Kukla's Korner Hockey

Burke Goes Shopping For Deals
by Paul on 02/15/11 at 11:03 AM ET
Comments (3)
from Damien Cox of the Toronto Star,
Everyone happy now?
Of course not. The fact the Maple Leafs now own a 2011 first-round draft pick might please some, but others will moan that it’s not the right first-round pick.
It’s also not what Brian Burke really wanted.
Yes, Kris Versteeg did fetch a first and a third from a Philadelphia club eying the Stanley Cup, but Burke would rather have received a player than the first rounder.
It’s pretty clear he wanted lanky centre James Van Riemsdyk, but the Flyers wouldn’t do the deal. Weeks ago, Burke might have hoped he could pry pivot David Booth out of Florida for Versteeg, but the Panthers didn’t want to do that. So he settled for a low first, lower than what Ottawa got for Mike Fisher from Nashville, which makes sense given that Fisher is the better player.
Filed in: NHL Teams, Philadelphia Flyers, Toronto Maple Leafs, | KK Hockey | Permalink
Tags: kris+versteeg
Comments

About as long as Versteeg has been an impact player… lol
But seriously, I am pleased with this trade. Versteeg’s attitude is what got him traded, he conducted himself in a manner that made this an easy move for Burke. He wasn’t interested in being a part of a rebuild - his actions clearly showed that and I am too sure there are many players in the room not sad to see him go. I know as a fan I am very happy that he is not around. Low 1st, better than nothing Also would rather have the pick over JvR… not that he is not good, but he;s not going to make things any better.
Posted by WingMan from The Q C on 02/15/11 at 12:26 PM ET

How does he know the Flyers 1st rounder is lower than Nashville’s? We won’t know for sure until the playoffs are done.
Posted by CMo44 on 02/15/11 at 02:53 PM ET
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Paul Kukla founded Kukla’s Korner in 2005 and the site has since become the must-read site on the ‘net for all the latest happenings around the NHL.
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Since when has JvR been a centre?
Posted by BigE on 02/15/11 at 11:14 AM ET