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Briere expects boos; Burke negotiations in Anaheim not so clear cut

First, a correction: I got the wrong Dallas guy in my Mike Gillis column. It was Les Jackson, not Craig Button, who was the finalist in Atlanta with Don Waddell. (Button beat out Jackson for the Calgary job.) What makes this error worse is that I mentioned it correctly in an Inside Hockey piece the week Hull and Jackson took over from Doug Armstrong.

One of the comments mentioned Brian Burke. Burke was hired in Vancouver one day before Waddell got the Thrashers’ job, and I’m sure he was a candidate, but I remember talking to someone from the organization who mentioned it came down to Waddell and Jackson.

==
Here, in Montreal, the big story Thursday night is that Daniel Briere should wear armour to protect himself from what’s going to be thrown at him.

Zdeno Chara received the first-round boos, but he’s a favourite son compared to the Gatineau native. Briere turned down the Canadiens in favour of the Flyers last summer.

There was a good story in The Globe and Mail today detailing the contract negotiations. Basically, agent Pat Brisson was contacted by eight teams, immediately ruling out three of them, and then deciding against two more. It came down to the Rangers, Flyers and Canadiens. The Rangers backed away when they signed Chris Drury and Scott Gomez, so Briere chose the Flyers partially because of his friendships with Martin Biron and Simon Gagne.

At that point, Bob Gainey tried to re-enter the picture, only to be told that a decision had been made.

(Meanwhile a Philly reporter told me the Flyers made similar offers to Briere, Gomez and Drury - and Briere was the first to agree. Obviously, he knew what was happening with the other two.)

'Too honest'

This morning, Briere said that if he made a mistake, it was in being “too honest” in his public comments that another major factor in the decision was he felt Philadelphia would be a better team than Montreal. But he also mentioned he was upset with some of the things that were reported in the Quebec media.

After his main scrum was over, I asked him about that. Briere called some of those reports “lies,” specifically that he demanded a spot on the first line with Saku Koivu and Christopher Higgins. Then, he said he would deal with all of that after the season.

He had 11 points in the first round. He’s going to be motivated for something similar in this one.

==
Thoughts on Brian Burke: Very curious to see how negotiations on a contract extension in Anaheim go. As Damien Cox pointed out in his Toronto Star column today, Burke made a cryptic comment about how he’s never had a problem in Anaheim “professionally.”

That will only increase speculation that a move to Toronto would have helped his family situation. (Burke has a young family out west and older children from a previous marriage in the east.) Haven’t talked to him about it, but you get the sense Burke believed he would at least get a chance to discuss things with the Maple Leafs. Tuesday he said he didn’t know where he’d be in September. It’s clear the 24-hour reversal was not his choice.

It reminds me of an NFL situation years ago involved the Buffalo Bills. Their GM at the time was John Butler, and his contract was ending at the conclusion of their season. He was offered an extension and declined. He wanted to test free agency, just like a player would. Instead, owner Ralph Wilson fired him, questioning Butler’s loyalty to the organization.

And, my immediate reaction was: Why can’t an executive do what players do all of the time?

Playing field different for players, executives
Look at Chris Pronger. He wanted to leave Edmonton, even with four years left on a brand-new contract. Kevin Lowe could have done what Anaheim did, but he realized it made no sense and showed some class to a player who was brilliant despite asking for a trade midway through the year. Lowe was in a no-win situation, but did Pronger a favour.

Michael Nylander faced no punishment for backing out of a deal with Edmonton.

Twenty-five years ago, the Montreal Canadiens traded a future Hall-of-Famer, Rod Langway, because he threatened to retire if he wasn’t dealt.

Now, every organization makes different decisions, but as reports filter in that the NHL didn’t want this, I ask again, why should executives be held to a different standard, particularly when they can be fired at any time? It’s much easier to get rid of one of them than a player.

If I’m Brian Burke, I’m saying, “Look, I appreciate that you hired me when I was unemployed. But, I worked very hard here, finished putting together a champion, and made this franchise as valuable as it’s ever going to be. I think I deserve the chance to at least see if I want the job.”

Dallas did that with Bob Gainey, allowing him to consider a move to Toronto. He stayed and won a Stanley Cup. Anaheim should have done the same here. With Bob Murray and David McNab - or anyone else the Ducks might have wanted - the franchise would still be in strong hands.

It’s probably going to cost Anaheim even more now to keep him now. Burke has one more year left on his deal, and if it’s not extended by September, well, if the Ducks thought it was a distraction in the past few weeks, wait until the fall.

==
One theory being tossed out there is that if the Maple Leafs want Burke enough, they’ll ask Cliff Fletcher to continue as GM in case Burke doesn’t sign a new deal. Can’t see that. Fletcher has said numerous times he doesn’t want any part of that.

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Comments

Dave

Halifax

I'm sorry. I didn't realize Danny Briere was compelled to sign with Montreal because that is what was directed by the fans and the media. I didn't realize he has to ignore his own needs and wants and abide by the grand hockey experts who govern the world of hockey in Montreal. Gimme a break!! Just because he's french doesn't mean he HAS to sign with the Canadiens. I can see the fans booing a player from an opposing team because he makes a difference (i.e. Chara, Crosby) and he can be a threat to the Habs, but to boo him just because he didn't sign for your gloriouos Habs. I think that's just a bit presumptious and a little over-inflating of the Montreal ego to assume he should sign just because he's french. Danny Briere has had a pretty good career and he's doing very well in Philly. Personally, I'd like to see him in Boston, but I still enjoy watching him play, along with other French-Canadian players that decided not to sign with the Habs (i.e. Lecavilier, Lemieux, etc). Suck it up kids, you've got a pretty good team without him.

