Howard Berger: 44 Leafs Notes and Opinions

Nice write up Howard. We are learning that regardless of what people say, Toronto CANNOT handle tanking. Burke was right, it's not as easy as it seems to just "tank". There is so much negativity surrounding the Maple Leafs and so much bitterness from the fans, there is just no way this city would accept a purposely awful team.

On another note, I don't understand what's happening at all. I have never seen a more heartless team. If you're going to lose in the talent department, at least stand up for each other and play with some grit. Burke would probably be the first to say this so I don't understand how he is fine with this team of heartless clowns. Size means nothing if you don't use it (see: Nik Antropov), we need some character (see: Darcy Tucker).

Awesome blog! Very entertaining and much detail put into it. You obviously put a lot of time into this one. Bravo.

Good blog

Very nice blog, thank you.

Nice write up Howard. We are learning that regardless of what people say, Toronto CANNOT handle tanking. Burke was right, it's not as easy as it seems to just "tank". There is so much negativity surrounding the Maple Leafs and so much bitterness from the fans, there is just no way this city would accept a purposely awful team.

On another note, I don't understand what's happening at all. I have never seen a more heartless team. If you're going to lose in the talent department, at least stand up for each other and play with some grit. Burke would probably be the first to say this so I don't understand how he is fine with this team of heartless clowns. Size means nothing if you don't use it (see: Nik Antropov), we need some character (see: Darcy Tucker).
- dionschenn

Funny how we can say we have character players since we're still paying for one of them.....

Howard Berger: 44 Leafs Notes and Opinions
- hberger

Good one Howie.

Thanks, Howard, for working so hard and putting so much hard work into this blog.

But, you couldn't find 2 more points actually about the team and not your best/worst travel experiences? #16 and #17 stick out like a broken finger. We're here to talk about hockey/the Leafs; we don't care about your personal experiences.

Good read......personal experiences and all. If I have one comment to make, after reading all the points, it would be......you are bang on about Glenn Healy! I used to like the guy, and still enjoy listening to his comments, but holy crap is he negative about the Leafs! At times he is way overboard in his Leaf negativity, and if Detroit is in town he gushes with love for them and kicks the Leafs in the same breath! Hard to take!

Good read......personal experiences and all. If I have one comment to make, after reading all the points, it would be......you are bang on about Glenn Healy! I used to like the guy, and still enjoy listening to his comments, but holy crap is he negative about the Leafs! At times he is way overboard in his Leaf negativity, and if Detroit is in town he gushes with love for them and kicks the Leafs in the same breath! Hard to take!
- Bullot

Ever since his BS comment on the Gionta/Reimer hit he can kiss my blue/white a$$

Good blog except for the part about Healy being accurate... unless Reimer is still selling that hit from Gionta...

The whole rebuilding of the Leafs went off track when Burke tried to rebuild on the fly and trade for Kessel instead of taking his lumps for a year or two, drafting high, and then signing some solid veteran players. Instead they have stunk anyways, and had no high draft picks. I mean wouldn't it have been better to have Tyler Seguin right now to build around. Kessel is a good player, good goal scorer, but if he is your cornerstone you have problems.

The whole rebuilding of the Leafs went off track when Burke tried to rebuild on the fly and trade for Kessel instead of taking his lumps for a year or two, drafting high, and then signing some solid veteran players. Instead they have stunk anyways, and had no high draft picks. I mean wouldn't it have been better to have Tyler Seguin right now to build around. Kessel is a good player, good goal scorer, but if he is your cornerstone you have problems.

The whole rebuilding of the Leafs went off track when Burke tried to rebuild on the fly and trade for Kessel instead of taking his lumps for a year or two, drafting high, and then signing some solid veteran players. Instead they have stunk anyways, and had no high draft picks. I mean wouldn't it have been better to have Tyler Seguin right now to build around. Kessel is a good player, good goal scorer, but if he is your cornerstone you have problems.

I enjoyed that Howard.....Koodoo's!!!!

The problem right now with this team is a few things...

1/ Burke has to go. Sorry, but the guy is a phoney, end of story. He barely did anything to win a cup in Anaheim. He saw a timely opportunity to land Pronger, which he did - right place, right time and right assets to part with. Then Rob Neidermeyer signed his brother Scott, which put them over the top. Brian Burke had little to nothing to do with Scott going to Anaheim. Pretty much 90% of the work was already done by Bryan Murray.

2/ Phaneuf isn't a leader. Sorry, but that was another dumb choice for your captain. Dion is probably one of the worst choices for captains although, I don't know who else they could have chosen because looking at that roster, I don't see many true long term leaders.

3/ Burke screwed you on the Kessel trade. Sorry, but Kessel is good and will likely get you 30-40 goals per season but isn't worth the price tag of Seguin, D.Hamilton and the second rounder you gave up. Kessel is one dimensional and vanishes for long periods of time. I'd trade him now to maximize your return on him.

4/ Burke hired the wrong coach with Carlysle. He is a good coach, but more for a team about to become elite. Toronto needs a players coach - Eakins would've been better, but now he will likely be gone too. Nice work, Burke.

