The Toronto Maple Leafs have toiled in mediocrity in the National Hockey League for quite some time.
The Leafs, for years, were are a team filled with career third and fourth line players and low on talent.
But the tide seems to be turning.
The complacency and overall perception of the team seems to be changing. The team's talent base is changing as well.
You have to give credit where credit is due. That goes to general manager Brian Burke.
Burke Changing The Team For The Better
Burke was hired last November and in the process, has hired a familiar face in Dave Nonis, who was Burke's assistant with the Vancouver Canucks a few years ago. Burke tutored Nonis, who eventually moved into the captains chair when Burke moved on to Anaheim.
He also has brought with him a sense of urgency. Burke aggressively pursued NCAA prospects Tyler Bozak and Christian Hanson during the season in an effort to upgrade the farm system. He was able to acquire both players with Hanson playing several games at the end of the season (Bozak was injured). Both players are highly touted and should have a good chance at making the hockey club next fall.
He also plans on being active in free agency this summer. He was quoted as saying not making the post-season 'should be a kick right in the groin to everyone in the organization'. The Leafs have ample space under the salary cap and will target a number one centre this offseason.
Maybe the most important and integral ingredient to Burke is the fact that he holds all the cards in the 'Leafs front office.
For years, there have been 'rumors' and scuttlebutt regarding just how much control a general manager in Toronto has. There was belief that whether it was Mike Smith, John Ferguson Jr. or Pat Quinn, all former Leaf general managers; they were all 'puppets' to Richard Peddie, the President and C.E.O. of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.
In order for the Leafs to lure Burke to town, demands had to be met. Burke wanted total control. Whether or not the rumors were true, he wanted to be able to do things his way. It certainly looks as though he has that now.
Burke Is Not Afraid To Go For The Home Run
Burke will pull off the blockbuster trade. His resume says so.
As the Anaheim Ducks GM, it was his trade for Chris Pronger that helped catapult the Ducks to a 2007 Stanley Cup.
Burke used Rob Niedermayer as bait to get his brother, Scott, a top-tier defenceman as a free agent. Niedermayer along with Pronger gave the Ducks the best one-two blueline punch in hockey.
Burke also pulled off the 1999 draft day mega deal which saw him acquire an extra top pick so he could get both of the Sedin twins, second and third overall, for the Canucks.
Time Will Tell The Story
This will not be a short fix, but with Burke's aggressive style, look for the Leafs to be competitive sooner rather than later.
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