After managing the Toronto Maple Leafs for four years of futility, Brian Burke found himself removed from the general manager position and shifted into a senior advisory role.
With this team being almost identical to the team Burke assembled last season, many believe that this team is not capable of locking up a postseason berth.
Burke's firing also looks like a vote of non-confidence in the team he built, which seems like an excuse for this team to not make the postseason in 2013.
That, however, is a silly assumption.
First and foremost, Burke's firing may have been more about his philosophy (which was still more conservative that the terms outlined in the new CBA) than his performance.
Sure he didn't guide this team to the postseason, but he was doing a nice job in building this team for sustained success in the future.
The second reason that the Leafs can't use Burke's firing as an excuse is the fact that their rocky goaltending last season should stabilize this year now that James Reimer's had some time to recover.
Keep in mind, when healthy, Reimer has been a very good goalie.
I ...
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Article written by Jonathan Reid
Toronto Maple Leafs: Why They Can’t Use Brian Burke’s Firing as an Excuse
January 22nd, 2013 by Jonathan Reid Leave a reply »
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