Burke Speaks - January 30, 2014

[saillias]

There's nothing inherently wrong with the Sutter/Burke style of drafting. Sutter's problem was trading away picks constantly, that and drafting low.

Drafting is not a science. You can't have a successful developmental system with no 2nd rounders for a decade.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by return to the red

lol at Flames fans comparing Burke's drafting over the years. All of you realize that the Flames haven't drafted and developed one of their own into top tier player in probably 20 years! TJ Brodie is probably the closest thing that we have to it at this point and he was drafted 114th overall!

Hindsight is 20/20, can it really be any worse then trading away first and second rounders year after year and not having anything at all to look forward to?

It's also important to note that the quality of hockey players being drafted is getting more difficult to distinguish...beyond the top 10 or even top 5 is really is a crapshoot

When he fires a GM citing drafting record he looks like a hypocrite, If he's dumb enough to think his record is great he shouldn't near this team.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by T@T

When he fires a GM citing drafting record he looks like a hypocrite, If he's dumb enough to think his record is great he shouldn't near this team.

Thats why he keeps saying he's not going to stay GM, and this is only temporary. I don't know how you missed that as he has said that in every single interview, and keeps following this up with the statement that he wants to hire a GM that has a strong background in drafting/player development.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by T@T

When he fires a GM citing drafting record he looks like a hypocrite, If he's dumb enough to think his record is great he shouldn't near this team.

In other interviews Burke has mentioned three reasons for firing Feaster and the draft was only one reason. What bothered me for the Flames future is that Feaster kept making the Flames smaller while drafting small players. Feaster acknowledged this problem but didn't address it other than the last draft.

[trackercowe]

Originally Posted by T@T

When he fires a GM citing drafting record he looks like a hypocrite, If he's dumb enough to think his record is great he shouldn't near this team.

Can you please post a comment from Burke where he says his drafting record has been great, please and thank you! Because I doubt he's ever actually said that, beyond the Pronger and Sedin picks.

Feaster was terrible at his job, and everyone knows that. Burke may not have the best drafting track record, but it's still better than Feaster's (and Sutter's). Beyond that Burke usually does excellent work in trades and the free agent market. Surely Burke realizes this and knows how to best use his abilities going forward. This means listening to his scouts when it comes to drafting. Burke obviously does listen to his scouts advice, which is why he took Bobby Ryan over Johnson in 2005.

[DrJ]

Originally Posted by fotze

I heard he said Johnny needs a booster seat from someone who went. Can anyone confirm that.

Confirmed. "Johnny isn't small. He's tiny. He needs a booster seat to drive around," was the jist of it.

SuperMatt18's info is spot on but I don't think Burke said Backlund is a weak skater unless I missed it...

Some guy stood up and asked a question to Burke and Burke goes, "why are you standing? You should probably sit down, my answer is going to take a while." He then asked a follow up question later and Burke says, "aren't you going to stand this time?" He's definitely good at working the crowd. Entertaining afternoon.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by Poe969

The Flames need big players right now. I 100% agree that we don't need any more small players in the system.

I am a big fan of Burke - but I think this mentality is flawed.

For example we are picking third - we take Dal Colle and not the very best player available in terms of hockey skills and knowledge and where they are in their development (not just physically). We would miss out on players like Bennett, Ho-Sang, etc etc who are very talented but not yet physically mature.

Asides from the fact that you MUST take the best player available with every pick - this can result in getting players who were only dominant in juniors because they were 4 inches taller than everyone and weighed 30lbs more.

Are we a very undersized team ? Yes.
Should we take the biggest player projected in the top 10 just because of the previously stated fact? NO!

IF Burke fails here it will be because of drafting players for size and physicality ONLY. I am OK with talented guys who happen to be big, but taking a player like Dal Colle or Draistatl over Bennett simply based on size is very very stupid in my opinion. We wouldnt have Gaudreau, Granlund, or a few of our other top end prospects if we drafted this way..and we will surely miss out on other players who are undersized (undersized right now at age 17/18, not meaning they wont ever grow any more..)

Anyhow I am worried about 2 things. Not getting more 1st rounders / 2nd rounders via trade (ie re-signing cammalleri/stempniak ) and taking big guys who lit up juniors but dont have talent to justify a top 5 pick at the NHL level.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by fotze

When Johnny walks in to finally sign his entry level deal, he should go for the handshake but then with brass knuckles in his hand crack him across the face.

What?! No.

