[News] Calgary Flames' struggles wearing on honcho Brian Burke

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Psytic

I just have faith that Burke will pull off at least one heist for us. He seems to be good for one or two fleecings every team he's been with.

And trading two high picks for kessel...

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I think the team just sucks. No conspiracy theories just a very bad team

Look at our roster, pretend you are a fan of any other team, and try not to gasp.

No top line players, a couple second line players, a few players that likely wouldn't fit well on most teams (eg Byron is too small for a 3/4 line on many teams, not good enough for top two). Add in to lumbering goons, and not even a legit backup in net. One top pairing D maybe, two second pairing D and that's it for the whole team.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And trading two high picks for kessel...

Paying market value for an elite goal scorer isn't necessarily a bad trade. If you take Kessel off that Leafs team they are probably in the mix for a top 5 draft pick.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by T@T

Writing on the wall here, I know for a fact at least 3 players don't like nor trust Burke, his big mouth and the way he treats players doesn't rest well with some of them, before Burke there was no quit in this team, now when they get down in a game it's all quit.

Oh?

Do tell...since it's a "fact" and all.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

And trading two high picks for kessel...

He definitely mid-judged how bad his team actually was that is for sure. Having said that he was right that Kessel was an elite goal scorer and top player.

It is safe to say he knows there is no quick fix with the Flames and signing a handful of players this summer and bringing in a star by trading 2 future 1sts would not get this team to the playoffs.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah it isn't like Burke traded those high end picks for an aging vet - he acquired a young top line forward. Those cost a pretty penny. Looking at the players Boston drafted with the picks is it a good deal for the Leafs? No. But they still have a young core player who scores 30+ goals each and every season.

Not the horrible deal it is made out to be.

[cam_wmh]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

He has to come back with a strong end to the season. His good first half has in no way earned him a 3 year 3 per deal. This guy went unclaimed on waivers this summer before Feaster traded for him. He has played great but would need more than a strong 35 or so games to earn a long term deal from another team

No. Not at all. Blues had to put him on waivers, as they had a logjam.

He doesn't need to continue that scoring output to maintain that market rate of 3x3. That's where he's at now and will get it, unless he catastrophically re-injures himself. 30 point defensemen on the open market, that are closer to 25 than 30 will get it.

He's only doing himself favours from here on out.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by T@T

Writing on the wall here, I know for a fact at least 3 players don't like nor trust Burke, his big mouth and the way he treats players doesn't rest well with some of them, before Burke there was no quit in this team, now when they get down in a game it's all quit.

Now, I know your agenda is pretty concretely anti-Burke, and that's fine, but who cares if a few players don't like him? If you actually KNOW you should probably say how (or else it's a little hard to believe based on your bias), but regardless of that, I'd be impressed if there was a GM out there who was universally liked by every player. I'm sure there is one or two, but they'd be the exception.

Anyhow. I still don't see a whole lot of quit in the Flames, they've simply be grossly overmatched. They have played some damn fine 3rd periods over the past 20 games, but it really doesn't have much impact when you're facing teams that easily out match you with even the slightest bit of effort.

Calgary has enough jam to pounce on teams that get lazy or complacent, but any team that comes in to a game against them ready to play is going to mop the floor with them. That has nothing to do with Burke, sorry that it doesn't fit your bias.

[AcGold]

I don't get why people say Kessel was a bad deal and is not worth it. He's nearly a point a game and the leading scorer for a while now, those don't exactly fall out of the sky. Kessel's 60 point season was correctly projected, his talent was recognized and he hasn't fallen off since his trade. I mean, he does have a goofy ass face and gives me that special ed feeling but he produces points.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by AcGold

I don't get why people say Kessel was a bad deal and is not worth it. He's nearly a point a game and the leading scorer for a while now, those don't exactly fall out of the sky. Kessel's 60 point season was correctly projected, his talent was recognized and he hasn't fallen off since his trade.

But... he's so ugly

[$ven27]

Originally Posted by strombad

But... he's so ugly

Really? C'mon...

[Vulcan]

I didn't like the Kessel deal because the rule of thumb is you don't trade away 1st round choices unless you're ready to make a cup run. As said though, it wasn't like he was going to lose the trade badly, as he got the best player at the time while Boston got futures which could have turned out badly.

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by strombad

But... he's so ugly

Don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

[Jason14h]

Phil Kessel has the 4th most points and goals over the last 3 seasons.

I actually still think Burke at worst made an equal trade, and that only occured because Toronto was terrible and the pick was high.

Take a peek, and you may be surprised!
http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seaso...ers-stats.html

[DOOM]

Originally Posted by cam_wmh

No. Not at all. Blues had to put him on waivers, as they had a logjam.

He doesn't need to continue that scoring output to maintain that market rate of 3x3. That's where he's at now and will get it, unless he catastrophically re-injures himself. 30 point defensemen on the open market, that are closer to 25 than 30 will get it.

He's only doing himself favours from here on out.

And no other team wanted him for free?

I like Russell and he has been solid, but I don't want to give him any longer then a 1 year deal, if he plays good again, then we can take about a longer term deal.

[moon]

Originally Posted by T@T

Writing on the wall here, I know for a fact at least 3 players don't like nor trust Burke, his big mouth and the way he treats players doesn't rest well with some of them, before Burke there was no quit in this team, now when they get down in a game it's all quit.

Hopefully those 3 losers are traded or waived very quickly.

And the record is bad because the team is awful.

[nik-]

At least the Leafs got Kessel from trading their first when their GM thought they were a bubble team. And yes it was more than a first from the Leafs, and I'm not even a fan of the deal, but at least they got a legit star.

We traded ours for Jokinen

[Jason14h]

Hopefully those 3 losers are traded or waived very quickly.

And the record is bad because the team is awful.

Moon I don't akways agree with you, but this is spot on!

[TurnedTheCorner]

Originally Posted by Jason14h

Phil Kessel has the 4th most points and goals over the last 3 seasons.

I actually still think Burke at worst made an equal trade, and that only occured because Toronto was terrible and the pick was high.

Take a peek, and you may be surprised!
http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/seaso...ers-stats.html

Imagine how much higher he'd be if even more of the players clearly better than him had been hurt more over the last 3 seasons!

[Jason14h]

Imagine how much higher he'd be if even more of the players clearly better than him had been hurt more over the last 3 seasons!

Umm what's you point?

You don't contribute to your team when you are hurt. Staying healthy is important.

I didn't say he was the 4th best player in the NHL. I am providing a stat showing he is 4th in points.