Shanahan/Players end of season press events

[bustaheims]

In Elliotte Friedman's 30 thoughts this week he noted that the Leafs would pursue Burke, but not for the GM role. I actually didn't realize that Burke had been in Phoenix/Arizona's management team for quite some time now. I thought he was solely their goaltending coach. It really seems like he's after a GM job now though. Any other position here would be more of a side-step.

I imagine he'd have a larger role here than he had with the Coyotes. He's probably not ready to take over the reins completely alone, but, with the support structure that's here now, and Shanny overseeing things, he would probably be a great addition to the organization. He also seems to be pretty comfortable being hands on with the players, and he's done great work with goalies of late. With the power structure the Leafs appear to be employing, the more experienced guys aren't likely to want to come here, and getting guys that aren't so set in their idea of what makes a successful team is probably to the Leafs' benefit. The less experienced front office guys seem to be better able to adapt to the changes around the league.

 

[Kin]

One of the things that always bothered me about the JFJ hiring, even when it happened, was that the organization he was being poached for was kind of a middle of the road organization that didn't have a great drafting/developing record and their success was basically all built on the smart acquisitions of pro players like MacInnis, Pronger, Tkachuk, Weight and so on. People focused on the inexperience but I figured that so long as the guy was from an organization you wanted yours to emulate then that was all for the best.

I have to be honest, I don't look at Phoenix and see a team the Leafs need to be a part of. Budgetary concerns aside they've sputtered and stalled in large part because of a poor record of drafting/developing players.

But, as busta hints at, the really high profile AGM candidates like Brisebois and Futa might not be overly interested in a promotion in name only.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I'd be much more interested in Burke as just our goalie coach. But he doesn't seem to be interested in continuing down that route.

 

[Al14]

I'd be much more interested in Burke as just our goalie coach. But he doesn't seem to be interested in continuing down that route.

Would he really want to change teams for no positional upgrade?  Well, maybe, money talks, right?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Would he really want to change teams for no positional upgrade?  Well, maybe, money talks, right?

He might also just feel that he'd have more of a voice somewhere outside of Arizona where Don Maloney is in full control.

 

[Al14]

Would he really want to change teams for no positional upgrade?  Well, maybe, money talks, right?

He might also just feel that he'd have more of a voice somewhere outside of Arizona where Don Maloney is in full control.

You mean Maloney has more control than Shanahan?  ???

 

[CarltonTheBear]

You mean Maloney has more control than Shanahan?  ???

Considering everything Shanny's done so far and how he plans to structure his management team, I would say that he probably gives the people under him more of a voice than somebody like Maloney does.

 

[Al14]

You mean Maloney has more control than Shanahan?  ???

Considering everything Shanny's done so far and how he plans to structure his management team, I would say that he probably gives the people under him more of a voice than somebody like Maloney does.

Just maybe, Shanhan already has too many inexperienced voices under him.  I think Shanahan should be looking to hire a more experienced G.M. than someone like Sean Burke.

One Burke is enough already.  ;D   

 

[Kin]

Just maybe, Shanhan already has too many inexperienced voices under him.  I think Shanahan should be looking to hire a more experienced G.M. than someone like Sean Burke.

But isn't your premise that Shanahan has all of the control in the organization? Why would a smart, experienced GM want to become one of Shanahan's underlings?

 

[Al14]

Just maybe, Shanhan already has too many inexperienced voices under him.  I think Shanahan should be looking to hire a more experienced G.M. than someone like Sean Burke.

But isn't your premise that Shanahan has all of the control in the organization? Why would a smart, experienced GM want to become one of Shanahan's underlings?

Who knows, maybe Shanahan hires a very experienced G.M. then does a LaFontaine.  ???

 

[Frank E]

Just maybe, Shanhan already has too many inexperienced voices under him.  I think Shanahan should be looking to hire a more experienced G.M. than someone like Sean Burke.

But isn't your premise that Shanahan has all of the control in the organization? Why would a smart, experienced GM want to become one of Shanahan's underlings?

All GMs are underlings of some sort.  Seems Shanahan has no intention of being the guy in front of the camera all the time either. 

Does he meddle and micromanage the life out of the GM?  I doubt it, given the reports about how Nonis was held responsible for the decisions made this past year.

You'd want to come to Toronto to be part of a team with the intention and means to build a contender.

If they're successful, you've certainly got some job security, and/or you've bolstered your resume.

 

[Kin]

All GMs are underlings of some sort

To some extent, sure, but not when it comes to making hockey decisions. And, again, it's not my contention that someone like Burke wouldn't have a voice here, I'm responding to someone who said "Burke wouldn't want to come here because he wouldn't have much authority" and then said "They should hire an experienced GM".

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

I'm not crazy about his past, speaks to character, I'd definitely pass

 

[Pick]

Would he really want to change teams for no positional upgrade?  Well, maybe, money talks, right?

Or maybe he just wants to get to the city where he grew up and his family still lives. Also, he played for the Toronto Marlies of the OHL.

Anyway, I don't see how a guy with no experience as GM is the way to go. Some see the youth in a management team as positive because they can adapt better to changing trends, blah, blah, blah. I see it as a management team learning on the job at a critical point in this teams history

He might also just feel that he'd have more of a voice somewhere outside of Arizona where Don Maloney is in full control.

 

[cw]

I have my doubts about Burke being ready to be a GM. But I think they're smart to talk with him.

He's always struck me as having a decent head on his shoulders for hockey. He has a lot of experience and is very current with the demands on today's NHL goalies and the talent requirements to meet them.

Maloney and Tippett are solid hockey people to have learned something from. They're good guys. I'd take Tippett as coach in a heartbeat.

There's something to be said for the experience of trying to ice a team with serious financial problems. Indeed, it's very different from the Leafs budget but you get a pretty good appreciation for price performance in a player and the management mindset when you're haggling a trade with guys in their shoes.

Lastly, you learn from these interviews about what is going on around the league - certainly in Phoenix. Even if they don't hire him, he'd be a credible guy to talk to about his experiences and how he sees what is going on in goaltending (a tough subject for anyone in the NHL), the current game, talent, the CBA from a small market perspective, etc, etc.

That isn't a bad thing in this process. I hope they talk with 15 guys like this and they rope in the guy they think is the cream of that crop.

 

[Al14]

I have my doubts about Burke being ready to be a GM. But I think they're smart to talk with him.

He's always struck me as having a decent head on his shoulders for hockey. He has a lot of experience and is very current with the demands on today's NHL goalies and the talent requirements to meet them.

Maloney and Tippett are solid hockey people to have learned something from. They're good guys. I'd take Tippett as coach in a heartbeat.

There's something to be said for the experience of trying to ice a team with serious financial problems. Indeed, it's very different from the Leafs budget but you get a pretty good appreciation for price performance in a player and the management mindset when you're haggling a trade with guys in their shoes.

Lastly, you learn from these interviews about what is going on around the league - certainly in Phoenix. Even if they don't hire him, he'd be a credible guy to talk to about his experiences and how he sees what is going on in goaltending (a tough subject for anyone in the NHL), the current game, talent, the CBA from a small market perspective, etc, etc.

That isn't a bad thing in this process. I hope they talk with 15 guys like this and they rope in the guy they think is the cream of that crop.

Oh, heck, why not just hire all 15 guys.  You know MLSE can afford it!