When Johnny walks in to sign his ELC, he should put his knees into his shoes and tuck his arms into his t-shirt, and talk in a squeaky voice.



Either that or have Arnold piggyback him into the room.

[Steve Bozek]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

I am a big fan of Burke - but I think this mentality is flawed.

For example we are picking third - we take Dal Colle and not the very best player available in terms of hockey skills and knowledge and where they are in their development (not just physically). We would miss out on players like Bennett, Ho-Sang, etc etc who are very talented but not yet physically mature.

Asides from the fact that you MUST take the best player available with every pick - this can result in getting players who were only dominant in juniors because they were 4 inches taller than everyone and weighed 30lbs more.

Are we a very undersized team ? Yes.
Should we take the biggest player projected in the top 10 just because of the previously stated fact? NO!
))
....

I agree. The draft is for players you hope make the Flames 2-4 years down the road. You draft the BPA, especially in the top rounds. And if you want size and truculence (I'm starting to hate that word), you can trade for it or sign it from the free agent pool. The '89 team relied on small skilled players (Gilmour, Loob, Mullen) and surrounded them with big and tough guys.

[Anduril]

I can see how Burke wouldn't be happy with Backlund's skating. The effort is there but you can't help but to think how there would have been more plays made by Backlund if he had another step or two to take advantage of with his vision and awareness.

[N-E-B]

In the summer when Burke was hired, I remember someone asking him about Gaudreau. He said there's room for small players on the team, but they have to be surrounded with big players. Sounds to me like the big guys he drafts he will be turning into role players. I'm not worried about him passing up a player who's way more talented for a kid who's a couple inches taller. This thread defines overreaction.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by fotze

That seems a little harsh. Yes, his size is a huge concern, idiotic to not think so, but you would think a guy who has gone through some of the things he has. A certain person born with a disadvantage, not through choice, who has to fight through barriers to succeed. I dunno. Weird.

Typical Burke hyperbole. You can't take any of it too seriously, or you'll cry yourself to sleep like Bobby Ryan trying to figure out why Burke thinks he's illiterate.


Earlier this year we heard Conroy joking that every time he sat beside Feaster and the Scotiabank skater came out on the ice, he'd ask if they had finally signed Gaudreau.

I'm sure Johnny knows he's short and the deck is stacked against him because of it.

[strombad]

Originally Posted by fotze

Oh I know. sure he has heard it a billion times. Its one of those things thats funny to be joked about when you are present but if you are not there its like you don't have respect from the person. Probably hits closer to home for me.



Johnny should meet with him and say 'Oh you haven't died yet? God you must be due for a massive heartattck, Ha ha, just jokes Brian."

Short people should chill.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

Whoops

[troutman]

An 18 year old draft is like a box of chocolates.

Therefore, get lots of chocolates.

[calgarybean]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

In other interviews Burke has mentioned three reasons for firing Feaster and the draft was only one reason. What bothered me for the Flames future is that Feaster kept making the Flames smaller while drafting small players. Feaster acknowledged this problem but didn't address it other than the last draft.

....hhhmmm...think the Iginla fiasco played into it too. We want players coming here.

[puckluck2]

Originally Posted by fotze

Oh I know. sure he has heard it a billion times. Its one of those things thats funny to be joked about when you are present but if you are not there its like you don't have respect from the person. Probably hits closer to home for me.

Johnny should meet with him and say 'Oh you haven't died yet? God you must be due for a massive heartattck, Ha ha, just jokes Brian."

I like Burke but he should keep his yap shut about his height. Everyone knows he is short no need to mention it every time you have a chance. What does mentioning his height constantly accomplish? Are people asking Burke specifically about his height? I doubt it.

[nik-]

Especially if the comment about the booster seat is true. Like, what's the point? What do you gain by making a comment like that?

[SuperMatt18]

Why are people making a big deal about the Gaudreau comment. My GF said it was a pretty clear joke to make the crowd laugh.

Was there this much of a backlash when Conroy stated he always joked that the junior Flame skating out in front of the Flames in home games meant that Gaudreau had signed a contract. Same type of joke about Johnny being small.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Why are people making a big deal about the Gaudreau comment. My GF said it was a pretty clear joke to make the crowd laugh.

Was there this much of a backlash when Conroy stated he always joked that the junior Flame skating out in front of the Flames in home games meant that Gaudreau had signed a contract. Same type of joke about Johnny being small.

I think a lot of people miss the enlightening candor of Darryl.