Brian Burke on fan 960 this morning..

[Sheva #7]

Anyone caught this? I think Boomer and Warrener had him on but I didn't get a chance to listen

[JerryUnderscore]

Yep, SureLoss has posted some highlights in other threads, but you can check out the whole interview here: http://www.sportsnet.ca/960/boomer-m...hout-contract/

[ssjshmo]

Caught a little bit of this, they also said they would upload it to their podcast

Some notes:

- Wanted to trade Backlund when he got here, was frustrated with his inconsistency, would play well for 5 games, then suck, coach would yell at him, etc.
- On Tre contract, they usually wait until closer to the end of the season before they talk/review/finalize things
- This has been said before, really amazed with Tkachuk, when they found out they were going to get him at the draft, the whole table was pumping their fists

I'm sure other people will add more

[MrMastodonFarm]

Burke - What is that music?
It's incubus..
Burke - Jesus Christ its awful

[Northendzone]

did burke have his tie just dangling there.

anywyas, he nailed with the incubus overview

[flamesforcup]

Originally Posted by ssjshmo

Caught a little bit of this, they also said they would upload it to their podcast

Some notes:

- Wanted to trade Backlund when he got here, was frustrated with his inconsistency, would play well for 5 games, then suck, coach would yell at him, etc.
- On Tre contract, they usually wait until closer to the end of the season before they talk/review/finalize things
- This has been said before, really amazed with Tkachuk, when they found out they were going to get him at the draft, the whole table was pumping their fists

I'm sure other people will add more

Surprised he would admit that on radio.

[Roof-Daddy]

He didn't really say he wanted to trade Backlund, just that he saw him as more of a trade chip as opposed to a piece of the core. Said Backlund is a prime example of why you need to have patience with some players, and in particular some European players.

Then went on to use Stralman as an example of a player he traded to soon and should have had more patience with.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Surprised he would admit that on radio.

For all the crap Burke takes from some, he's pretty straight forward, honest and not afraid to admit when he makes mistakes.

I think people worry about how brash he can be and if it rubs the players the wrong way, but my experience with people is that they very much appreciate candid honesty. I'm sure Backlund had heard that before, and really appreciates the truth, and hearing about how he's made his management team change their minds on him and his value to the organization.

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

For all the crap Burke takes from some, he's pretty straight forward, honest and not afraid to admit when he makes mistakes.

What? No he isn't. He's an obnoxious windbag that lies as much as any front office guy does. When was the last time he admitted to making a mistake? I think I can recall all of one instance that Burke actually admitted to making a mistake and that was so long ago that I might be misremembering even that.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by Parallex

What? No he isn't. He's an obnoxious windbag that lies as much as any front office guy does. When was the last time he admitted to making a mistake? I think I can recall all of one instance that Burke actually admitted to making a mistake and that was so long ago that I might be misremembering even that.

This morning he admitted trading Stralman was a mistake. He also said he was wrong (or a least changed his mind) regarding Backlund.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by flamesforcup

Surprised he would admit that on radio.

Originally Posted by Cleveland Steam Whistle

For all the crap Burke takes from some, he's pretty straight forward, honest and not afraid to admit when he makes mistakes.

I think people worry about how brash he can be and if it rubs the players the wrong way, but my experience with people is that they very much appreciate candid honesty. I'm sure Backlund had heard that before, and really appreciates the truth, and hearing about how he's made his management team change their minds on him and his value to the organization.

Originally Posted by Parallex

What? No he isn't. He's an obnoxious windbag that lies as much as any front office guy does. When was the last time he admitted to making a mistake? I think I can recall all of one instance that Burke actually admitted to making a mistake and that was so long ago that I might be misremembering even that.

Actually, I have to agree with Mr. Whistle.

Burke is more or less an open book. He says what he thinks.

[DionTheDman]

Originally Posted by Parallex

...When was the last time he admitted to making a mistake? I think I can recall all of one instance that Burke actually admitted to making a mistake and that was so long ago that I might be misremembering even that.

