Bryan Burke: 'I would not draft Kessel first overall'

[McDonald19]

Brian Burke: Drafted Bobby Ryan ahead of Jack Johnson, Gilbert Brule and other far superior prospects.

Brian Burke: Traded Sergei Federov for Tyler Wright and Francis Beauchemin

Brian Burke: Would rather have Toews or Johnson than Kessel

Does anybody else see a pattern here? Right, and Mike Milbury's the stupid one

1) His scouts picked Ryan and he went with it, he had just been hired by the Ducks so he was not going to step on anyones toes. He was impressed with Ryan as a person when he interviewed him thats all he knew about him. The scouts picked him. Secondly In the long run if Ryan reaches his potential as a first line powerforward he will be a more rare commodity than a Johnson or especially a undersized Brule.

2) So far so good with that trade. Beauchemin is a young top 4 d-man who hits, fights, and puts points on the board. Fedorov is more or less done as a top flight player and his salary is off the Ducks books.

3) Kessel is a great talent but Toews or Johnson may be safer picks. The Ducks will not be drafting top 5 so it does not really matter what he says in an interview right now.

so far Burke has done a good job with what he has been given. He is a top 10 GM in the league. Milbury is the worst GM in the league.

 

[Le Golie]

It should be noted that both Burke and Bob MacKenzie have both acknowledged that SCOUTS are saying that Kessel is not the concensus top guy anymore.

That's worth a million times what other people think. Especially considering that Kessel is a guy that shines in the eyes of amatuer hockey watchers. His strengths are so obvious they jump off the page, but his weaknesses take a trained eye to recognize. Toews is the opposite, where amatuers don't see such prolific strengths, and they don't appreciate all the subtly amazing things that he does.

That is so true when you hear people around these boards saying that Toews hasn't done anything so far this tournament. In reality, he has done a lot of things that are making scouts fall in love with him.

 

[Misos Milakos*]

It should be noted that both Burke and Bob MacKenzie have both acknowledged that SCOUTS are saying that Kessel is not the concensus top guy anymore.

That's worth a million times what other people think. Especially considering that Kessel is a guy that shines in the eyes of amatuer hockey watchers. His strengths are so obvious they jump off the page, but his weaknesses take a trained eye to recognize. Toews is the opposite, where amatuers don't see such prolific strengths, and they don't appreciate all the subtly amazing things that he does.

That is so true when you hear people around these boards saying that Toews hasn't done anything so far this tournament. In reality, he has done a lot of things that are making scouts fall in love with him.

Bang on. Toews is the more complete player, and likely will be for many years, where as Kessel has more flash. Toews will be more of a impact than just on the scoresheet where Kessel beats him and it's about the only place he beats him. who ever ends up with Toews come draft day will be fortunate to get an excellent franchise player who has it all.

 

[VOB]

Prior to the start of the WJC, I posted that if Kessel dominates this tourney, he would be the runaway number one pick but if not...the field would be wide open.

Kessel has not as of yet shown anything special. He was a non-factor against Canada and continues to show that he has a difficult time adapting to tight checking games.

After watching Kessel play several times this season (albeit not live) and several times last season (live on more than a couple of occasions) his rate of progression is not where it should be.

It does not surprise me that the scouts are saying he is not the consensus number one player.

What we all have to remember is that he may yet be! There are still some very important games to be played and Kessel does possess the innate talent to rise up to the challenge and show his true quality.

 

[Bandwagoner]

He even said that at the draft, so I don't know why people are sticking to it. He said he trusts his scouting staff, and liked the impression he got of Ryan in an interview, so he chose the Anaheim scouts' pick.

Speaking of that interview... didn't he say that Ryan was the best interview he's ever had in all his time as a GM???

 

[Old Hickory]

Johnson and Brule are not far superior to Ryan. They might be better, but not superior. As it is, Ryan is tearing up the OHL, so that pick actually looks pretty good. Ryan could easily end up being better than both.

As for the Fedorov trade, check the stats. Tyler Wright might not have more points as a Duck than Fedorov does as a Blue Jacket, but the other two do, and Beauchemin is a defenseman(I'm considering Marchant as part of the trade, as he would've been if not for McLean not informing him where he was going). All three also have more goals each than Fedorov does. And then when you consider those three combined make $2 million less than Fedorov does, and I'd say Burkie ripped McLean off big time.

