Just a few thoughts...
On Sid.
So Crosby is returning, and that's great for hockey, and the Pittsburgh Penguins. But I get a little overwhelmed by the coverage that is given the worlds best player. For all he's accomplished, and it is a lot in a short career, I think many of it is severely overstated. I know that sounds like blasphemy to many fans, but hear me out. Crosby, as early as the World Juniors, and the Memorial Cup, has never been the best player in tournaments. In the 05 Mem Cup, the MVP went to Corey Perry. Come to the NHL, he has won the league MVP (which helps cement his status), the Richard Trophy, Lest B Pearson Award etc. But when it came to winning the Cup, the best player for the Penguins was the other Superstar center for the Penguins, Evgeny Malkin. The Olympics was much the same. Crosby wasn't the best player in the tournament, far from it. But, he was Johnny on the Spot for the Golden Goal. That's what people remember, that he scored THE goal. Forget that it was linemate Jerome Iginla that made it all happen or, that Ryan Miller (who was practically unbeatable) let in an absolute stinker in the winner.
I have a lot of respect for Crosby. Absolutely one of my favourite players to watch in the NHL, today. But I believe his "Legend" has been overblown by the hype from fans, and media. Twitter has not helped this. He's not in the stratosphere of legends like Orr, Gretzky or, Lemieux. And that's not to say he never will be. Hopefully when he's back, healthy, and ready to go 100%, he will have his name carved into the Conne Smythe Trophy.
Coping With The Leafs...
There's not really a lot to say here, that hasn't already been said by pretty much anyone who cares about the Leafs. Frustration is rampant, and most definitely understandable. People are either furious, sad, or just ambivalent. Burke will be going into his 4th full season at the Leafs helm next fall, and results are going to be necessary, or the "Fire Burke" chants will be the next thing raining down from the ACC crowd.
Now, don't confuse the first paragraph with my feelings towards the situation. I'm simply echoing the feelings I'm getting from the Leaf fans I encounter on twitter, and other mass messaging websites (forums). I personally feel Burke (overall) has done a good job. He's failed in some very specific areas but, I believe the team is in a lot better shape now, than it was 5 years ago.
We have the draft to look forward to, and free agency. Hopefully what will come out of this years embarassing failure of a season will be a franchise #1 Center. Or at least a very good player capable of helping this team win it all. And Burke should address the goaltending situation, one way or, another. And don't forget, Carlyle will have a chance to work on the team through the summer, where I'm sure Burke will make several moves to cater to his coaches style.
Sean Avery...
Sean Avery's career looks to be all but dead. Rumours of his retirement might be a bit premature but, I can't see any reason to believe the man has any chance of landing on a team, any time soon. In the meantime, I'm sure he can continue on with his thrilling new career in the fashion world.
Tuesday, 13 March 2012
Friday, 9 March 2012
Defending The GM
I won't lie, I'm a fan of Brian Burke. I'm a fan of the job he's done since he came to Toronto and, I still believe he's the right man for the job.
When Burke arrived in Toronto in the fall of 2008, he didn't have a whole lot to work with. He had very little in the way of prospect depth (Luke Schenn, and a bunch of maybes), and the pieces he had on the roster weren't likely to bring him much in the way of pieces to build with.
Now I won't go piece by piece on what he's managed to do over the time he's been with the Leafs. Or, the many mistakes he's also made. The mistakes seem glaring right now but, the truth is, all GM's make them. And not all GM's are capable of turning a "mistake" into an asset (see Lebda for Franson, Lombardi or, Beauchemin for Lupul and Gardiner).
Burkes Biggest Mistake.
Perhaps Burkes biggest mistake would be his loyalty to his friend, Ron Wilson. Wilson may have been fired last season, if not for the late run the Leafs went on. This run came mostly on the back of rookie goalie James Reimer. Hindsight, I'm sure Burke would look back at that, and wish he had not put so much stock in a hot rookie almost saving his teams/coaches season/job.
Now, on the verge of another lost season under Brian Burke, fans are starting to point the finger his way. Many are angry, feeling expectations were much too high, given the bravado in which Burke expresses what he wants for the future of the team. Fans shouldn't confuse his boisterous nature with promises broken this season. If you've listened to his message the past 3 plus years, it's been pretty consistent.
Burke Wants a Parade.
