Nonis firing could mean battle for Burke
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 | 08:56 AM ET
Immediate reaction to Vancouver’s firing of Dave Nonis: The battle is on for Brian Burke.
Burke clearly has bigger concerns right now. His Ducks are an endangered species, down 2-0 to a Dallas team that didn’t exactly resemble a serious contender down the stretch. However, the Stars look superior in every way to Anaheim, a popular pick to represent the West – again – in the Stanley Cup Final.
The timing of Canuck owner Francesco Aquilini’s announcement is very strange. It’s rare – extremely rare – for anyone to fire a general manager by statement, in the evening, while playoff games are going on. Public relations firms will tell you that the best time to release bad news is Friday night. In the hockey world, this has got to be a close second, although there’s no way Aquilini can expect this to go under the radar in B.C.
Aquilini will hold a media conference today, as the Burke scenario threatens to incite the biggest fight between Canada’s two largest cities since the 1994 Western Conference Final. (A rabid Canuck fan and good friend still asks me, “Has Toronto scored yet?” even though he knows I didn’t grow up a Leafs supporter.)
Burke can’t even go to Regina without being asked about the Toronto job. If he isn’t sufficiently annoyed by Maple Leaf speculation or by his team’s playoff performance, the questions sure to come about Vancouver might cause a bigger eruption than Artie Lang’s recent meltdown on the Howard Stern show.
It’s the worst kept secret in the NHL that Burke tops Toronto wish list. The Maple Leafs have made it very clear that they are not going to interview anyone until that person’s team is eliminated from the playoffs. They have also made it very clear that they are going to interview their top candidates first.
(A quick aside: Why are the Maple Leafs are not starting the interview process immediately? Someone from outside the organization explained to me that if you want to get an A-1 guy, especially someone who already has a job, you aren’t getting them into an interview process. If you want permission from Anaheim to speak to Burke, or from Detroit to speak to Ken Holland, you are only getting it if you offer the job.
There is no way people at their level will agree to an interview, because it looks bad if they don’t get it and they don’t feel they should be forced into a process, which is probably true. Bill Parcells is the perfect example. If you want to talk to him, he won’t agree unless he’s the choice. MLSE knows that if it wants either of Holland/Burke, its search committee must clearly identify them as the top contender and say to either Henry Samueli or Mike Ilitch, “I’d like to offer our hockey presidency to your guy. Will you grant us permission to talk?” If Toronto asks for permission to interview, it won’t happen.)
So, all of a sudden, it looks like the number one contender could be available by the weekend, and Aquilini drops the guillotine now?
The Vancouver Sun reported this morning that he had quietly endorsed Nonis’s plan for the organization during the season. There is simply no other reason to do it unless he wants to chase Burke, too.
It could have been done any time in the past week. The fact he was overseas is no excuse. You don’t need to be in Yaletown to release such a nebulous statement. With all of the recent reports that Nonis was about to sign Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom, it’s clear the former GM believed he had a legit chance to keep the job.
Aquilini may have some advantages over his Toronto competition.
It’s well-known that Burke’s wife, Jennifer, is from there and hosts a CBC show in the market. Plus, he wasn’t responsible for firing Burke in 2004. But, it will be interesting to see if Burke is sufficiently angered by this move since he hired Nonis in the first place, named him as his daughter’s godfather and last year, prior to the Anaheim-Vancouver series, called him “my best friend.”
And, will Aquilini match the millions Toronto is sure to throw at him? The Maple Leafs have let it be known that their next GM will be the highest-paid in the sport, with complete control and a generous bonus package as extra incentive. Burke’s children from his first marriage live in the eastern United States, which can’t hurt Toronto’s cause.
Anaheim also has an extension waiting for him, although the Ducks appear willing to let him go if he wants to. But the more teams that show interest, the better it is for both sides. Burke is going to be a very wealthy man, no matter where he goes. Good for him. Can’t fault a guy for being wanted. Good for the Ducks, too, since maybe they can say to Toronto and Vancouver, “You want permission? How about a draft pick?” and see who is more desperate.