As for Toews and Johnson over Kessell, I disagree, but others don't. I could easily see one of those two go over him, as could many others.

1 Detroit 	38 	26 	9 	3 	55 	145 	100 	25.1 	84.9 	13-5-1 	13-4-2 	8-1-1
2 Los Angeles 	41 	25 	14 	2 	52 	144 	121 	15.4 	80.7 	13-6-0 	12-8-2 	7-2-1
3 Calgary 	40 	24 	12 	4 	52 	108 	102 	17.4 	81.4 	15-4-2 	9-8-2 	7-3-0
4 Nashville 	37 	24 	10 	3 	51 	120 	107 	18.5 	85.1 	16-4-0 	8-6-3 	6-4-0
5 Dallas 	37 	24 	12 	1 	49 	124 	99 	16.5 	85.7 	11-8-1 	13-4-0 	5-5-0
6 Edmonton 	40 	22 	14 	4 	48 	133 	127 	19.4 	82.3 	10-6-2 	12-8-2 	6-3-1
7 Vancouver 	38 	21 	12 	5 	47 	129 	120 	18.6 	81.7 	14-3-3 	7-9-2 	4-3-3
8 Colorado 	40 	20 	17 	3 	43 	149 	137 	20.0 	84.3 	10-6-3 	10-11-0 	4-6-0
9 Phoenix 	40 	20 	18 	2 	42 	117 	117 	19.0 	80.6 	11-8-1 	9-10-1 	4-6-0
10 [B]Anaheim 	39 	18 	15 	6 	42 	112 	108 	14.9 	83.4 	13-6-3 	5-9-3 	6-3-1[/B]

 

[Burke's Evil Spirit]

Brian Burke does not draft by team need, as was made abundantly clear during his tenure in Vancouver. Additionally, he always goes with the list his scouts put together.

 

[Transported Upstater]

Speaking of that interview... didn't he say that Ryan was the best interview he's ever had in all his time as a GM???

I believe so.

 

[Transported Upstater]

1 Detroit 	38 	26 	9 	3 	55 	145 	100 	25.1 	84.9 	13-5-1 	13-4-2 	8-1-1
2 Los Angeles 	41 	25 	14 	2 	52 	144 	121 	15.4 	80.7 	13-6-0 	12-8-2 	7-2-1
3 Calgary 	40 	24 	12 	4 	52 	108 	102 	17.4 	81.4 	15-4-2 	9-8-2 	7-3-0
4 Nashville 	37 	24 	10 	3 	51 	120 	107 	18.5 	85.1 	16-4-0 	8-6-3 	6-4-0
5 Dallas 	37 	24 	12 	1 	49 	124 	99 	16.5 	85.7 	11-8-1 	13-4-0 	5-5-0
6 Edmonton 	40 	22 	14 	4 	48 	133 	127 	19.4 	82.3 	10-6-2 	12-8-2 	6-3-1
7 Vancouver 	38 	21 	12 	5 	47 	129 	120 	18.6 	81.7 	14-3-3 	7-9-2 	4-3-3
8 Colorado 	40 	20 	17 	3 	43 	149 	137 	20.0 	84.3 	10-6-3 	10-11-0 	4-6-0
9 Phoenix 	40 	20 	18 	2 	42 	117 	117 	19.0 	80.6 	11-8-1 	9-10-1 	4-6-0
10 [B]Anaheim 	39 	18 	15 	6 	42 	112 	108 	14.9 	83.4 	13-6-3 	5-9-3 	6-3-1[/B]

Forgive us for taking your opinion with a grain of salt, as it appears you are very objective towards Anaheim in every respect.

 

[Old Hickory]

Forgive us for taking your opinion with a grain of salt, as it appears you are very objective towards Anaheim in every respect.

It all comes down to brass tax and Anaheim is a tenth place team.

