Former Leafs GM Brian Burke Takes A Closer Look At The Maple Leafs Upcoming Trade Talks With The Calgary Flames

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Tyler Ball
November 23, 2023 (6:01 PM)

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Today a prominent member of the hockey community Brian Burke gave his take on the Maple Leafs trade talks with the Calgary Flames.

Burke Gives Inside Look At Maple Leafs Negotiation Process

Recently Brian Burke spoke about the Toronto Maple Leafs and the continued rumors that they are pursuing Nikita Zadorov. Burke was asked Brad Treliving's knowledge of and relationship with his former team could help or hurt negotiations.

"You'd like to think you have superior knowledge, it's a team you worked for and you think you know their players. I can still tell you any player I had in Pittsburgh, I can still tell you everything you wanna know about him, if he's still there I can tell you everything you wanna know about him...

I think Connie (Craig Conroy) has the same body of knowledge so you're dealing with two guys with equal knowledge, and Craig Conroy is new at this, but he's a real good guy, he's a real smart guy, and I think he'll do a good job. It gives you an advantage that you both know everything that there is about these players, it might be simpler in some cases to make a fit, rather than thinking you have superior knowledge [over the other GM]"

Burke makes it sound like the knowledge that each general manager has of the players involved could help trade negotiations. It could cut out some sugar coating and selling each other on players.

Burke Cautions The Maple Leafs To Handle Things Correctly

Burke begins by talking about the fit of Zadorov or another defenseman within the Maple Leafs lineup. He recalls that Treliving enjoys having a pecking order for his defensemen.

With this in mind make sure whatever defenseman you acquire fits the need you have.

"The key is getting these defenseman the right seat at the table, it's a phrase that Tre used to use when I was working there. You want everyone at the right seat at the table, so you do have a number one defenseman, you do have a number two defenseman, you do have a number three defenseman, you do have a number four defenseman."

After talking about that aspect of the trade Burke talked about the Maple Leafs' longer-term plans in acquiring Zadorov or other expiring contracts.

"I think they got to make sure they got to sign them both if they're going to pay any kind of meaningful price. You have to have some agreement that they're going to sign or else why bother?"

The Maple Leafs are already facing questions about losing William Nylander to free agency. Adding more players into this equation will only up the pressure on Brad Treliving to complete extensions.

The full interview with Burke can be seen in the link below.