Burke "relieved"

[Pandalsson 1st MRB]

As much as I don't like the Leafs, I will feel ultimately sorry for the fan base when Nonis gets pushed to make the Luongo deal that no one else with ANY intelligence wants to touch.

The only way Vancouver was going to ditch luongo's salary was if some stupid owner/ownership group did the unthinkable - fire the current GM to replace him with someone they can force to broker a deal.

No we'll see how much the Leafs will give up for essentially a contract dump hyped as "our #1 goalie".

This might be as bad as the marsh-melo / dwight howard fiascos.

Not a good day in Leaf-land.

Burke shouldn't have a problem finding himself a job though.

[Parker 1st MRB]

I'm at work right now so I haven't had the opportunity to find out more about why he was fired now. When I first found out, my first reaction was WTF? Why now?!?!?! I don't think he was fired because of Luongo, but I'm not sure.

I'll post more when I get home.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

It sounds like a ton of little stuff that build up over the past 4yrs :/

[Mamora BAR]

Its because the leafs are owned by a corporation and Burke wouldnt succumb to what the corporation wanted him to do. Pretty much told them to kiss his ass. His style matched that of the previous owners of the leafs but not the current ones. Instead now their going to find someone whos a more business keen quiet guy who will follow orders and not be out and about attitude wise like Burke was. It was obviouse Burke was fighting with them and has been for awhile.

[Parker 1st MRB]

I finally got internet back so now I can make that follow up post I promised.

I live in the heart of downtown Toronto and I've been listening to the radio, watching the news, and reading some blogs all day. The one thing that I found in common with all these Toronto media sources is that none of them really know why Brian Burke got fired. All of these sources are just speculating as to what caused the abrupt termination of the 13th General Manager in Maple Leafs history. That being said, what all of them don't have in common is the same theory. I've pretty much heard every possible scenario that caused Burke to get fired from all sources of Toronto media today and to be honest, they could all be right.

After watching the press conference, held by Maple Leafs management, announcing the firing of Brian Burke and hiring of Dave Nonis, I came up with my own conclusion. There were certain things that stood out to me from that press conference: 1. Leafs management and Nonis said they are not re-building, they will be building up what they already have; 2. Dave Nonis said he is "more patient" when asked what the difference between him and Burke is; 3. When asked if Luongo was the cause of the firing, Tom Anselami (President of MLSE) said no; 4. Leafs management compared the relationship between GMs and owners, specifically saying that they are different then relantionships between GMs and players.

After absorbing as much information as I could as to why Burkie got axed, I believe it was his personality and the way he behaved as the GM that got him fired. For the past 5 years when you think of the Maple Leafs, the first person most people think of is Brian Burke. He was a outgoing, intimidating, impulsive, and he talked a big talk. If you're winning, then you can look past these personality traits but if you're not, then those become a problem. In the corporate world, when someone gets fired abruptly it means they said something to piss off the boss. When you're a character like Brian Burke and you're not getting any results after 4 years then you're someone who becomes irritating. When Burke took over as GM he said he wanted his team to have pugnacity, truculence, testosterone and belligerence, and unfortunately after 4 years he never accomplished his goals. In his defense, he did inherit a terrible team and made them somewhat decent in 4 years, but there were still some things he missed out on because of his stubbornness, for example, his unwillingness to front load contracts to sign star players. I love the guy, he's passionate about hockey and he made some amazing trades for the Maple Leafs (with the exception of the Kessel trade). I'll miss him, but at the same time I'm glad we're getting some new blood in here.

As for Dave Nonis. This is his second time taking over for Burke after a team fired him (he did it in Vancouver). I know very little about him and I don't feel he's a very good GM. Even though they didn't slap the title on him, I think he's only an interim GM until they can find someone more qualified. Here's hoping something right will come out of today's events.

[Pandalsson 1st MRB]

Not always a fan of this guy's articles... but interesting perspective on the ownership.

I think that most of the guys I talk hockey with in Mtl are of the same opinion... just really really weird timing.

Even if Anselami says Luongo played no factor, it can't be coincidence that Burke absolutely REFUSED to trade for Luongo at "asking price", the start of the season, and his firing all came up at roughly the same time.

[Parker 1st MRB]

Not always a fan of this guy's articles... but interesting perspective on the ownership.

I think that most of the guys I talk hockey with in Mtl are of the same opinion... just really really weird timing.

