Burke Speaks - January 30, 2014

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by MattyC

The only thing that bothers me is his comments on Gaudreau. Yeah he is tiny, but there have been exeptionally talented, small players that have dominated this league in pretty much every generation. He does acknowledge the skill but it always sounds more like "Yeah, he's pretty good, BUT LOOK HOW SMALL!" Would it kill him to acknowledge that he has shown to be one of the best college players EVER and that he might be a least a little OK with having him on the team? I know he mentioned in the first presser that he just needs to surround him with some beef, which is fine, but he seems more and more "meh" on him as time goes on. Maybe it's just because of contract negotiations or something. But he's probably earned a first rounder-type deal at this point.

Burke most certainly might not be giving Gadreau his due, and clearly he likes bigger players, but I highly doubt Burke is un-aware that some really amazing smaller players have made incredible contributions at the NHL level.

I would suspect if Burke is actually this focused on Gadreau's size, it's because based on his size, and the way Gadreau plays and is effective, Burke suspects that his size will actually be an issue. It's very possible that at the NCAA and Junior level, Gadreau's "style" or "skill set" allows him to succeed despite his size, but when you get to the NHL and pro level, Burke may not see how Gadreau's game style will allow him to overcome his size despite being able to do it at the amature level very succesully to date.

I'm by no means saying Burke's right, or wrong, I'm in no position to evaluate the merits of players at that level. But I highly doubt Burke simply isn't aware that smaller players have and can be successful.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

How can you put the 2013 draft ahead of the 2011 draft, ignore what Burke said?

We selected Monahan with a high draft pick. It was an obvious pick and you can give credit to no one for it.

Poirier I like, but he won't be playing in the NHL for at least 2 and probably more seasons.

Klimchuk will return to junior next year, but will probably take even longer than Poirier to break into he NHL. He's also small, so you just can't like that.

Kanzig is the pick I hate the most. Just awful. If he ever makes it to the NHL, he would be among the lowest scoring junior players in NHL history. I don't think he's the player that'll set that record.

Roy is fine for a 5th round pick but he's just so awful in his own zone that his ceiling is probably being very generous.

Harrison has 4 assists in 22 college games, has often been a healthy scratch. But he's big. Gotta like that.

Rafikov again is fine for his draft position, but he's never going to come over to North America. I will never be a fan of Russian draft picks.

So yeah, instead of me defending my claim all the time, how about you guys tell me why the 2013 draft is better than the 2011 draft?

2013: One current NHL
2011: No current NHLer

Boom 2013 is a better draft already with 2 fewer years of development time.

I am being factitious here but that is one way to prove it.

Also think you need to give Kanzig more credit, guys like him tend to develop their offensive game later if ever.

The coaching staff was raving about him during training camp and were big fans of his game. I would take what they say over just looking at his stat line and saying since he doesn't put up points he is no good.

Zdeno Chara had 3 goals in the year after his draft, 1 more then Kanzig has this year. And Kanzig may only have 4 points but he is a +20 so he is still on the ice when his team scores and must be playing strong defensively. Not getting any PP time can really skew a defenseman's point totals.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

The point is the draft was only 7 months ago so no one knows yet....except you apparently.

And apparently Burke.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

But that's what Burke just did. He just compared the 2011 and 2013 drafts. Why am I not allowed to disagree? Is this not a discussion board?

Again I'm right in my analysis.

It's amazing you can pull that last line while calling Burke arrogant. Unbelievable.

Burke never compared the two. You did. Burke said he only liked the 2013 draft. Does that mean it's set to produce more NHL talent than 2011? No.

Perhaps he likes it best because it was the most balanced. Perhaps he likes it best because he thinks the top end is higher in a few guys. Perhaps he thinks it's best because he just plain old like Sean Monahan.

It's really incredible that you actually need to put words in Burke's mouth just so you can then argue about them. Seriously man, chill out, you aren't even arguing against anything Burke SAID at this point.

You're right, this is a discussion board, so how about you try to discuss things instead of "BURKE IS WRONG THERE IS NO DEBATE"... doesn't sound like you're up for discussion to me.

[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)

[CaramonLS]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

Seriously. I could say that the earth is round and you guys would argue with me

Drop the persecution complex.

People argue with you because you tend to say outlandish, hyperbolic and dumb things. Not because of who you are or how special you think you are.

[Major Major]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

His straight away speed is good. If his lateral skating was a bit better, you'd see tremendous gains. Or at least thats what I'm guessing BB is getting at.