Posted April 28, 2008 10:03 AM

joe bearson

Florida

What kind of angst is driving hockey fans these days? That a player of Daniel Briere's character and ability should be booed when visiting any arena (particularly in a town like Montreal where fans appreciate all aspects of outstanding play) is ridiculous. Of course the same thing applies to Jaromir Jagr when playing in Pittsburgh and other great ones who return to play at the venues their former teams. We've seen Sid the Kid get booed on enemy turf. What did he do to rankle fans?

In Philly, they boo almost everyone. I'm sure that players are used to that when they visit the so-called "City of Brotherly Love." In Tampa, they boo the refs mercilessly, even for making obvious hooking calls against the Lightning (maybe its because many of the locals haven't yet learned the game).

Back we go to Montreal where the American national anthem gets the same treatment as homeboy Briere. And, where playoff series victories seem to call for the torching of automobiles.

Passion for winning is sacrosanct, but given the time-honored traditions of the NHL (and its fans), it is no excuse for lack of respect and civility. And, it does not excuse the antics of that shameless New York Ranger showoff, Mr. Sean Avery, either. Even I'd boo him, but I don't because I know he loves it.

Posted April 26, 2008 02:34 PM

Danny

Edmonton

Ownership of the Leafs has ONE objective - PROFIT.

They will not give full control of hockey operations and decision making to any GM. I don't think the job is as glamorous as some would think for a GM that wants to build a winner.

I also fail to understand how Burke has become this model GM? He took over a Ducks team that was put together by another GM, essentially. Did Burke build a winner in Vancouver? I think he is over-rated and pompus. Hey, maybe he is a perfect fit in Toronto....

Posted April 25, 2008 04:28 PM

Stephen

Vancouver

Will the CBC please give up its ridiculous crusade to brand Burke the heir to the Maple Leaf's stinking garbage pile. Serioulsy Friedman, you think Burke's comment was "cryptic" and it can therefore be construed that he will become the TML GM in 2009? Pathetic journalism/blogging. Everyone at CBC had assumed Burke would be the GM for 2008 because of his "cryptic" comments in January at the Hockey Hall of Fame. Look what their brain-dead lemming comments lead to: Burke staying on with the Ducks. I guess the CBC can ride the "Burke will be the GM of TML next year" headline until the 2015 season? Great job security.

Posted April 25, 2008 03:18 PM

DJD

Kamloops,B.C.

It is obvious that Anaheim DID NOT give ANYONE permission to talk to Burke.He WILL go to Toronto because he won't sign the extension.As for "no one in their right mind" taking the job,..why? It's a GREAT job.YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.All a person has to do is sit there for 5 years or until they buy you out.Fans will still be filling the seats wearing their Leaf jerseys and whining that the team sucks...what's the downside???

Posted April 25, 2008 11:49 AM

Bitz

Nepean

Burke would've had two big assets as the Leaf GM.

First, he has the gargantuan ego and iron cajones to intimidate the MLSE Board into submission so they refrain from interfering in hockey matters.

Second, due to his reputation he would get a free ride from the local media nabobs if he proceeds to completely dismantle Club Med (aka:The Sundin Clique).

Another GM, who may not possess the "larger-than-life" persona that Burke has, may blink when faced with the resistance he may encounter when trying to perform those much needed reforms.

On the flip side however, Burke isn't exactly an Einstein when it comes to drafting/evaluating young talent - which is exactly what the Leafs need moving forward as they start from scratch.

Considering that Ken Holland is an extreme long shot to land in Toronto, I believe someone like Doug Armstrong is the candidate best suited for the job. Whatever happens, they need to move before the Junior Draft and not dither(as Peddie intimated yesterday) until "training camp".

Posted April 25, 2008 10:18 AM

Paul in KC

KC

E:
Cliff one more year to "mind the store" then Burkie...I will bet a steak on it! P

Posted April 25, 2008 12:16 AM

Ryan S.

Anyone who wants to be the Leafs new GM would have to be nuts. For starters, look at the mess that JFJ left. You three players that are barely worth half of what they are being paid and they have "no trade" clauses. Secondly, the young talent in the organization is below average at best and some of these young players are playing on the PP and on the 1st or 2nd line. I don't understand why Leafs fans expect that team to win every year, as far as I am concerned they keep digging themselves into a deeper hole every year.

Posted April 24, 2008 11:25 PM

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About the Author

Elliotte Friedman is the host of the CFL ON CBC. Prior to being named host in 2006, Friedman worked on the CFL on CBC broadcasts for the three seasons as a sideline reporter. A Toronto native, Friedman is well known for his additional work on Hockey Night in Canada, as well as his presence on the Torino 2006 Winter Games telecasts as a hockey reporter. Prior to joining the CBC, Friedman worked at The Score network and was widely regarded as one of the best reporters in the country. Friedman used his reporting skills to break stories and file feature reports for high profile events including six Stanley Cup Finals, four Grey Cup Championships, two World Series and one Olympic Games. He is also a regular on the nationally syndicated Prime Time Sports radio telecast, hosted by Bob McCown.

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