You can read about Brian Burke's blustering here.
What is Burke's next major announcement? That he is going to move heaven and earth to trade for Crosby?
Is their even a glimmer of hope something could come to pass where Tavares becomes a Leaf?
If you were Garth Snow would you consider; the Leafs 1st this year (7th), Luke Schenn-D (essentially an Adam Foote clone), and a 1st from next year for Tavares? I don't think that passes muster, and I can't see Burke having enough sugar to sweeten the deal anymore than that.
The truth is that the Islanders need Tavares - badly. They need him to sell tickets. They need him to score goals. They need him to land a new arena deal. They need him to play on a cheap rookie contract.
Even if they decide internally that Hedman is the slightly better hockey option in the long run, Tavares brings too much else to the table for them to ignore.
And way too much to be interested in anything Burke has to offer.
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3 comments:
Won't happen. The Islanders need Tavares for all the same reasons the Leafs do... and probably more. Would be bad for hockey to see Tavares in TO anyway for 2 reaons:
1) Tavares at least has a shot on the Island of improving the team but would waste away in TO. Cripes, at least ever other badly run team in the NHL at least 'tries' to dress a good team or rebuilds for the following year. Proof? How about a guy named Sundin. One of THE most talented players ever IMO... and TO doesn't bother to build a cup winner with him.
and
2) Nobody on the planet, outside of TO, wants to see the Leafs succeed (#2 is pretty in depth arguement eh? ;-)
J.T. is going to the Island - good for them and hopefully the NHL. If the Islanders stay put (as opposed to moving to Kansas City) then the next big thing in the NHL is, sort of, in New York and that can't be bad for the league.
Hedman is going to TBay, which is good for the Bolts and perhaps for Hedman who wants to play in the NHL next season. TB will have to get an NHL franchise by next fall but if they shed themselves of St.Louis and/or Lecavalier this summer they may just be able to do that. With a combined cap hit of over $13 million for the next two years I don't know who would take these guys off their hands but at least it's a plan.
Colorado will probably take Duchesne and explain to their fans that he's like a young Sakic. He's not but if you can keep him away from any snowblowers they might not be able to tell the difference for a while.
Burke is doing what Burke does best - letting everyone know how important and powerful Burke is. There is nobody better qualified for that job. If there is method in the bluster - and there may be beyond distracting from the fact that his first year with the Leafs was no more successful (or successfully unsuccessful) than his predecessor (no playoffs, few remaining assets, no lottery pick) or even his predecessor's predecessor - that method would be to try and move up to get a Duchene or a Schenn (how reminds me of Ryan Getzlaff - which is why he won't slip to where the Leaf's currently sit).
Burke loves the sound of his own voice and believes he is the smartest kid in the class - good for him, he may well be -
I do agree that 'maybe' TO has the opportunity to rebuild with Burke... assuming that Burke has it written in his contract that he is God and the owners can screw off when it comes to anything to do with on ice product (present and future). The Islanders and TB could possibly benefit from somebody like Burke too ... althought their owners, who know nothing about hockey, like to run the show too much.
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