Burke has been embaressed this past year. Misjudged the talent of his team and traded away the teams next 2 first rounders. He spent lots on defence and was still one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Now you have hockey night in canada taking jabs at the Leafs and Burke is apparently not very happy. Basically Burke is going to make a HUGE move this offseason to insulate his team. There is no way hes going to allow this team to potentially bottom out again this offseason and hand over another lottery pick to a division rival. This all brings me to one player------------------------
ILYA KOVALCHUK
You can like Kovalchuk or not but the fact remains that players of his ilk hardly ever hit free agency. Sure you will get players like Gaborik or Hossa but they also come with more question marks and in Hossa's case not as much high end scoring ability. IMO Kovalchuk is basically as goood as anyone in the league at scoring goals. Put Kovalchuk on that Caps team and in that weak division and he would put up similar goal totals as Ovie is currently doing. He is just 27 years old and entering his prime. Although he says he wouldnt want to play in a big hockey market I find that hard to believe because he strikes me as a person who loves to be in the spotlight and have all eyes on him while he's the man.
Burke also use's the reference of "finding a wallet on the side of the road". We'll this is a perfect chance to find that wallet without having to use any trade assets (picks, prospects or current players). Kovalchuk address's many needs on this team (size, scoring, elite player). It gives us a offensive player that we know every night is going to be dangerous and opposing teams will gameplan to stop him. This allows Kessel more room to roam and have less of the opposing teams top forwards/defence smothering him all over the ice. I cant remember the last time the Leafs have had a player with the pure skills of Kovalchuk and natural goal scoring ability.
Burke talks up this franchise and its history. He paints the picture that we are similar to the Yankees and Manchester United's of the world. Well you know what these teams do when a elite star player reachs free agency or whatever you call it in soccer, THEY GO ALL OUT to get that guy. This chance doesnt come around very often that you can aquire a player of this talent, at this young - ish age for only cap space dollars. This guy would be loved in this city like no player has since Dougie. Yes he'd be loved even more then Mats. Once he pots 50 goals and leads this team to the playoffs he would be treated like a god.
If Burke is serious about making this team better at all costs, he should be on Kovalchuks door on July 1st willing to do what it takes to get him signed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hpxCfs5 ... re=related
