TSN's Dave Hodge sounds off on all the hockey issues of the day in a segment this season called Hodgemail. Write in to answer Dave's weekly question and watch the NHL on TSN to see if he reads your response.
When Brian Burke was introduced as President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs last year, there were great expectations for the Stanley Cup-winning executive to turn things around in hockey-mad Toronto.
Almost a year later - in Burke's first full campaign with the team - the Leafs are 19 games into the season and have just three wins. Going into tonight's game against the Hurricanes (TSN, 7pm et/4pm pt), the club is on a four-game losing streak and sits 29th out of 30 teams in the NHL.
Burke's off-season acquisitions have certainly added 'pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence' and rebuilding a franchise can take time. But at this stage of the season, other elements - like defence and goaltending - have simply not been good enough to compete for the playoffs. It's been a challenging season to say the least.
Here was Dave's question to you: "What should Brian Burke do to fix the Toronto Maple Leafs?"
And here are the answers that Dave liked best:
"Burke should build a time machine and re-think the Phil Kessel trade." - Alex, Stellarton, NS
"He has to get a No. 1 goalie—he should go after J-S Giguere in Anaheim…..whatever it takes." - Geoffrey, Calgary
"Send Schenn to the minors to restore his confidence; get Kaberle to waive his no-trade clause; buy out Blake whenever possible; bring up the kids—Hanson, Stalberg and Bozak." - Simon, Whitby, ON
"There's nothing to fix. The Leafs sell out every game and make more money than any other NHL team. When people stop supporting them, then they'll have something to fix." - Fred
"Peter Pocklington said in his book that the Oilers and Leafs almost traded cities in the '80s—does the offer still stand?" - Angelo
"Move the veterans for picks. Bye bye Poni, bye bye Blakey, bye bye Stajan…use those picks to replace the ones lost in the Kessel trade and continue to build for the future. Gutsy move getting Kessel, it's not every day a player like that becomes available." - Blair
"At this point I think about the only thing that Brian can do to turn around the Leafs is a human sacrifice to appease the ghost of Harold Ballard..." - Garry MacLeod, Cedar, BC
"Wait it out, build from the draft. It helps to have good picks though. "Fixing" a team doesn't happen in one year or two, it just takes time. That's why GMs sign long-term contracts." - Steve, Pembroke ON
"First and the most important, he needs to get rid of the PASSENGERS on this team. There are far too many players who skate around like they are at Nathan Phillips Square." - Nick
"The next move for Burke is he's going to have to move Kaberle, while his value is at its highest (as it is now), and attempt to, either get back into the draft at a reasonable position (1st round) or receive a prospect or two in return." - Dan Sutin, Toronto
"There is one feasible solution to solving the Leafs woes: Reincarnate Albert Einstein; he seems like a suitable candidate to build a time machine." - Derek Cimolini, Fernie, BC
"He should stop trading away 1st round draft picks. Just look at Pittsburgh." - Mike
"Absolutely nothing, here in Ottawa we love what's he's doing to the Leafs." - Allan Gobey, Ottawa
"Burke should keep true to his word and send the underachieving veteran players down to the farm and give the kids a shot. The Leafs need a shot of youth and adrenaline to get some jump into their game." - Chad Godin, North Bay, ON
"Patience, draft, draft, draft." - Kevin Mills, Kingston, ON
And Dave's Reply To All:
Well, the most impressive part of Brian Burke's resume is his ability to make things happen. He does the trades and signs the free agents and swings the draft deals that others couldn't pull off or wouldn't even try.
That's why the Leafs' current situation must frustrate him so much, because there's really nothing he can do to fix it. I can't think of a trade that would help. The roster could become younger, but the kids are better off with the Marlies right now. Free agents are off in the distance. The coach isn't going anywhere, and even if you don't like Ron Wilson, you can't seriously recommend his firing.
So...what should Brian Burke do to fix the Leafs? He should wait and hope they get better.