Well....today. When he admitted he had the wrong read on Backs. When he admitted he traded Anton Stralman too early.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Parallex

What? No he isn't. He's an obnoxious windbag that lies as much as any front office guy does. When was the last time he admitted to making a mistake? I think I can recall all of one instance that Burke actually admitted to making a mistake and that was so long ago that I might be misremembering even that.

To answer your question, this morning on the morning show. Admitted to pegging Backlund wrong when he got here.

You are also confusing your desire to have full transperancy around what's going on behind closed doors with the Flames as him being a windbag that lies. NHL executives have to lie or with hold the truth from fans and media when the topic is something that could impact their ability to get a deal done from the team.

He absolutely is obnoxious, I'll give you that. One of the most obnoxious for sure. He also clearly thinks very highly of himself...........but most people who get to positions and success in their chosen professions like he has often do, they tend to go hand in hand.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Burke - What is that music?
It's incubus..
Burke - Jesus Christ its awful

Highlight of the interview!

[sureLoss]

summary:

this game is fun and easy when you are winning - guys are working hard and executing

when teams come together there are crystallizing moments
Gulutzan is a player's coach that threw everyone under the bus (with management's blessing) after the Montreal loss
first time the "player's coach" challenged his players and they responded
did wonders to share a beer with the players on the train ride to Ottawa

if you had to single out one specific player who deserves the credit for the turnaround it would be Brian Elliott

Burke interacts with both Gulutzan and Treliving
tries to say hi to Gulutzan every day, but Treliving usually passes on relevant information from the coach
describes his style as hands off but hands on - not interfering day to day but not out of the picture

Gulutzan is doing a good job so far
Johnson brought us back in it in November
special teams weren't very good - but stuck with it
balanced scoring
all of a sudden you realize this is a pretty good team

back in November did you believe this group could be a post season club?
easy answer is yes but did look back then wondering if they brought in the right people
decided to fix the things the could fix
1st was special teams and all of a sudden the special teams were better
then they simplified the system because the players were having trouble grasping it
it was discouraging, but have to pull yourself out one step at a time

Treliving contract:
the way ownership and managment here have historically approached managment contracts is to address them near the end of the contract
same thing happened to Burke in Vancouver - this is not unique to Calgary
don't owe Tre an offer or an answer on a contract until near June 30th, when his contract expires
in Vancouver, they told Burke they would talk to him in June for a contract that expired on June 30th
this isn't a hardship on Tre
on the suggestion Treliving might make short term moves without a contract: You don't know Brad Treliving if you think he would ever think like that. He bleeds Calgary Flames and will do what is best for the team. With the managment structure in place, someone couldn't do a short term move anyway, there is a process to approve transactions that make it impossible
Treliving is a professional, we have disccused it, it isn't a big deal to him
It isn't a pressing issue around here


only an imbecile would come on this show and say we are in (the playoffs)
no one is in until they have clinched
forget how many points we are behind Anaheim or ahead of LA, just play our game - the way we are playing is allowing us to accumulate points

Backlund is a great lesson in how you have to be patient with some guys and in particular some Europeans
had Stralman and moved him to Calgary - never thought Stralman would be in the top 4 and would be a pp specialist - if he held on to him could have gotten more in trade or he would still be in Toronto
Backs is a good example of a guy you need to wait and see what you have
when Burke came to Calgary, thought Backlund was an expendable guy
beef with him last year was they would get 20 good games then 5 or 6 bad games then the coach would have to yell at him to get him back on the rails
thought he was streaky and inconsistent - gotten rid of that
now he is playing good defensively as he did the last few years and driving a special line

Tkachuk
once Columbus announced they were taking Dubois, they knew they were getting Tkachuk because they knew Vancouver was taking Juolevi
you could see guys at our draft table doing fist bumps
he lacks some power in skating - which will come with time and work effort
while there are a few ahead of him in rookie scoring, not sure if many of them are the complete package - fighting, hitting, net front presence is excellent
works on tipping pucks after practice and he almost gets everyone
we were goint to send him back - 18 years old go back - Kadri sent back, Ryan sent back - but Treliving said he wanted to keep him
it costs money to keep an 18 year old as they get closer to UFA and arbitration
on top teams the top pick goes to the minors or junior but he played his way onto the team

