Burke decries the death of the NHL fighter

[Cat Smasher]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...rticle2292536/ Audio at the bottom.

Brian Burke demoted his fighter, Colton Orr, to the minors on Thursday, but the Toronto Maple Leafs GM didn't like it one bit.

And Burke believes that pushing all of the heavyweights out of the NHL would be a mistake.

"I do wonder where our game is going," Burke said. "I know the Greenpeace folks will be happy with this, but I wonder where we're going when Brendan Shanahan's got six hearings every two days.

"You see the garbage that happened in here the other night [with Steve Downie going after Dion Phaneuf] and I wonder about the accountability in our game. I wonder where we're going with it. That's the only lament I have on this. The fear that if we don't have guys looking after each other than the rats will take this game over. That's my fear.

"I see guys that run around and start stuff and won't back it up and it makes me sick to my stomach."

...

"My admiration for this kid just knows no limits," Burke said. "This is a wonderful young man... We've got to get him back to the Marlies and get him playing. Try to get his game back and see where he can maybe help us later in the season."

Simple solution to that running around comment, should have just dressed the guy.

[ChiefJunior]

He is right though. Even if Orr was dressed, and did something about it, what about the majority of other teams?

This league is becoming depressing. Not only because of the lack of fights, but hits and excitement are gone. I'd rather watch my son play than an NHL game.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by ChiefJunior

He is right though. Even if Orr was dressed, and did something about it, what about the majority of other teams?

This league is becoming depressing. Not only because of the lack of fights, but hits and excitement are gone. I'd rather watch my son play than an NHL game.

Yes he is right to an extent, but if that's his main concern he can do something about it instead of being a sheep, try to change it, via Boston, Anaheim, Calgary, LA, Nashville, Ottawa, and whoever else dressed a heavy mainly. Orr is not a liability.

[ChiefJunior]

I agree he is not a liability. However when 2/3rds of the NHL does not dress a guy who's main purpose is to fight, he becomes obsolete.

This seems to be the new reality, more so now, than ever before.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by ChiefJunior

I agree he is not a liability. However when 2/3rds of the NHL does not dress a guy who's main purpose is to fight, he becomes obsolete.

This seems to be the new reality, more so now, than ever.

Absolutely, but don't have to like it. Leafs TV subscription was cancelled weeks ago. And yes I like the game of hockey, if a game doesn't have a fight it can still be good, but I don't like the product on the ice we are sporting.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

A Leafs fan whining about what went on the other night (with Downie and the Lightning) has some merit to it. There's nothing that fan can do from his livingroom about Steve Downie running around.

Why the f *ck is the general manager of the team echoing those statements though? What the f*ck? The only reason Downie was running around is because he knew there was nobody in the Toronto lineup to stop him.

If Burke is "wondering where the game is going" why doesn't he just ask his bullsh1t coach who refuses to address the extreme case of vaginitis we're suffering from?

F*ck you Burke.

[Killah_punk]

Good presser by Burke.

[pmcginty]

I agree that 2/3 of the league- maybe more- don't dress a guy whose sole role is to fight, but every team dresses a plug who could easily be replaced by an enforcer. like smasher said, if burke has a problem with the way things are going, he has the power to be a part of the solution instead of the problem. chiarelli should give a clinic.

[ChiefJunior]

Originally Posted by Cat Smasher

Absolutely, but don't have to like it. Leafs TV subscription was cancelled weeks ago. And yes I like the game of hockey, if a game doesn't have a fight it can still be good, but I don't like the product on the ice we are sporting.

Yes, I love hockey, I watch loads of hockey every week. But I watch Peewee, Atom , Bantam etc.. There is no fighting, but these kids give all they can, and the hitting is pretty damn good.

The NHL, sure I can go without a fight, but most teams hardly hit now. It is a boring game to watch.

[ChiefJunior]

Originally Posted by pmcginty

I agree that 2/3 of the league- maybe more- don't dress a guy whose sole role is to fight, but every team dresses a plug who could easily be replaced by an enforcer. like smasher said, if burke has a problem with the way things are going, he has the power to be a part of the solution instead of the problem. chiarelli should give a clinic.

Don't I know it. My team is MTL and the 3rd and 4th lines for most part are a joke. But this is what most teams prefer. Plugs that can skate up and down in a straight line, instead of someone who may, god forbid, hit or fight or get a penalty.

[bigjack]

I have little regard for the non-impact on the game almost staged fight between two guys who can't play for more than 2-3 minutes a game.
However:
I also have little regard for a league that won't allow the players to police the ice like 40 years ago. The players should be allowed to police itself on the ice. Get rid of all the damn rules and allow physical hockey players like a Prust to take care of business.
Get rid of the 3rd man in rule.
Get rid of the instigator rule.
Continue to heavily penalize for head shots or cheapshots or knee on knee hits.
Allow the players to police themselves and alot of the crap would stop.
Go back to 1971 and before rules!
We would see fights when they are required by players who can play and take a regular shift.
That is hockey.
Not some moron goon with a meaningless fight and not a league where you can't go after a jerk and kick his ass when they deserve to get a beating for some cheap play!

[caps87]

And yet Orr is with the Marlies. Burke's a f*ckin hypocrite.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by caps87

And yet Orr is with the Marlies. Burke's a f*ckin hypocrite.

Burke isn't the coach. At least Burke is doing the next best thing by sending him down and letting him PLAY. This may be an echo, but Ron Wilson needs to go. Can't wait to see Mark Stuart, Chris Thorburn, Patrice Cormier, etc go after the Leafs tonight with no one to respond because Wilson is too thick-skulled and has nothing but $$$ flashing before his eyes because of the new contract.

[kam]

What a chicken ****. You want to stop “rats” like Downie? Dress Orr, it’s that ****ing simple. I want just one coach and GM to grow a pair and let his enforcers enforce and say “**** it, I don’t care if you get an instigator, go get that mother****er and let him know how it’s going to be tonight.” If one team starts doing it I’ll bet my left nut that others will follow and this cheap shot **** that is producing all these suspensions will dwindle considerably.

[I_am_Belak_2]

Originally Posted by kam

What a chicken ****. You want to stop “rats” like Downie? Dress Orr, it’s that ****ing simple. I want just one coach and GM to grow a pair and let his enforcers enforce and say “**** it, I don’t care if you get an instigator, go get that mother****er and let him know how it’s going to be tonight.” If one team starts doing it I’ll bet my left nut that others will follow and this cheap shot **** that is producing all these suspensions will dwindle considerably.

Sigh. I'm not mentioning it again.