Report: Flames’ Burke publicly slams Leafs

Surprise, surprise! The fiery Irishman isn’t happy with the Toronto media!

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 6 years ago
Report: Flames’ Burke publicly slams Leafs
Keystone Press

Calgary Flames president of hockey operations Brian Burke appeared TSN 1050 radio this morning and, as you might expect, the big man was fired up! Burke took a snide shot at the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Toronto media landscape when it came to discussing the plight of 3rd line center Sam Bennett.

"If he were in Toronto, they would have traded him [Bennett] 70 times, shot him six times, condemned his parents four times," Burke said. "Sam has had a tough start. We really think the world of this young man and he's going to be fine.”

How’s that for a juicy quote? Bennett is struggling this season with only one point through his first 16 games. This after a disappointing 13 goal, 26 point campaign in 2016-17. The Flames have been patient with the former 4th overall draft pick, but he HAS to start filling the net with regularity.

As for Burke, the Flames boss was of course GM of the Leafs from 2008-2013, so his familiarity with the Toronto media comes from first-hand experience. According to Burke:

"The problem [in Toronto] is there's a 100 people in the dressing room after practice and when the team loses, 80 of them are picking up the biggest rock they can find. That's the problem here. There's actually a significant chunk of the media that want you to fail. We don't have that in Calgary. We don't have that in Edmonton. It's a different vibe, it's a different tone."

That’s tough to argue. Burkey isn’t always right about everything, but we think he’s got a point here. What do you think, Leafs fans? Just sour grapes?

Source: TSN 1050