Right now, it looks like both teams are.
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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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Comments
dustin
winnipeg,manitoba
firing nonis is a good thing he didnt do anything good who doesnt make a move on tradedeadline day is dumb for a team that was in like 7 or 8th spot if he made a move for a power forward then it would have been vancouver in the playoffs im happy he is gone and as for sean avery the league could do without him
Posted April 17, 2008 08:56 PM
VanFan -
vancouver
If Burke were to go to TO (crap team anyway) he could really put blocks to Francesco and the boys. Let Burke run Laffs for a year, after Canucks have paid his salary, then hire him as GM (ouch). Burke could also probably sign super(potential)swede, without assurance that Nonis would be coming on board.
Still a VanFan, but if these owners want to dump personnel midstream they should pay the price. Still hate the Leafs, but would enjoy the intrigue.
Posted April 17, 2008 07:05 PM
Juan
Victoria
Brian from Burnaby quote "If I'm a seasons ticket holder, I'd be choked at this latest move."
But you're not, are you? Most "folks" know how hockey goes. The Canucks are pathetic, no arguing there but with fans like Brian, its not hard to tell why! I feel scared for the Olympic team playing in front of a crowd like Bryan in 2010..
Posted April 17, 2008 06:38 PM
MRBAZ
Let's set the story straight once and for all
on Dave Nonis making the best trade in Canuck
history in getting Luongo. Any real hockey fan knows that Keenan was tipped off that he was to be fired and gave away Florida's star goalie as a bitter-sweet good-bye. If anyone thinks that Dave Donut set up that blockbuster they must be drunk. The guy has done nothing for 3 years!! Last year after the playoffs we needed more scoring so he picked up Ritchie & Isbister to save us-what a farce! Wake up Nonis supporters this should of been done after last year's playoffs-Nuff' Said.
Posted April 17, 2008 12:00 PM
Rick Hart
Lets give Aquillini credit for not wanting to stomach the failures, year after year. He was a season-ticket holder for many years before purchasing the team. He has the right to be SATISFIED!! I have been a fan for many years and am tired of watching and hoping for skill set from the leadership, which most nights is lacking, & it is night after night. Regular season comes to an end when the playoff hunts begin and nucks just didnt have the horses to beat the teams more determined and skilled to move on. It is fairly easy to defend the twins and there habitual cycle system, especially without another line available to spread the offence around. The scouting has been mostly poor for a long time, but the regime never makes many changes. Luongo deserves a better skilled bunch in front of him. He is a very special dedicated athlete and he has run out of patience with the lackluster attempts of management and teammates alike.
I am thrilled to see the possibilities of change. Lets remember " change usually does not come unless there is a crisis" Maybe, just maybe Doug Armstrong would have learned a thing or two from being fired in Dallas , with a winning record. Maybe he knows how to do it RIGHT.
Posted April 16, 2008 11:27 PM
Brad
Ontario
What they did to Nonis is a Joke. I am a leafs fan and would love to have him. 2 seasons ago they set a franchise record in pts. They STEAL lungo from the panthers. He did everything he could, it wasn't his fault nasland had a bad year.
Posted April 16, 2008 05:58 PM
Rob Dukai
Vancouver
So the Canucks fired Nonis. Has anybody noticed that the Canucks have been playing the same season for 37 years? Sure, they made the finals twice - serving as cannon fodder for 2 giant New York teams. I say the WHOLE FRANCHISE needs a rethink. A new start. Cute guys like Linden, Bure, Smyl, Sedins....seem to be all they need to fill the Vancouver stands. Never mind the Cup - a president's trophy and ONE hall of famer player would be shocking enough.
Posted April 16, 2008 05:39 PM
DJD
Kamloops,B.C.
I really cannot agree with ANYTHING you said,Ben.Have we been watching the same team?
Posted April 16, 2008 04:12 PM
Ted Eagles
Kamloops
I cannot understand the moaning and groaning
of the Vancouver fans because the Canucks
missed the playoffs.
At most, it would have meant nothing more than
a further four games before the season was over.
