“I didn’t know Sedin was Swedish for punch me”-Brian Burke

“Bertuzzi just looks like he plays for the Red Wings cause he is wearing two of their jersey’s all the time”-Brian Burke

I really don’t like that guy…

I HATE Brian Burke. In fact, he’s one of the reasons I hate the Ducks. Among the reasons I hate him is how overrated he is as a GM. Most of the pieces were already in place in Anaheim. All he really did was add Scott Niedermayer - who went there to play with his brother - and Chris Pronger - who just wanted to go to a better climate. Quite frankly, it doesn’t take a genius to realize adding those two guys would help make your team a Cup contender. Burke gets way too much credit for the things he does. If he’s so good, how come he couldn’t do anything but build a team of chokers in Vancouver?

I also agree with Matt on Burke being a goon. It’s no coincidence that Anaheim turned into a goon team after he joined them. Led the league in fighting majors, and it wasn’t even close. He’s a jackass too, and he seems to have a strong dislike of anyone not Canadian with only the occasional exception. I remember in the playoffs some commentators mentioned that Burke told Pahlsson that he played like a Canadian (because of his gritty, checking style). The commentators said Pahlsson should feel complimented. If you ask me, Pahlsson should feel insulted.

Bottom line: Brian Burke is an overrated asshole.

On a less aggressive note, the Red Wings’s official website is finally overhauled!

The entire league dislikes the Wings, so it’s not something that bothers me or is unique to Burke at all. He’s a stand-up guy, and does things his own way. I really don’t like him that much, I just don’t see a reason to be singling him out. When there are guys like Chris Pronger that are better and more worthy targets.

Anaheim IS Burke, so saying “screw Burke” is the same as saying “screw Anaheim.”

I suppose, but it’s not like you’d say “screw you, David Poile” when talking about the Predators’ goon tactics (Tootoo & Co.). I guess it comes with the territory of being a high profile GM to get that target on your back though…

Maybe it is a bit much to try to fit the Ducks into the Avs’ mold, but I don’t think it’s too far off base to predict more animosity between the two teams this season, given how things went in the Finals. Especially given Burke’s apparent dislike of the Wings, a feeling which, if you like his quotes so much, you can’t deny he has.

http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2007/06/burke-deserves-credit-how-ducks-gm.html

I think it’s just going a little far to be trying to manufacture Anaheim into an Avalanche-like rivalry at this point, and billing Burke as evil like you’ve done…I found it interesting that you chose “screw-Burke” rather than “screw Anaheim.” The latter wouldn’t have bothered me, but I’ve always enjoyed reading Burke’s quotes and appreciate his skills as a GM so I was taken aback by that.

Me either. It’d only be worth it in a screw-Burke sort of way. Comrie would have been nice, that’s for sure…

We could pull an Edmonton and try to steal RFA Dustin Penner from Anaheim. Just kidding. Burke has said he’ll match any offer, but I believe they only have a couple million left under the cap, though I’m probably wrong. Holland wouldn’t do that, would he?

Seriously, though, I don’t know who would be best for the Wings, out of those that are still out there. I’m guessing it’ll be someone we don’t expect and know little about. Or no one at all, which wouldn’t be such a bad thing, given the Wings’ young offensive talent.