What do you know of my objectivity or lack of it? I happen to live very close to Anaheim, I have a few friends that work for the Ducks and my best friend is a Duck fan.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

That's the way I am beginning to lean too. After seeing Johnson, I would definitely look at him long and hard with a number one pick. Kessel is still very, very hard to pass on - but Toews is a really fine player himself. I'd be torn between Kessel and Toews for 2nd overall. Thank God the draft is months away and there is a ton of time for either of them to jump out as the true top prospect in the draft class.

I know you're a solid poster here and don't want to come off as a dick to you, but how in the world can you possibly justify taking Toews over Kessel? I see Toews play a lot in college. I don't know if you have the liberty of that, but if you actually DO see him play outside of the WJCs, I think you'd be quite quickly changing that opinion. Yes, Toews is a fine prospect and will be a great NHLer, but he is not even close to the level that Phil Kessel is. He's on the Mueller/Frolik level.

 

[Transported Upstater]

It all comes down to brass tax and Anaheim is a tenth place team.

What do you know of my objectivity or lack of it? I happen to live very close to Anaheim, I have a few friends that work for the Ducks and my best friend is a Duck fan.

But what does posting their record accomplish?

They ARE a crappy team this year, but how is that relevant?

I could be missing something as well, so tell me if I'm wrong if it was mentioned...

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Bang on. Toews is the more complete player, and likely will be for many years, where as Kessel has more flash. Toews will be more of a impact than just on the scoresheet where Kessel beats him and it's about the only place he beats him. who ever ends up with Toews come draft day will be fortunate to get an excellent franchise player who has it all.

You're talking like Toews is like Mike Peca or something here.

He's not. He has a decent defensive game but he isn't some two-way specialist like you are making him out to be...

Jeeze, Kessel was overrated last year but there is some serious Toews love fest this year. I think Toews is a great #2/3/4 pick but he is no #1.

 

[Transported Upstater]

I know you're a solid poster here and don't want to come off as a dick to you, but how in the world can you possibly justify taking Toews over Kessel? I see Toews play a lot in college. I don't know if you have the liberty of that, but if you actually DO see him play outside of the WJCs, I think you'd be quite quickly changing that opinion. Yes, Toews is a fine prospect and will be a great NHLer, but he is not even close to the level that Phil Kessel is. He's on the Mueller/Frolik level.

I think (and do not agree) that many people in Toews' corner believe him to be a "safer" pick than Kessel, in the way he plays a lower-risk game and is more well-rounded.

I am a big Toews fan, but Kessel has phenom potential, and has a better chance of realizing it (if he's patient with his development) than people realize.

 

[Vic Rattlehead*]

1 Detroit 	38 	26 	9 	3 	55 	145 	100 	25.1 	84.9 	13-5-1 	13-4-2 	8-1-1
2 Los Angeles 	41 	25 	14 	2 	52 	144 	121 	15.4 	80.7 	13-6-0 	12-8-2 	7-2-1
3 Calgary 	40 	24 	12 	4 	52 	108 	102 	17.4 	81.4 	15-4-2 	9-8-2 	7-3-0
4 Nashville 	37 	24 	10 	3 	51 	120 	107 	18.5 	85.1 	16-4-0 	8-6-3 	6-4-0
5 Dallas 	37 	24 	12 	1 	49 	124 	99 	16.5 	85.7 	11-8-1 	13-4-0 	5-5-0
6 Edmonton 	40 	22 	14 	4 	48 	133 	127 	19.4 	82.3 	10-6-2 	12-8-2 	6-3-1
7 Vancouver 	38 	21 	12 	5 	47 	129 	120 	18.6 	81.7 	14-3-3 	7-9-2 	4-3-3
8 Colorado 	40 	20 	17 	3 	43 	149 	137 	20.0 	84.3 	10-6-3 	10-11-0 	4-6-0
9 Phoenix 	40 	20 	18 	2 	42 	117 	117 	19.0 	80.6 	11-8-1 	9-10-1 	4-6-0
10 [B]Anaheim 	39 	18 	15 	6 	42 	112 	108 	14.9 	83.4 	13-6-3 	5-9-3 	6-3-1[/B]

What does that have to do with Phil Kessel?

 

[McDonald19]

It all comes down to brass tax and Anaheim is a tenth place team.

What do you know of my objectivity or lack of it? I happen to live very close to Anaheim, I have a few friends that work for the Ducks and my best friend is a Duck fan.