Lazar:
Lazar is a player we all coveted in his draft year
tireless work ethic and he isn't small, 210 lbs, can skate, can fight but it isn't in his nature
have to rebuild his confidence
we aren't touching the lineup until the winning streak ends, so this kid he is going to sit but he gets it
this is going to be a long term exceptional acquisition
we think he was rushed into the NHL, he had mono this year
we think he can be an excellent 3rd line center or wing, he can shut people down, he can bang, and kill penalties
has a positive positive attitude. Selanne always came to the rink with a smile, Frolik does that on this team.

Bennett:
Burke really thinks over the last 5 games, Sam has been the most improved player
things are starting to click for Sam
thought the game the other night was his best as a Flame, and told him that
playing Center in the NHL is hard - playing center is 2-3 times harder than playing wing
thinks he is getting comfortable as center
had really high hopes for when they drafted him and he is not going to dissapoint
he has jam, he has skills, and he is going to get better

Stone:
Stone was a Tre move
Burke doesn't know this player, didn't get to see him play much in the last while, and the last few times he did watch him he didn't do much for Burke
This is Tre knowing the player and believing in the player and getting him
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a defenceman is get him a compatible partner and that is what Stone has done for TJ
He has been good in his own right, but his biggest contribution is that he has made Brodie play better

[EldrickOnIce]

only an imbecile would come on this show and say we are in (the playoffs)
no one is in until they have clinched
forget how many points we are behind Anaheim or ahead of LA, just play our game - the way we are playing is allowing us to accumulate points

Snek!

[Parallex]

Originally Posted by DionTheDman

Well....today. When he admitted he had the wrong read on Backs. When he admitted he traded Anton Stralman too early.

I didn't hear the bit on Stralman so I'll take you at your word that he actually said he made a mistake and give him credit on that... which would bring the grand total of transactional mistakes I can remember Burke admitting to having personally made in his 30 year career to two. But saying that he wanted to trade Backs when he arrived isn't admitting to a mistake (actually trading him would have been).

NHL executives have to lie or with hold the truth from fans and media when the topic is something that could impact their ability to get a deal done from the team.

Never said they didn't. I'm just saying that Burke isn't any more honest then his contemporaries. They all lie and Burke is no exception. Being an opinionated loudmouth doesn't equate to honesty.

Regardless, he and I at least share the same opinion on Incubus.

[Gaudfather]

I find Burke's comments pretty honest and straight forward. I doubt many other guys in his position (President of Hockey Operations) would offer a better assessment of his group.

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Parallex

I didn't hear the bit on Stralman so I'll take you at your word that he actually said he made a mistake and give him credit on that... which would bring the grand total of transactional mistakes I can remember Burke admitting to having personally made in his 30 year career to two. But saying that he wanted to trade Backs when he arrived isn't admitting to a mistake (actually trading him would have been).



Never said they didn't. I'm just saying that Burke isn't any more honest then his contemporaries. They all lie and Burke is no exception. Being an opinionated loudmouth doesn't equate to honesty.

Regardless, he and I at least share the same opinion on Incubus.

At the Brian Burke luncheon I heard him admit to all sorts of mistakes from his time with different teams. I don't recall the full story but there was a pretty big one that involved the Sedins.

I appreciate the openness he gives us as fans whether you agree or disagree.

[united]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

summary:
Backs is a good example of a guy you need to wait and see what you have
when Burke came to Calgary, thought Backlund was an expendable guy
beef with him last year was they would get 20 good games then 5 or 6 bad games then the coach would have to yell at him to get him back on the rails
thought he was streaky and inconsistent - gotten rid of that
now he is playing good defensively as he did the last few years and driving a special line

That's scary talent evaluation...Backlund has been an excellent two-way centre since the moment he stepped into the Flames lineup full-time, before Burke even arrived. Thankfully Burke didn't jettison Backlund back then, or during the gross misuse of Backlund during Hartley's coaching tenure. It's no surprise Backlund has excelled under proper usage.