Brian Burke's 3 biggest mistakes in 2011-2012

With the Maple Leafs tanking in early February and missing the playoffs yet again, one must wonder what went wrong. Here are 3 considerations:

A) Gustavsson - He was horrid during his heart surgery filled 2010-2011 season, so it was risky to assume he could make a full recovery AND become a better goalie. He's 27 and is done in Toronto, however he is already one year past expiry date in this town.

As it was clear Reimer was gonna be the top dog, he need a mentor that could both challenge and guide him.

B) Not BeLeafing - Excepting the Monster who had little or nothing to do with the successful 2nd half the Leafs enjoyed in 2010, it pained me to see Boyce, Crabb and Kadri sent to the Marlies when they all played so well and had winning records with the Leafs.

They were replace by Steckel, Dupuis and Lombardi, and though one imagines the youngsters may have hit the wall even sooner then the vets did, Ottawa provides an example of what can happen when you decide to move forward with the youth that are playing well.

C) Liles contract - When John-Michael was out with a concussion, Burke signed him to a 4 year deal at $3.9 mil per season, more than Schenn makes at $3.6 mil per. Now, Liles is a good player but he is getting up there in years and was out with a concussion. Why not let him take as long as he wanted to come back, and then see how he plays before giving him such a generous longterm deal. The Leafs would have risked losing him as an UFA at season's end, however the price seemed way too high for a player obtained for a 4th round draft pick.

Three years at 3 mil would have been so much better, however he is here to stay now so let's hope he fully recovers in the offseason, as the he may have came back too soon.



Now, if you are getting the idea that I am a Burke hater you are dead wrong, as I can name seven or eight bright moves that match up well against these three. I am getting ready to watch the Marlies playoff run, and will also shortly post a List of Ten Reasons why the Maple Leafs will have the biggest rise of any team next season.