Former Leafs GM discusses why the Leafs and Flames are perfect trade partners
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On Wednesday, former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke took part in an interview with The Leafs Nation, where he discussed a variety of topics, including the Leafs and the Calgary Flames perhaps being perfect dance partners in a trade for the suddenly available Nikita Zadorov.
Zadorov requested a trade out of Calgary nearly two weeks ago and Chris Tanev - who is also playing on an expiring contract - has also become available in trade talks. The Maple Leafs desperately need a solidified defensive defenseman after the John Klingberg experiment has not gone as expected. Now, with his lingering injury coming to light, the Leafs may need a replacement sooner than later.
When asked if it's a good thing to be trying to make a trade with you former club with all the prior knowledge you would have, Burke chimed in with:
"You'd like to think you have superior knowledge, it's a team you worked for and you think you know their players. I can still tell you any player I had in Pittsburgh, I can still tell you everything you wanna know about him, if he's still there I can tell you everything you wanna know about him...
I think Connie (Craig Conroy) has the same body of knowledge so you're dealing with two guys with equal knowledge, and Craig Conroy is new at this, but he's a real good guy, he's a real smart guy, and I think he'll do a good job. It gives you an advantage that you both know everything that there is about these players, it might be simpler in some cases to make a fit, rather than thinking you have superior knowledge [over the other GM]"
I think Connie (Craig Conroy) has the same body of knowledge so you're dealing with two guys with equal knowledge, and Craig Conroy is new at this, but he's a real good guy, he's a real smart guy, and I think he'll do a good job. It gives you an advantage that you both know everything that there is about these players, it might be simpler in some cases to make a fit, rather than thinking you have superior knowledge [over the other GM]"
Burke then started to talk about how if the Leafs are prioritizing Zadorov and/or Tanev, they need to make sure they have room for them, a proper role, and potentially an extension on the horizon:
"The key is getting these defenseman the right seat at the table, it's a phrase that Tre used to use when I was working there. You want everyone at the right seat at the table, so you do have a number one defenseman, you do have a number two defenseman, you do have a number three defenseman, you do have a number four defenseman. Some teams, you don't have a legit 2, you have a two 3's, but basically distribute the playing time, people are happy, they understand their roles.
I think they got to make sure they got to sign them both if they're going to pay any kind of meaningful price. You have to have some agreement that they're going to sign or else why bother? Take a later pick and get rid of one if you have to because you're going to let them go for nothing. If you're intending to make them a key part of your team, you better sign them."
I think they got to make sure they got to sign them both if they're going to pay any kind of meaningful price. You have to have some agreement that they're going to sign or else why bother? Take a later pick and get rid of one if you have to because you're going to let them go for nothing. If you're intending to make them a key part of your team, you better sign them."
The 68-year-old Burke has previously been the general manager of the Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, and the Toronto Maple Leafs, while also working as the President of Hockey Operations in his recent years with the Flames and the Pittsburgh Penguins.
He definitely has good insight on what's going on in the mind of a general manager, especially one who is trying to make a deal with his former club, as he did when he was with the Leafs and swung a deal with Anaheim.
If Brad Treliving truly believes that Zadorov or Tanev will help this club in the immediate future and beyond, he needs to strike now when the iron is still hot and before other teams begin involve themselves in the discussions.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 22 | 282 ANSWERS Former Leafs GM discusses why the Leafs and Flames are perfect trade partners Do you think it would be easier for Brad Treliving to make a deal with the Flames or more difficult, given his history with opposing GM Craig Conroy? | ||
| Easier, for sure | 101 | 35.8 % |
| More difficult. Conroy will know how Brad thinks | 81 | 28.7 % |
| I don't think it will be any different at all | 100 | 35.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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