carlyle. Who knows if the Ducks win the Cup with a different coach behind the bench.

[Mean Mr. Mustard]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Tuco murders people. Mctavish=McTuco

Comments like this make you look like a pretty massive jerk as well in that you are using a girls death to score points for an insult against someone based on which hockey team you support. I t

[Vinny01]

Burke went all in on Kessel who is not a big physical player. Guys like Gaudreau, Sven and Klimchuck don't need to be worried as long as they develop into smart skilled nhlers

[megatron]

I am pretty happy with this move. I just watched the presser and he seemed to say all the right things.

I think Burke brings respect to the Flames front office with all his experience, which in my opinion hasn't had much respect the last couple of years (with rumors of owner meddling). His attitude with the media is off-putting sometimes, but if it distracts from the losing this year and next, it's fine.

[Gord Wappel]

Being a displaced fan in GTA..
all I can think is how hard I laughed as Burke arrived in Toronto as the messiah and the terrible leaves desperately needing a rebuild. And his egomaniacal need to do something anything trade future 1st round picks for Kessel. one was number#2 overall Seguin.
So this is the man entering into flames long overdue rebuild.
Seinfeld is right when he said we fans just cheer for the laundry.
Go Flames jerseys go

[trackercowe]

^ I think you're wrong for the most part. Most of this board has been pro-Burke over the years, way before he was even rumored to be involved in any capacity with the Flames.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Gord Wappel

Being a displaced fan in GTA..
all I can think is how hard I laughed as Burke arrived in Toronto as the messiah and the terrible leaves desperately needing a rebuild. And his egomaniacal need to do something anything trade future 1st round picks for Kessel. one was number#2 overall Seguin.
So this is the man entering into flames long overdue rebuild.
Seinfeld is right when he said we fans just cheer for the laundry.
Go Flames jerseys go

Like many, I think the Kessel trade was stupid, but our current GM offer sheeted ROR so between the 2 alternatives, I don't think BB comes off looking as bad.

Overall, I think BB is a bit of a loose canon but his overall body of work is far better then Feasters.... so based off that, I'd say its an improvement.

[Miniac]

Thanks for adding the poll!

[Delthefunky]

Nm

[Charcot]

It's interesting to see how the Brian Burke discussion is framed. Most are looking at this from the point of view of taking a part of Jay Feaster's role. How they feel about Feaster or Burke determines how they view this move.

However very few are talking about the distancing of Ken King from day to day hockey operations. As Burke is between Feaster and King I think this may be at least as important. Many have voiced concerns about King being to involved in Hockey operations and that the person in that role should have a hockey background - particularly when Feaster does not describe himself as a hockey man.

If you felt King should move a way from hockey operations and that a hockey guy should be in that position this would be a day to celebrate. I think this strengthens the hockey club even if Burke takes on none of Feaster's prior role, and allows Ken King to focus on what he appears to do best which is to manage the business.

[mikeecho]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

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

Honest question.

Doesn't video explanations of suspensions trump everything else?

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by trackercowe

Most of this board has been pro-Burke over the years, way before he was even rumored to be involved in any capacity with the Flames.

Right. When CP spent years calling him Tubby McBlowhard, that obviously was meant as nothing but a compliment.