Tuesday, June 01, 2010

a letter to Brian Burke

I found this on a Leafs fan site and I think it summed up how I feel about the Leafs, generally. I could easily sign my name to this:

Dear Mr. Burke,

You have done a very interesting, yet quality job since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs' organization.

As a fan, on behalf of all Maple Leafs fans, I would like to thank you for your contributions.

However, there are still many things that we want to see. Most notably is a top line centre.

As you know, the Leafs have needed a top line centre since Mats Sundin left for Vancouver.

Even though Phil (Kessel) scored 30 goals in just 70 games last season, I think he can exceed those stats with a better playmaker by his side.

Speaking of a top line centre, how about trade bait.

Who would you use to help reel a team into giving us a performer who could play with Kessel?

How about Tomas Kaberle?

I know that you don't want to entertain that idea. But there is that window in which you can trade him during the draft. Would you consider taking advantage of that?

What about Luke Schenn?

I've heard about Schenn being on the trading block. Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing him go.

After a strong rookie season, he seemed to struggle more than expected last year. It does, however, appear that you could still get very good value for the young defenseman.

As I am sure you know, having won a Stanley Cup, teams aren't just built around trades.

With that being said, how do you plan on tackling free agency this offseason?

There are many potential "Brian Burke type players" out there in free agency this summer.

One of those guys is David Clarkson.

Personally, I've wanted Clarkson on the team for a while now. So have many other die hard Leafs fans. Clarkson, a Toronto native, is a very hard worker. He'd fit in great with the Leafs organization.

As we all know, the Maple Leafs are the richest team in the league.

Unfortunately, that's mostly due to large companies buying tickets for company functions, as a way of impressing clients, etc. This drags down the amount of true fans at home games.

That must be one of the reasons why the Air Canada Centre never seems to be so loud, and definitely not as loud as the Bell Centre in Montreal.

If you watch a Montreal game, which I know you have watched many of, you should be able to see that more than 97 percent of the attendees are true, full-out Habs fans. They cheer loudly, they wave their towels, and they are into the game from start to finish.

Hopefully, Mr. Burke, you can bring the Maple Leafs back to their greatness of the mid 1900's.


I am really curious to see if Burke is able to get an offensive weapon to play with Kessel, even if that involves trading Kaberle (a player I've always loved). The Kabby rumours are swirling and I'll be keeping my ear to the ground and my eye on the interwebs...

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know that - giving the present situation - the Buds have little wiggle room for creative strategical planning, but building your future around Kessel? That's about as stupid as building you future around Luongo ... oops.

Randy

The Renegade Librarian said...

In theory I agree, Randy, other than the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, Kessel hasn't melted down in the playoffs unlike Bobby Lou. Right now, I'd say that he's one up on your captain if only for that!