Posted April 16, 2008 12:48 PM
Aaron Shelly
Elliott,
Doesn't this just set the table for Burke to come to Toronto? Here not only can he take what many to consider the top front office job in Hockey, but he can also simultaneously name the godfather of his daughter and his "best friend" as the new GM for The Maple Leafs as well... This should make it even more attractive to Burke. Not very smart move by the Vancouver owner... Now he's practically pushing to Toronto the president MLSE wants, who can now (for no compensation) pick up whowould be presumably his first choice for a GM who in turn has done all the leg work to sign the most sought after non - NHL free agent in the world... I'm sure I can speak for most Leaf fans when I say "Thanks Mr. Aquilini!!!"
Posted April 16, 2008 12:31 PM
ben
Vancouver
A stunning mistake! Vancouver wasn't so sure about Nonis at first, but it eventually became clear that he puts the Stanley Cup first. He had good explanations for not making any moves before the playoffs. The guy has laid the ground work for this team. Whoever comes next almost has it made. If Nonis goes to another team, we might see how good he can be.
Dumb, dumb move to let a young, smart GM like that go.
Posted April 15, 2008 04:41 PM
SALLY
Firing Nonis is the best move that Canucks has done this year. The next should be to fire that lousy coach. We have got to get a better coach.
Posted April 15, 2008 04:35 PM
KokaneeKid
PGBC
Nostalgia is great while you are day dreaming at work or on a boring date but...... To run a Hockey Club it's useless. Burke had his time here as did Naslund, Morrison and Linden (it pains me to put Linden in there). Canucks need to look forward not back. Switch it up. I'd rather loose like the Oilers did than watch the Canucks lose like they did. They were truly boring under Nonis and Burke.
Posted April 15, 2008 03:01 PM
Brian
Leafnation
Just a quick comment about Burke.
I personally would like to see him as Leafs GM; but not at the expense of a draft pick on top of the huge money he would no doubt get. If the 'Nucks want to offer up a pick then so be it. There are other "A-1" fish in the sea.
Posted April 15, 2008 02:06 PM
GPK
Montreal
A fight for Burke between Canada's 2 largest cities? Last I checked, the Habs weren't looking to replace Gainey.
Posted April 15, 2008 01:54 PM
Jason Andrus
Belleville
Someone explain the media love affair with Brian Burke? What accomplishments can he lay claim to, to justify being everyone’s first pick as G.M. for every vacant G.M. position in the NHL? Vancouver never made it out of the second round during his tenure. Furthermore, Anaheim was drafted and assembled by Brian Murray, and Chris Pronger and Scott Neidermayer fell into his lap! No disrespect to Mr. Burke, seeing as he has done nothing to fan these flames, but he is definitely well down my list of G.M.'s to choose from.
Posted April 15, 2008 12:51 PM
DJD
Kamloops,B.C.
First off,I am a Vancouver/Burke fan.I wouldn't mind seeing him back EXCEPT for a couple of reasons.(1)I think that unless he has already agreed to come back,he will be choked that his buddy was fired and turn them down.(2)He has already HAD a chance here and his "best"? deal was getting the Bobbsy Twins,who have NOT led us to the Promised Land.(3) The Toronto offer WILL be too good to turn down,plain and simple.His wife MIGHT say Vancouver but I BET his ego will say Toronto....should be interesting.
Posted April 15, 2008 12:51 PM
Anthony
Ontairo
Is there a new rule in place where teams can not be compensated for Management personal?
Posted April 15, 2008 12:14 PM
brian
burnaby
No to Burke, this new owner approved Stan McCammon rationale for firing him 3 years ago. Why would he want him back, or why would Burke want to come back knowing that?
38 years and this NHL Club is still trying to get it right. Pathetic, I say. Once again it looks as though this organization is going to "start over".
If I'm a seasons ticket holder, I'd be choked at this latest move. Selling those folks the goods that we're going in the right direction, and then through 3/4 of the GM's mandate, the ownership makes a knee-jerk reaction like this?
Three words for the owners, "Get it right"!!!
Posted April 15, 2008 11:06 AM