Pretty much, Burke might be one of the worst GMs you've had - yes, worse than Ferguson.

The Leafs are doing exactly as they should, playing for a better draft pick. Let the slide happen and regroup this summer.

I agree Reimer has what it takes to be #1 but bring in another #1 to make sure anyway.

Burke is working hard, he should not be fired yet.

There will be many changes this offseason, should be fun to watch.

The whole rebuilding of the Leafs went off track when Burke tried to rebuild on the fly and trade for Kessel instead of taking his lumps for a year or two, drafting high, and then signing some solid veteran players. Instead they have stunk anyways, and had no high draft picks. I mean wouldn't it have been better to have Tyler Seguin right now to build around. Kessel is a good player, good goal scorer, but if he is your cornerstone you have problems.
- macattack21

Ahh, I haven't checked this week, but last I looked Kessel was 3rd in the league, and Seguin is what...........??? Not Kessel, or Seguin or anyone else in the league can carry a team by themselves! Kessel is doing more than his share at 24.........others need to step up and we need some veteran presence.

The problem right now with this team is a few things...

1/ Burke has to go. Sorry, but the guy is a phoney, end of story. He barely did anything to win a cup in Anaheim. He saw a timely opportunity to land Pronger, which he did - right place, right time and right assets to part with. Then Rob Neidermeyer signed his brother Scott, which put them over the top. Brian Burke had little to nothing to do with Scott going to Anaheim. Pretty much 90% of the work was already done by Bryan Murray.

2/ Phaneuf isn't a leader. Sorry, but that was another dumb choice for your captain. Dion is probably one of the worst choices for captains although, I don't know who else they could have chosen because looking at that roster, I don't see many true long term leaders.

3/ Burke screwed you on the Kessel trade. Sorry, but Kessel is good and will likely get you 30-40 goals per season but isn't worth the price tag of Seguin, D.Hamilton and the second rounder you gave up. Kessel is one dimensional and vanishes for long periods of time. I'd trade him now to maximize your return on him.

4/ Burke hired the wrong coach with Carlysle. He is a good coach, but more for a team about to become elite. Toronto needs a players coach - Eakins would've been better, but now he will likely be gone too. Nice work, Burke.

Pretty much, Burke might be one of the worst GMs you've had - yes, worse than Ferguson.
- BodyCheckRadio

1. Not crazy about Burkes demeanor at times, but he has brought much young talent to the club......the Marlies are doing very well. Not saying there is a Crosby or Malkin in the bunch, but we literally had nothing anywhere, before Burke arrived!
2. Phaneuf was the best option at the time! Some people flourish when given an opportunity like that and I think the Leafs were hoping Dion would! Obviously hasn't happened yet!
3. Kessel is a great player and is only 24. He cant' carry the team himself. Seguin is playing with much better linemates and still not doing as well. I certainly would not build a team around Seguin either! There are very few players you build a team around, most are part of a number of pieces needed.
4. Carlyle may not be the right coach at the right time for this team, but I like him and wish him the best! Eakins as good as he argueably is, has never even coached a playoff game in the AHL............he's not ready for the bigs yet!

Burke is not working by himself! He has a number of very talented hockey minds in the crib, all giving input. This team is very young and has youthful depth. Under the reigns of Ferguson the teams future was sacrificed fully and completely for the now.............and we are seeing the future Ferguson left us right now! I believe in Burke for one reason, he will not stand still for long, he will make changes and do whatever it takes. This current situation bothers nobody more than Burke! There will be no stone unturned this summer, trying to make this team better..........and that will be far more entertaining than watching these last four games!

Very, very good blog

I don't know if everyone else is to blame for Dion

from Feschuk's column today : On a weekend on which Sundin, Phaneuf’s predecessor as chief Leaf, was feted with separate receptions on Friday and Saturday night, at least three former players who attended the events say Phaneuf never showed up to pay his respects to Sundin.

“Dion’s absence was noted,” said one former player.

Another ex-NHLer, who pointed out that even members of the Canadiens made time to honour Sundin, guffawed at Phaneuf’s oversight.

“It’s a no-brainer: If you’re the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you go. Period,” said an ex-Leaf. “That’s part of learning what it’s like to be a captain. (Phaneuf) has a lot to learn.”

The Leafs are doing exactly as they should, playing for a better draft pick. Let the slide happen and regroup this summer.

I agree Reimer has what it takes to be #1 but bring in another #1 to make sure anyway.

Burke is working hard, he should not be fired yet.

There will be many changes this offseason, should be fun to watch.
- cracka

I don't see the ability to make "many changes" who is going to take our overpaid players, and give anything of value in return?

What free agents of any value are available? , what goalies and at what price?

The only " many changes" that can be made are from the marlies

cuz even Burke isn't stupid enough to trade our 1st rounder again.......or is he?

And what about Calgary getting fleeced in the Phaneuf trade but sitting 10 points ahead of the Leafs today in the standings?
- hberger

Ahh no, if the Flames only got a 9th rd pick for him, they won the trade just to dump the salary. He is a selfish, useless, pylon.