Issue #62 – Thank You Burke
“Basically if you can watch 50 guys skating around a rink and you can pick who can play, you can be a GM in this league” – Glen Sather
Earlier in the season I predicted that if Vancouver had any shot in the post-season they would need at least one 90+ point performer. I also predicted that that performer would be Henrik. Lo-and-behold, I looked at the scoring leaders this morning and there sits Hank, two points back of Ovechkin with 95 tallies.
That’s impressive. (Not to mention, Henrik is having a stellar year too.)
It takes me back to the draft of 1999 (in GM Place) when Brian Burke pulled off the “Sedin Miracle” and took the ginger pair 2nd and 3rd respectively. Looking back it was a skilled move by an up-and-coming GM who has been the most prominent front-office tactician in the NHL this past decade.
Vancouver let him go, but Gillis managed to convince the twins to stick around.
When I heard that Brian Burke’s son was been killed a few months back I felt terrible for the guy. Paired with the defeat of his Team USA last month at the hands of Team Canada (in GM Place no less) it has not been a good couple months for the Boston born blowhard. But that doesn’t take away from the debt Vancouver fans still owe the man.
So Thanks Brian Burke, we owe you.
If Henrik Sedin is hoisting a Conn Smyth Trophy along with a Stanley Cup this spring it will be, in part, owing to the genius of Brian.
Next Up — Edmonton