He Got Me Again

I was listening to the "State of The Buds...Brian Burke" press conference while I drove back to St. Catharines today.  Now right up front..I never have and never will agree with the Phil Kessel trade but today Burke explained it.  And this is where he gets me.  The way he laid it out...it all made sense and I bought into it.

I like Brian Burke.  I like the way he talks.  I like his honesty.  I like that he admits to his mistakes.  He's not afraid to admit he's wrong.  He said something else that won me over today. He saId he encourages his players to speak to the media. Here's why. There are 19 thousand people at a typical Leaf game but he depends on the players and the media to get the message across to the rest of the GTA. 

Burke also has an understanding of media.  He knows and admits that the media has every right to question his moves.  That's what the media is supposed to do.  He understands debate and he understands the real meaning of arguing.  Arguing shouldn't have to be a negative. It should be opposing views looking for some kind of common ground. 

Too many people involved in sports...players...coaches...managers...owners...take offence when their decisions are challenged.  They hide..they never tell you the real deal on anything.  Buit I  think Burke gets it.  It's our money and our time that we give to his hockey team and we have the right to get straight answers to our questions. 

I thought he handled today's press conference beautifully.  I'm sure he didn't tell us everything but I'm willing to bet that the boss of all things "Big Blue"...was honest with what he did have to say.  Did he over estimate how good the Leafs would be this season?....yes.  Was the Kessel trade a bad one?...we don't know...not yet.  He said he didn't care how the Pittsburg's...the Washington's...the Chicago's...went from real bad to real good,,,.that's not the way he intends to do it.  He knows his reputation and his job is on the line but he's willing to take that chance that his way is the right way. 

Brian Burke is the most refreshing thing that's happened to this franchise in years.  Is he right?  I don't know.  Will it work?  No idea.  But I'm enjoying the ride with this guy.

After the presser was over today I was thinking about the things he talked about....and then said to myself...."damn"...he got  me again. He's very good at that....maybe too good.