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Burke asks NHL to look into tampering

Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 12:04 AM EST 11/07/08

Ducks GM suggests Kevin Lowe's statement about Corey Perry constitutes tampering and is asking league to investigate ...Read the full article

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  1. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Waah!

    Next thing, Burkee is gonna threaten to get his dad to beat up Kevin Lowe...

    ROFLMAO!
  2. Tom h from Edmonton, Canada writes: Wow. New low, even for Burke.
  3. Stephen Dedalus from Canada writes: Well, Burke's sure living and let live, isn't he? I was glad that Lowe fired back at Burke, but I think he went a bit far. Some of the comments he made were pretty disrespectful (belittling the Ducks' market, trashing Bobby Ryan, etc.). I guess that happens when you bottle things up for a year.

    Burke's fun, anyway. He can be obnoxious, but he's a pretty smart dude, and he's darn entertaining.
  4. Flat Earth from Canada writes: Burke is such a jerk and an embarrassment to the league. Yo, Leaf Nation, do you really want this guy? Good luck if you do. Bob Cole would be a better GM.
  5. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Two kids in the school yard.... yawn.
  6. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I am getting a bit tired of all these soap operas of the old boys in the NHL...

    Who would be a bigger clown in the Centre of the Universe ?

    Burkee or Krusty ?
  7. Stephen Dedalus from Canada writes: I should also add that I think this is a fairly unclassy move on Burke's part, lest you nuts think I'm a Burke cheerleader, or Burke himself.
  8. Carl Hansen from Canada writes: I think Burke is ready for the funny farm.
  9. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I still think that a cage match between Lowe and Burke is the best way of settling this issue once and for all...

    It would definitely sell out Commonwealth Stadium...
  10. S M from Canada writes: I agree with all the coments above, but the old boys clubs in Edmonton has to go.
    Also it is Lowe SR (Glen Sather) that started all this S**T (Gomez and Drury for 10m).
  11. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Lowes response should be:

    'Burkie...lets count our rings.'

    and/or

    'At least I was good enough to play a few games in the NHL'.

    So much for that cease and desist order. I bet Buttman lets this one slide but will crack the whip if Lowe responds.

    Imagine how terrible it will be when the CBC supplies Burke with all the air time he requests and then the blowhards and fans believe and support all of his verbal diarrhea.
  12. Boca Junior from Canada writes: Well hopefully this is enough to convince Leafs fans that they should want no part of this idiot. At one time I actually believed he might be the right man to turn the Leafs around, but from what I'm reading, they should avoid him at all costs.
  13. duxxgirl95 None from My Town, United States writes: WOO HOO! YOU TELL 'EM BURKE!!

    Sick of Lowe opening his fat trap and letting the crap flow out. He's only accusing Burke of stuff that he (Lowe) has done himself. Wish someone would take him out of the NHL - permanently.

    GO DUCKS!!!
  14. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada:

    You're absolutely right !

    We'll all be begging HNIT to put Krusty's Clown Show back on the air just to get a breather from listening to Burke.
  15. Alexander Slimnich from Canada writes: Burkie, you're doing a heck of a job.
  16. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Stephen Dedalus:

    No worries... We, nuts, will not think that you are Burke himself...

    duxxgirl95 None from My Town, United States is what I would expect Burkie to sound like...

    Cheers
  17. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    Teapot tempest.

    Its mid-July and the league needs to get some ink somewhere.

    But come on now, why should those of us that work for a living care
    about these overpriced feuding schoolboys and their pissing contest ?

    Who else used this midsummer tactic in days gone by ?

    Harold Ballard

    'Nuff sed
  18. Jim McBob from Canada writes: Burke also stood up for Bertuzzi after the Steve Moore incident. Case closed.
  19. Howard Young from Canada writes: Burke's being a typical lawyer, weaseling within the system. Next thing you know Burke is going to sue Lowe for defamation of character in small claims court. Taking things to a new low.
  20. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Boca Junior .... this Leaf fan has never been looking for Burke the saviour.

    Arrogant a hole and not a team player.

    Cliff and the boys talked about a Detroit model.... well Burke doesn't fit the Detroit model. Nuf said.

    Cheers
  21. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Howard Young from Canada writes: Burke's being a typical lawyer, weaseling within the system. Next thing you know Burke is going to sue Lowe for defamation of character in small claims court. Taking things to a new low.
    ---------------------------

    Agreed Howard Young.... but you could have added a smiley face had you typed the last sentence as ' Taking things to a new Lowe'.

    :)

    CHeers
  22. Howard Young from Canada writes: Scot, I completely missed the opportunity for an intentional pun. Good catch. :)
  23. al rain from Calgary, writes: Alexander Slimnich from Canada writes: Burkie, you're doing a heck of a job.
    __________________________

    Nice one, A.S., you win.
  24. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Howard Young from Canada:

    However, I thought the use of the pharse, 'sue for defamation of character in small claims court' more than made up for the missed, 'e.'

    If only to disagree with Loucks -- again.
  25. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Doh...

    The insufferable has found another thread....

