Open Letter to Brian Burke

by ManicPreacher on Feb 22, 2011 11:08 AM EST

Dear Brian Burke,

You have repeatedly stated that we "will" have the best young defence core in the league in the years to come. So, why does it seem that you are always shopping for another defenceman? We don't need another defenceman now. We have 10 (well 9 actually, except when Dion Phaneuf decides to play defence) and a 4 million dollar guy playing in the minors (Jeff Finger). It should be glaringly apparent by the 1-0 score against Ottawa that we are severely deficient in the goal-scoring department. No more "truculence" please and more "skill". Also, can we NOT give away our hard-earned picks for Stephen Weiss. He's just another "guy" and we have enough of them. Not to mention, his wife will probably not like Toronto after living in Florida for so long. It's cold and it sucks. Trust me, I know!

Please accept that we will not make the playoffs. Statistically, the odds are very high against this and this kind of thinking makes me nervous for you near any gambling establishment. For our sakes and yours, let reality creep in and settle. It's not bad, is it? Soon the birds will be singing and the annual Leafs "We're Out of the Playoffs, but that's OK Cause We're Doing This for Charity" Golf Tournament (the WOPBOKCWDC as its better known) will be in full swing. I hear that Brad Richards has a great handicap and that should be a welcome addition in Toronto when we sign him (I hear if you offer him Darcy Tucker's old cottage in the Muskoka's its a done deal).

Will you at least entertain the idea of firing Ron Wilson. I know he's your BFF, but he's done nothing but blow hot air since he's gotten here and has had a less the stellar track record. It's not personal, it's just business. The fact that he's American has absolutely no bearing on this decision at all. Nope. None. The fact that he comes across as arrogant with a touch of self-entitlement has nothing to do with either. Nor does the little matter of backing up all that bluster with w's. Nope, its just because I just plain don't like him.

I have a dream Mr. Burke. I have a dream that involves Canadian kids playing for the Toronto Maples Leafs (a Canadian team!) one day. I have a lot of dreams, but this one keeps coming to the forefront. Oh why must every prospect that is brought in be in the American system? I love yanks as much as the next dolt, but how many college players really pan out in the grand scheme of things compared to Canadian kids? Yes, I'm a nationalist. I eat poutine, I like beaver-tails and I say "eh".

Last but not least, please remind Dion Phaneuf that the word "defence" is inherint in the title of his position "defenceman". I know he would like to be an "offenceman", but he sucks at that right now too. The only conselation I have as a fan in this regard is I might hopefully see Elisha Cuthbert in the stands every so often and that might distract me from Dion's missing the net or missing his check.

Sincerely,

A Frustrated Leaf Fan

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You should read this.

by Jo4nny on Feb 22, 2011 11:42 AM EST reply actions

I clicked on that link, and was pleasantly surprised to not need to read it. Thanks for posting the correct answer to this.

jrwendelman
The Artist Formerly Known as "Junior", who blogs at heroesinrehab.ca/blog

"But if someone so eager to engage into fist talk, we can always meet after season end in Minsk." (Mikhail Grabovski and a well-meaning but not particularly skillful translator) CERTIFIED GRABBO LOVER

ON TWITTER: warwalker

by jrwendelman on Feb 23, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions

That’s a really fine piece, Junior. I’d add a comment over there but there are 2100 already.

"I’ve been studying this and I’m pretty sure this is how it breaks down: 'You are allowed one team: The Leafs. In some cases, you can also root for a second team: The Leafs'"
-Cornelius Hardenbergh

by Nirbo on Feb 24, 2011 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

I agree, excellently written and right on the money.

by Jo4nny on Feb 25, 2011 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

Just because we have a few US players on the roster does not mean Burke is trying to push out all the Canadian players.

Burke and Wilson are both big parts of USA Hockey and are using their knowledge to add to the team. Still, look at who Burke and Wilson picked as a captain.

by bradleyhutchison on Feb 22, 2011 12:22 PM EST reply actions

I’d rather Burke just try to bring in good players rather than just Canadians but that’s just me.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Feb 22, 2011 12:45 PM EST reply actions

brought in by trade/UFA
USA – Komisarek, Brown, Kessel, Hanson, Lebda
Canada – Armstrong, Gardiner, Colborne, Beauchemin, Exelby, Orr, MacArthur, Brent, Scrivens, Phaneuf, Aulie, Giguer, Bozak
Other – Gustavsson, Rynnas, Sjostrom

seems to be leaning one way, that’s for sure

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 22, 2011 1:05 PM EST up reply actions

also for Canada – Lupul and Versteeg

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 22, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions

and drafting
USA-Ryan, D’amigo, knodel, Smith
Canada-Ross, McKegg, Nicholls, Carrick, Kadri, Devane, Blacker
other-Olden, Granberg, Brodin,
again, leans heavy one way

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 22, 2011 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

gardiner is american

Beasts of the NorthEast.

by pesianator on Feb 23, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

so he is, must have clicked on the wrong name on hockeydb, my mistake!

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 23, 2011 11:39 PM EST up reply actions

Oh why must every prospect that is brought in be in the American system? I love yanks as much as the next dolt, but how many college players really pan out in the grand scheme of things compared to Canadian kids?

Have you looked at who Burke drafts? The NCAA kids are extra picks. Why would you stop him from picking them up? What is the sense in it?

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Feb 22, 2011 12:52 PM EST reply actions

Have you looked at who Burke drafts? The NCAA kids are extra picks. Why would you stop him from picking them up? What is the sense in it?

Jingoism?

The First Certified Grabbo Lover

by SkinnyFish on Feb 22, 2011 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

They could be Martians for all anyone should care.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Feb 22, 2011 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

that’s not a nice thing to call euros

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Feb 22, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions

Of the college FA’s, Bozak and Scrivens are Canadian.

The decision of “major junior or US college hockey” is not an easy one and there are pros and cons for each direction, and not every situation is the same (in other words there’s no one singular path). Some kids blossom late and benefit from the college scheme of fewer games and more practice time, other kids burn out from playing a 70-game regular season as a 16-year old.

Last I checked the puck doesn’t know what’s on the front of your passport.

The Maple Leafs- making me certifiably insane since 1985.

by torleafsfan29 on Feb 22, 2011 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

You make a great point here. Occasionally a Midget (is it Minor Midget that’s 15/16? DOB95?) comes out to play with a group of us at pickup. He is an absolute speedster among his peers (and of course, none of us old wheezers can catch him or even come close) and he has magical hands. With all that said, he’s currently not listed in the top 100 of the upcoming OHL draft, probably because of his size. He’s fit, already treats his body like an elite athlete (exercise, diet, etc) – but just isn’t as big as the other kids. NCAA will probably be his best route, because if he’s going to get taller/bigger, it certainly isn’t going to happen in the next 3 months.

by spoonie on Feb 28, 2011 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

Minor Midget is

14/15 (DOB96)

If you can't pay em' trade em' and pay for someone else

by jaysfan100 on Mar 1, 2011 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

Meh, why would u be so “frustrated” at this point of the season? 6-2-2 over the last 10 should relieve some frustration… shouldn’t it?

Find a way to add 30 goals to the roster over the full season and reduce the goals against by 30 and we’d be securing a playoff spot right now. I don’t care where the players come from to achieve this, be it Canadian or American.

Contains the correct levels of Truculence....

by SydDave on Feb 23, 2011 3:37 AM EST reply actions