Even if Anselami says Luongo played no factor, it can't be coincidence that Burke absolutely REFUSED to trade for Luongo at "asking price", the start of the season, and his firing all came up at roughly the same time.

Ya but why so suddenly? It was widely known that Burke stopped contacting the Canucks about Luongo because of the asking price before December. Burke was at the Marlies game the night before, there was no sign that he was going to be fired at all. I think he said something to piss of the board or insulted someone higher up. I don't know, but I really don't think the man lost his job over Luongo.

[Parker 1st MRB]

I don't know much about Nonis but I doubt he'll be the permanent GM. If you want a summary of his most notable moves like I do, here is an article published by sportsnet:

NONIS' MOST NOTABLE MOVES

Draft History

Nonis added some quality players to the Canucks franchise but had his fair share of misses during his four drafts with the club.

2004: This was Nonis' first draft and by far his most successful. He added an infusion of high-quality prospects to a Canucks team in need of young talent.

Notable picks:

First round: Cory Schneider -- Schneider has developed into the team's No. 1 goalie.

Second round: Alexander Edler -- Rock-solid defenceman that has stabilized the back end.

Fifth round: Mike Brown -- Nonis will see the high-effort grinder in his new job.

Ninth round: Jannik Hansen -- Any time you can get an NHLer in the 9th round, it's a win.

2005: Nonis got some good value here but unfortunately the Canucks franchise suffered some terrible luck with their top pick in his second draft.

Notable picks:

First round: Luc Bourdon -- Bourdon was a highly-touted defenceman before tragically dying in a car crash in 2008.

Second round: Mason Raymond -- Raymond has not quite lived up to the hype but is still a capable roster player with the Canucks.

2006: Nonis had a rough draft class where Vancouver's only successful pick didn't make an impact until he left the Canucks.

Notable picks:

First round: Michael Grabner -- Grabner had a breakout year for the Isles in 2010-2011, after the club claimed him off waivers from the Florida Pantiers.

2007: This was a disastrous draft year for Nonis; not one player Vancouver selected ever suited up in an NHL game.

Notable picks:

First round -- Patrick White

Second round -- Taylor Ellington

Trades/Signings

When it comes to trades, the deal to land Luongo was clearly the most impactful move Nonis has made in his GM career. He was able to acquire an all-star calibre goalie in exchange for Todd Bertuzzi, Bryan Allen and Alex Auld. A monumental move that helped establish the Canucks as a premiere franchise for years to come.

Outside of that, Nonis never really made another marquee trade or signing. He didn't make any real splashes and tried to supplement his core with veteran players without sacrificing any of the team's top-level prospects. Most of his most moves were short-term trade deadline acquisitions or players to help strengthen the bottom of the roster.

Some of the players he acquired included: Taylor Pyatt, Bryan Smolinski, Mika Noronen, Keith Carney, and Eric Weinrich.

His most successful free agent signings were:

Willie Mitchell, D -- Reliable veteran helped stabilize a shaky Canucks defence.

Anson Carter, F -- Excelled (33 goals) playing between the Sedin brothers. Never was the same once he left.

Alex Burrows, F -- Burrows has developed into a top-six forward for the Canucks. Did not hit his stride until he reached the 50-point plateau in 2008-09 but Nonis was already gone by then.

Nonis was fired in 2008 after the team failed to make the playoffs in two of his three seasons with the club.

For those expecting the second coming of Brian Burke in Toronto, you may be surprised. Nonis has some similar philosophies, but as was proven in Vancouver, the two have very different approaches in building a hockey team.

It seems to me that he's not the greatest GM a club would want. I just don't know who else is available right now... Wayne Gretzky? jk

[Mamora BAR]

The owners just wanted to fill the void...and they did precisely that. A person with no personality whos pretty much a yes man.....did Jerry Jones buy the maple leafs and this slipped by me?

[Pandalsson 1st MRB]

Burke's press conf was interesting to check out.

Well, I just hope that TO fans aren't going to be saddled with a Yes-Man for the MLSE.

Burke isn't going to have a problem finding a GM. Maybe the Leafs can hire the guy he'll replace

If he was the Habs GM, there are probably things I would rail him for, but his press conference shows the guy is still one of the class guys.

[Parker 1st MRB]

Agreed, no question about it the man is a class A type of guy with a great hockey mind.

[Englebretson 1st MRB]

[Parker 1st MRB]

HAHAHA!