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03-04-2012, 06:33 AM #21Assistant General Manager
Don Cherry blast Leafs’ GM Brian Burke on Wilson firing
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03-04-2012, 02:24 PM #22
People are putting way too much weight on the fact Burke is an American and has American players. In Cherry's little rant last night, he started talking about the successful teams and how they have players from Ontario. His first example was Vancouver having 4 Ontario boys. What he didn't mention is Vancouver also has 5 Americans. Yes 5.
Burke has actually put together not a bad group. Are they the most talented group? No. But with the right coaching they could be a VERY successful lunch-pail group. Wilson, however, never had a chance. He's like Milbury, but less respectable as a coach. Carlyle, if nothing else, will have this group ready to work. That in itself is a win for Toronto fans everywhere.
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03-04-2012, 03:51 PM #23
Without saying it outright, I think the point he was trying to make was that since it seems to motivate the Ontario players on other teams when they come in to play, why not sign some kids who grew up in the area and cheered for the Leafs as kids? Wouldn't they already be imbued with that sense of passion and pride that we would expect all players to put on the blue and white to have? A good player is a good player, regardless of their origins, but I have to admit, it does irk me that we have none on our team. It makes no sense in a sense. Do I make sense? :)
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03-04-2012, 04:17 PM #24Hockey Advisor
Dipping into the US College ranks to find talent is actually one of the things I think Brian Burke has done a very good job with. Bozak, Hanson, etc - they may not be great players, but they came free, and don't look like total wastes of space when they're on the ice.
Cherry has been upset with Burke (big time) ever since Brian went to CBC and asked them to tell Cherry to tone it down - that he was being too hard on the Leafs, and specifically Wilson.
As for the lack of Ontario players, meh. Get the best guy you can aquire. Where they are from means nothing. As to why they have none? It seems a little odd that they wouldn't have any.... but I would also suggest that players who "grew up watching the leafs" do not necessarily want to play for them when they hit free agency.
When you're 14 and dream of playing for your favorite team, great. When you're 27, make millions of dollars, and can pick your next destination? I think there are a lot of players out there that would tell you that Toronto would be one of the last places they'd want to play. Between 40+ of losing, the inability to go to the grocery store yourself (without being swarmed) and the constant media attention..... I suspect T.O. is something that many players could do without.
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03-04-2012, 06:50 PM #25
Cherry's point, though, was that successful teams have kids from Ontario. He started to talk about Minnesota liking Minnesota kids, but his main point was Ontario kids = success. He listed Vancouver as an example of having Ontario players, not BC players.
What he ended up saying is a team without players from Ontario can't be successful and I completely disagree with that as much as I disagree with saying having no Americans, or BC born or Russian players has any inherent effect.
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Originally Posted by Wickabee 