The Ducks have a decent shot at the 7th or 8th playoff spot this season.

whats your point exactly?

what does this have to do with Burke saying he would not take Kessel #1 overall?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

I think (and do not agree) that many people in Toews' corner believe him to be a "safer" pick than Kessel, in the way he plays a lower-risk game and is more well-rounded.

I am a big Toews fan, but Kessel has phenom potential, and has a better chance of realizing it (if he's patient with his development) than people realize.

I really like Toews also (I had him #2 earlier in the year and got pretty blasted for it by the Frolik contingent) and think he's going to be a very solid NHLer. But he's just not "special". He's a solid prospect, but he's something you see every year. He is a safe player like Eric Staal was (even though I think he doesn't have as much upside as Staal does) in his draft and will probably be a solid point scorer in the NHL. But people on this board are making him sound like some world beater with Peca or Forsberg like qualities -- something he HARDLY possesses.

Man, Kessel has become resident whipping boy for not scoring as much this year while Toews has become one of the most overrated prospects I've seen.

 

[Sammy*]

Brian Burke: Drafted Bobby Ryan ahead of Jack Johnson, Gilbert Brule and other far superior prospects.

Brian Burke: Traded Sergei Federov for Tyler Wright and Francis Beauchemin

Brian Burke: Would rather have Toews or Johnson than Kessel

Does anybody else see a pattern here? Right, and Mike Milbury's the stupid one

a) a little early to tell
b) you do understand in the NHL, they do trade contracts, dont you? Btw, Feddy' got like 1 goal
3) is hardly an outrageos comment

Does anybody else see a pattern here? Right, and Brian Burkes the stupid one

 

[The Kingslayer]

I'm not questioning his sincerity, but a GM who tells anyone outside his organization exactly what's he is thinking is an idiot. We don't really know what Burke would do imo, just that he continues to be hockey's best soundbite.

LOL, just like Sonny Corleone discussing his feelings to parties outside The Family.

 

[Shane]

You have to remember this is the guy that picked Bobby Ryan 2nd.

Only at the reccomendation of his scouts.

 

[Hunter Gathers]

The race to #1 right now is pretty much a two horse race. And Toews isn't one of them. It's pretty much down to Kessel vs Johnson for the #1 slot. This is only the half season mark pretty much, but that's the way it should be right now. The #3 - 5 spots seem to be filled (in any order) with Mueller, Frolik, and Toews.

 

[Old Hickory]

But what does posting their record accomplish?

They ARE a crappy team this year, but how is that relevant?

I could be missing something as well, so tell me if I'm wrong if it was mentioned...

Ok, so first you attack my objectivity, now you actually want to address the post? Why couldn't you do this the first time?

They are a crappy team, Burke in his arrogance traded all their scoring away for enforcers and now they are paying the price.

Burke has never been a good GM and he never will be. He is a media darling and nothing but that. Why trust the opinion of a less than successful GM?

 

[Hunter Gathers]

Ok, so first you attack my objectivity, now you actually want to address the post? Why couldn't you do this the first time?

They are a crappy team, Burke in his arrogance traded all their scoring away for enforcers and now they are paying the price.

Burke has never been a good GM and he never will be. He is a media darling and nothing but that. Why trust the opinion of a less than successful GM?

The Kings aren't exactly the epitome of success, either there buddy.

 

[Old Hickory]

The Kings aren't exactly the epitome of success, either there buddy.

What does that have to do with Brian Burke?

And you might want to check the standings again.

 

[McDonald19]

Ok, so first you attack my objectivity, now you actually want to address the post? Why couldn't you do this the first time?

They are a crappy team, Burke in his arrogance traded all their scoring away for enforcers and now they are paying the price.

They are a borderline playoff team. They are not a crappy team.

At this point you are just trolling. We get it you hate the Ducks and love the Kings more that life itself. Thats great now move on. This is a thread discussing Kessels status as possibly not going #1 in the draft.

He traded Rucchin to get under the salary cap and he happened to get Gillies as a throw in to protect his prospects at the AHL level, that was it. He traded a waiver eligible d-man prospect in Popovic for an enforcer in Brennan. Not the end of the world.

To say he traded all their scorers for enforcers is simply not true.