I'm not saying I don't agree, there is room for improvement, but leave that for the coaches rather than putting a negative spin on our best player for the last 6 weeks or so. A player who has, in my opinion, been held back by confidence issues.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

2013: One current NHL
2011: No current NHLer

Boom 2013 is a better draft already with 2 fewer years of development time.

I am being factitious here but that is one way to prove it.

If he wants to say he liked the 2013 draft because it had more picks and more high picks, fine. But say it. Comparing value per pick though? # of players actually turning pro? It won't be close.

The 2011 draft is looking to be one of the best drafts this team has had in decades. That isn't saying much, but I'm sure Baertschi, Granlund, Wotherspoon, and Gaudreau will feel great after reading Burke's comments.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Couple of other things.

• Wants players to have numbers under 35

lol poor Sven.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If he wants to say he liked the 2013 draft because it had more picks and more high picks, fine. But say it.

The 2011 draft is looking to be one of the best drafts this team has had in decades. That isn't saying much, but I'm sure Baertschi, Granlund, Wotherspoon, and Gaudreau will feel great after reading Burke's comments.

Pretty sure they don't care, Three of them are under contract and one will be very soon. They also shouldn't care either and just focus on playing the game and improving and proving him wrong if they did in fact care what he thinks.

[Hockeyguy15]

I'm not sure why players numbers are an issue for him, seems like a waste of time.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by nik-

lol poor Sven.

Now we know why Kadri never got a chance before Burke was fired.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Yeah, because a fourth round prospect is the missing link to our goalie situation

You may not like Berra, and you may not even like Ramo. But unless you're willing to give up assets in trade, or throw money at a UFA, that's who you've got.

I have no issue with using a later pick on a goalie every 2 years or so. Lots of good goalies are drafted in the later rounds.

Niemi - undrafted
Lundqvist - 205th overall
Miller - 138th overall
Rinne - 258th overall
Bobrovsky - undrafted
Hiller - undrafted
Halak - 271st overall
Kiprusoff - 116th overall
Smith - 161st overall

I'm sure there's more I just stopped looking. They should definitely look into drafting more goalies in the late rounds, you never know what can happen with goalies.

[SuperMatt18]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

If he wants to say he liked the 2013 draft because it had more picks and more high picks, fine. But say it. Comparing value per pick though? # of players actually turning pro? It won't be close.

The 2011 draft is looking to be one of the best drafts this team has had in decades. That isn't saying much, but I'm sure Baertschi, Granlund, Wotherspoon, and Gaudreau will feel great after reading Burke's comments.

If the players care about the comments Burke makes even half as much as you do they are in trouble.

They need to develop thicker skin then that because I am sure much worse things will be said to these guys over the course of their careers then "I liked the 2013 draft but was not a fan of the 2011 or 2012 drafts".

[nik-]

The number thing is just so silly. It was silly when Darryl was in charge and it's still silly. What does it matter?

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Wants players to have numbers under 35

I always find things like that silly. Why should Brian Burke care what jersey number someone wears? If a guy wants to wear number 36, 50, 69, 96 or whatever let him wear it.

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

If the players care about the comments Burke makes even half as much as you do they are in trouble.

They need to develop thicker skin then that because I am sure much worse things will be said to these guys over the course of their careers then "I liked the 2013 draft but was not a fan of the 2011 or 2012 drafts".

All Burke says about these guys is negative.

Negative feedback is fine in moderation. 100% negative feedback creates a terrible environment.

Is there any recent draft pick he has praised besides Monahan?

Yeah, it'd be nice if everyone had thicker skin. But I sure as hell wouldn't be happy if my boss criticized every document I wrote or every presentation I made at work. I wouldn't stay there long.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Major Major

I'm not saying I don't agree, there is room for improvement, but leave that for the coaches rather than putting a negative spin on our best player for the last 6 weeks or so. A player who has, in my opinion, been held back by confidence issues.

I don't disagree with what you say there.... just translating what BB is saying that many probably don't understand.

The coles notes in this thread do make me scratch my head a bit. But I remember his last FAN interview coles notes seemed really weird too until I actually listened to them in person, then it made sense and I thought his comments were fair.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by nik-

The number thing is just so silly. It was silly when Darryl was in charge and it's still silly. What does it matter?

Agreed. It's stupid. It's all about some old fashioned tradition. How about we worry less about player jersey numbers and get that freakin' abomination shootout out of the game?

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I always find things like that silly. Why should Brian Burke care what jersey number someone wears? If a guy wants to wear a high non-retired number let him wear it.

Burke cares because Burke is a control freak.