Leafs GM Brian Burke Talks Trade — Sort of
Filed under: Maple Leafs, NHL Rumors, NHL Coaching, Trade Deadline
TORONTO — Brian Burke’s Toronto Maple Leafs have a razor-slim chance of making the playoffs, at best, but don’t look for the trade-happy general manger to conduct a fire sale of his few assets by the Feb. 28 trade deadline.
The Leafs went into Friday’s away game against the Atlanta Thrashers 13 points out of eighth place in the Eastern Conference, which is a deep-enough hole that you think Burke would be looking to dump players for draft picks or prospects.
But not Burke, whose glass it seems is half-full. Then again, Burke has never been known to waive the white flag.
“We have been in a listening mode more than anything. Teams have come after our players and we are not going to dump,” Burke said over the radio airwaves on Friday. “If we can improve, we will do.
“Are a lot of players on our team in play? Of course they are. We are in last place in our division. There are not too many untouchables. I am not shopping for second-round picks. I am looking for players who can make us better.”
Phil Kessel and maybe defenseman Dion Phaneuf are about the only real untouchables, and given how much Burke has invested in Kessel, the slick forward might as well have a no-movement clause.
The Leafs gave the Boston Bruins two first-round draft picks last season for Kessel, and unless there is a dramatic change of fortune with the Leafs by the end of the season, the Bruins will have a lottery pick in the draft for a second straight year.
Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments
Source: http://nhl.fanhouse.com/2011/01/07/leafs-gm-brian-burke-talks-trade-sort-of/