Brian Burke wants to build a winner in Toronto. But, he doesn't want to build what would be considered a "one and done" group. Meaning, he wants to build an organization that is competitive year in, year out. You can look at this as the Detroit model, if you like. Where they draft a specific type of player, and learn to play a specific type of hockey. Players that fit into the Leafs mould, and work their way up through the system. Now not every player is going to be 6'5, 220lb destroyer of worlds. There will be skill players, bangers and crashers, pick and shovel types. But everyone will fill a role. I believe if you look at his draft record over the time he's been here, it covers a lot of those bases. But 3 years isn't a lot of time to show the results of what he has done via the draft.
His Mulligan
Every GM gets at least one. The right to make at least one coaching change, to right the ship. Burke just recently made his, hiring the coach he won a cup with in Anaheim, Randy Carlyle. The people ready for his head, have to realize Burke didn't hire Ron Wilson. Ron Wilson doesn't coach a Brian Burke style game, which is why I believe it didn't work out for the two of them with the Leafs.
Carlyle is a Brian Burke coach. He will teach the young (and yes, they are very young) D corp how to play the game within his system. He will make players accountable at every level and, he won't bury guys like Wilson did, through the media.
If you look around the NHL, there are many GM's who have survived multiple coaching changes. Andy Murray in Ottawa. Doug Wilson in San Jose. Dean Lombardi has had a few guys come and go in his time. And how many coaches has Jim Rutherford (Hurricanes), Glen Sather (Rangers) and, George McPhee (Capitals) gone through in the ten plus years each of them have been with their teams?
Burke deserves at least the chance to make this work with a coach he didn't inherit. With a coach that better suits the plan he has for the Leafs.
When Burke arrived in Toronto in the fall of 2008, he didn't have a whole lot to work with. He had very little in the way of prospect depth (Luke Schenn, and a bunch of maybes), and the pieces he had on the roster weren't likely to bring him much in the way of pieces to build with.
Now I won't go piece by piece on what he's managed to do over the time he's been with the Leafs. Or, the many mistakes he's also made. The mistakes seem glaring right now but, the truth is, all GM's make them. And not all GM's are capable of turning a "mistake" into an asset (see Lebda for Franson, Lombardi or, Beauchemin for Lupul and Gardiner).
Burkes Biggest Mistake.
Perhaps Burkes biggest mistake would be his loyalty to his friend, Ron Wilson. Wilson may have been fired last season, if not for the late run the Leafs went on. This run came mostly on the back of rookie goalie James Reimer. Hindsight, I'm sure Burke would look back at that, and wish he had not put so much stock in a hot rookie almost saving his teams/coaches season/job.
Now, on the verge of another lost season under Brian Burke, fans are starting to point the finger his way. Many are angry, feeling expectations were much too high, given the bravado in which Burke expresses what he wants for the future of the team. Fans shouldn't confuse his boisterous nature with promises broken this season. If you've listened to his message the past 3 plus years, it's been pretty consistent.
Burke Wants a Parade.
Brian Burke wants to build a winner in Toronto. But, he doesn't want to build what would be considered a "one and done" group. Meaning, he wants to build an organization that is competitive year in, year out. You can look at this as the Detroit model, if you like. Where they draft a specific type of player, and learn to play a specific type of hockey. Players that fit into the Leafs mould, and work their way up through the system. Now not every player is going to be 6'5, 220lb destroyer of worlds. There will be skill players, bangers and crashers, pick and shovel types. But everyone will fill a role. I believe if you look at his draft record over the time he's been here, it covers a lot of those bases. But 3 years isn't a lot of time to show the results of what he has done via the draft.
His Mulligan
Every GM gets at least one. The right to make at least one coaching change, to right the ship. Burke just recently made his, hiring the coach he won a cup with in Anaheim, Randy Carlyle. The people ready for his head, have to realize Burke didn't hire Ron Wilson. Ron Wilson doesn't coach a Brian Burke style game, which is why I believe it didn't work out for the two of them with the Leafs.
Carlyle is a Brian Burke coach. He will teach the young (and yes, they are very young) D corp how to play the game within his system. He will make players accountable at every level and, he won't bury guys like Wilson did, through the media.
If you look around the NHL, there are many GM's who have survived multiple coaching changes. Andy Murray in Ottawa. Doug Wilson in San Jose. Dean Lombardi has had a few guys come and go in his time. And how many coaches has Jim Rutherford (Hurricanes), Glen Sather (Rangers) and, George McPhee (Capitals) gone through in the ten plus years each of them have been with their teams?
Burke deserves at least the chance to make this work with a coach he didn't inherit. With a coach that better suits the plan he has for the Leafs.
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