[GDT] Brian Burke Press Conference

[GreenLantern]

Burke asked about the rebuild:

First off, the rebuild in Toronto was -- there was a lot uh.. trying to think of a diplomatic way to say this as I am not a very diplomatic guy. There was a lot of work that needed to be done in Toronto that took longer than I thought in terms of getting assets out of there.

From my perspective I thought I would be abel to move pieces out, took longer than I thought. Made a major aquisition in Kessel, compensation turned out to be harder but I would do the trade again tomorrow.

I think Jay has already taken major steps to rebuild, Calgary had the best draft of everybody (working for ANaheim at the time thought Calgary was awesome). The rebuild has already started, its hard in a cap system to turn your team around. In a cap system its a slower process than a non cap system.

I don't like time frames, giving a time frame just buys you years. A lot of it involves luck, getting players you didn't think you could get. I do think there is help on the way in Abbotsford and I think Calgary had the best draft.

Loosely quoted... not word for word but close.

[Jay Random]

Burke: 'If I was worried about my image, I would have done a better job about it before I got here.'

[stemit14]

Sounds like the best of both worlds... Get to have Brian Burke's hockey knowledge but he stays away from the media. Better chance of avoiding a bad trade when both Feaster and Burke can go over it.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Ken King also has the new arena on his plate too.

This will be his primary focus moving forward, trust me.

[HOWITZER]

I personally liked where Feaster was headed with this team overall. I fear that Burke coming in might jeopardize the whole rebuild.

Are we going to see the next Kessel trade come through Calgary? Because everything about this announcement gives me the feeling of moves by ownership to get back to the playoffs asap. Even if it means that they'll jeopardize a successful, promising future.

As nice as it is to say "OOH, something new and shiny!", I look at this with a very nervous eye on the future. And I don't like what I see.

[Clever_Iggy]

"Jay has as many rings as I do." Thanks KLowe.

[Homeslice]

Great move and only makes us stronger - like any good company/org, hiring a person for a dedicated role but who has past experience/depth of knowledge in other roles in a org/company only makes sense. If people screw up, we have good pieces in place that can carry the organization forward.

[GreenLantern]

Burke asked about his plan:

Could your plan change in two months?

Yes. We think we know players. Then you watch pratice and you realize you don't.

Holy cow I was off on this guy, this guys way more important, this guys slower. So unless you are part of the staff you don't really know a team. So I have to assess and listen to Jay and learn the team better. Thats true of anyone who takes over any position.

You can watch tape all you want but until you learn the personalities you don't know the team.

Two, I think there is a discipline and a science to scouting that Jay shares, so there won't be a major over haul. There is a way to gaurentee success in the draft and Calgary has done it. We will go through and interview everyone in the process to make sure we have the best people at these positions.

[bubbsy]

my only fear about this:

Brian Burke: "I'd do the [Phil] Kessel deal [with Boston] again tomorrow."

[EM11]

There still seems to a be a huge intangible around what Burke's job actually is. Maybe he and Jay don't know yet either. But even though he has tried to explain the new organizational structure it doesn't seem very clear.

[GreenLantern]

Has your attitude towards the media changed?

I haven't changed. It requires stepping back. You have to understand guys in the media and guys in pro sports get up and say Gee I want to fight with the media today.

I've felt my whoel career I had to protect my players, 99% of the time when I get in a scrap it is when I am defending a coach or a player. I won't be a tamer guy with the media, but it will be less of a role for me, but I haven't changed.

I've never called the media and said hey interview me, they always call me. I don't crave the attention but htey call me asking for stuff on tape and I co operate. I am very happy to take a back seat here.

What makes this structure better than the singular structure old school we have seen in the past?

When King first described this to me it reminded me of the committee for the US Olympic team, its a team not one guy. Pooling expertise and experience. If both guys are willing to make this work and determined to make it work it works beautifully.

It is a mentor, guidance or direction, it is a work in progress, new to both of us. I am determined to work and I think it will work. I add value, nto a green guy, I go back a ways and I have been able to fix about every team I worked for, some quicker than others.

Process, science to it. You sit down and identify what you need and do it by sequence.

[_Q_]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

my only fear about this:

Brian Burke: "I'd do the [Phil] Kessel deal [with Boston] again tomorrow."

You mean, trade two first round picks for a young 40 goal scorer and future leader? Yeah I'd do it again too if I was Brian.

[Clever_Iggy]

"Ownership always has a veto. I've had owners veto trades for budget reasons. [...] As a GM you always have a veto. [...] Ownership always have a veto."

Oh nos! Ownership meddling!

[GreenLantern]

How do you feel about ownership vetos/interaction?

I've had owners veto trades for budget reasons or other reasons. Ownership always has that veto. I don't want to frame it in those terms though, we shoudl be able to work out to Jay that it is a bad idea or that it is a good idea then take it up to ownership.

If you guys do this right nobody should need a veto.

If this work in progress comes to us butting heads then somebody above us can work it out, but I think we can avoid that.

King adds there have been no vetos in lots of the discussions. King says that Jay has had the freedom to do what he wants.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Burke being very honest that it's a work in progress for him and Jay. Love the honesty that their is potential for head butting but says that if they do this right there won't be

[Rhettzky]

Burke just said that management always has the final veto anywhere he has worked. Any way we can kick that 'meddling management' crap for a bit now?

[puffnstuff]

So has Burke heard from E Francis yet?

[Cole436]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

my only fear about this:

Brian Burke: "I'd do the [Phil] Kessel deal [with Boston] again tomorrow."

Well, in fairness I don't blame him. We don't know if Seguin will take that next step, or he'll stay as a 60 point #1/2 centre, and Dougie Hamilton is still unproven. Kessel however looks like he's becoming a dominant player at his position.

[simmonjam1]

So when is Ron Wilson the next head coach?

[Ark2]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

my only fear about this:

Brian Burke: "I'd do the [Phil] Kessel deal [with Boston] again tomorrow."

That trade is looking pretty good for the Leafs right now. I don't think he means that he would trade 2 first rounders and second, just that he likes the trade. So do I, frankly.