The former President and General Manager of the
Toronto Maple Leafs met the media on Saturday, for the first time since he was
let go from his post Wednesday. He did not disappoint.
“I was stunned by this turn of events no question
about it,” said Burke. “I don’t know if I could feel any worse. This was like a
2 by 4 upside the head for me.”
Burke’s Leafs posted a record of 129-135-42.
Talk all you will about Burke’s questionable free
agent signings or his bombastic and combative attitude, there is no denying
Burke failed to win enough to keep his job.
“We didn’t win enough, and that’s why we’re here
today,” said Burke. “I apologize to the fans that I wasn’t able to deliver more
to the on ice product. I did not accomplish what I set out to accomplish.”
Burke admitted going through 10 goaltenders during
his time in Toronto will in part define his legacy as Leafs GM.
“Clearly goaltending was an issue here, clearly,”
admitted Burke. “It is not for lack of trying we weren’t able to solve it. I still
believe if James Reimer hadn’t gotten hurt it wouldn’t have been an issue.”
Burke was told why he was fired, but refused to tell
the media.
“I view that as something between me and ownership.
I believe some of those things belong in the board room,” Burke said.
It is strongly suggested that the new ownership of
Rogers and Bell media didn’t like Burke’s image and that – along with a poor
job on the ice – resulted in this surprising turn of events.
“I would like to go to work for a team that doesn’t
get sold next time. Someone buys a team they have the absolute right to have
their guy. I have to pick better next time. The people that hired me hired
Brian Burke. Maybe the new guys don’t like that brand. I’m not changing.”
Burke is a Senior Advisor to the Leafs, but was told
not to report to the hockey operations side, but to the board of directors. That
doesn’t sit well with Burke who admits he wants to be a GM again “tomorrow.”
“If we won enough games you can be as obnoxious as
you want to be if you are in first place. We didn’t win enough games.”
Burke says he never was given a “satisfactory”
answer as to the timing of the firing, but stressed his firing was handled with
class.
“It’s the Vatican. It’s the biggest stage in hockey.”
A stage that becomes quieter without Burke on the
scene.
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