    Think I'll go play cards for an hour or so and see if any 'intelligent comment shows up' :)

    Cheers
  26. Ken Jeffries from London, Canada writes: Hey Burke/Lowe ---- lace'em up & let'em fly. Neither of you make any sense with your words, so perhaps your fists should be doing the talking ?
  27. Quellcrist Falconer from Canada writes: Burke has made valid points all along. Lowe's big comeback was nothing more than innuendo and ad hominem attacks.
  28. Howard Young from Canada writes: R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Howard Young from Canada: However, I thought the use of the pharse, 'sue for defamation of character in small claims court' more than made up for the missed, 'e.' If only to disagree with Loucks -- again. ----------------------- Thanks Miller, I was wondering if anyone would notice that somewhat veiled jab.
  29. R. M. from Regina, Canada writes: I knew Burke could not shut up and move on...no way.....this guy's ego has squeezed out any cognitive capacity he might have once had.
  30. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: The use of the word, ad hominem, is one that lawyers like Burke would understand and a hockey player like Lowe may not.

    Lowe could likely have pursued things in a legal manner with respect to Burke's original comments too...

    Great! I smell more soap operas on the way... Legal ones, now.

    We'll have sports stories about salaries caps, lawyers, criminal charges, tampering, etc., etc.

    Who cares what the kids that are actually on the ice will be doing ?
  31. wayne powers from saskatoon, writes: Oh please don't let the Leafs hire this slimeball whiner, as GM. The guy is the Sean Avery of GMs I just remembered he's a lawyer, and he is the kind of guy that could give lawyers a bad name.
  32. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    'nothing more than innuendo and ad hominem attacks.'

    Is Conrad Black in here?
  33. j q from Canada writes: If anyone recalls, 'Burke's Law' didn't last very long as a TV show in the 70's and that should be the same for the Ducks GM. This episode certainly provides evidence that he is sufficiently quack, quack! As well, Lowe should've reacted sooner rather than bottling it all up because what came out was a tad over the top.

    As for the Leafs open GM position, they should seriously consider Jay Feaster or Darcy Regier, should either come on the market.
  34. The Nuts from Canada writes: They should fine Burke... I thought he was told to shut his yappy mouth...what a beatch!!!
  35. Fuzzy Bare from Ontario (Not Toronto), Canada writes: Burke is , beyond a doubt, the right person for Toronto. Just what the fans need to take their focus of the on-ice performance of the Leafs. Burke will fit in very well with the present Leaf management.


    Betteman won't call a penalty (fine) on Burke, Lowe will get one if he retaliates.
  36. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:

    'Is Conrad Black in here ?'

    ROFLMAO!
  37. E Cox from Edmonton, Canada writes: Incredible. He just couldn't let Kevin Lowe have the last word. It was literally killing him for almost an entire week!! Obviously.

    I can't believe he didn't implode!!

    I hope Gary Bettman slaps him with a big fine. Seriously, what is it going to take to get this guy to shut his mouth?????
  38. Bill Weston from Grand Rapids, MI, United States writes: E Cox from Edmonton: Youre spot on with that comment, thats EXACTLY what Burke sounds like.. a pathetic individual who just cant let the other person have the last word about anything. Sounds like a mother in law I used to have many years ago. To paraphrase his quotes from the article: "We intend to comply completely with the leagues directive to shut up but before I do that, I have these last rants to make."

    Consider what Lowe said about Corey Perry, that hes a helluva player and that the Oilers would be glad to have him if the Ducks didnt want him. Sounds like a simple compliment to me.

    Im hardly a Leafs insider but I really dont think they need this guy unless its as a deliberate distraction. Scot Loucks is absolutely right, Burke is not even remotely close to a Ken Holland type GM. Holland is class. He stays behind the scenes for the most part and lets his players be the news. Burke isnt happy unless HE is the news, front and center. He reminds me of a spoiled child demanding attention by jumping up and down screaming 'listen to me, listen to me, pay attention to meee!'
  39. Steve C from Vancouver, Canada writes: From all his public comments made about treatment of his players, and his feud with Kevin Lowe, it appears to me that this man needs some type of anger management (or counselling of some sort).

    He simply comes across as a bitter and petty human being.
  40. Ryan Court from Banff, Canada writes: Lowe has not done anything wrong. Signing a restricted free agent is legal, always has been, always will be. The word restricted still implies access, albeit at a price.

    Everything Burke has said or done since is mind boggling. Bettman can't let him slide on this and maintain any sort of credibility. He fires a salvo (justified or not) after being given a public ultimatum. Is this the actions of a sound manager?
  41. bilbo baggins from Canada writes:
    Fine Burke $ 100,000 and watch him shut up.
  42. Raymond P from Canada writes: Burke should change his name to Barke, get a sense of humour and a clue. Hopefully he does not become Toronto's GM.
  43. J R from Halifax, Canada writes: Hey....shouldn't there be an article about Sundin's pending decision for the 08-09 season somewhere???? It's been a few days now!!!

    On a more serious note...I don't want Burke in TO but am afraid it appears as if that is what is going to happen despite there being other options out there if they do indeed wait a year.
  44. bob miller from Canada writes: If Bettman had any balls he would fine Burk-eee. He and Lowe were told by theleague to cool it but Burk--eee HAD to get in one more shot....and if Bettman doesn't bring the hammer down he's more gutless than previously thought.
  45. Stephen Dedalus from Canada writes: Burke should sign Lowe to an offer sheet.
  46. James M from Canada writes: Personally, I don't see how Bettman can fine either one. Private citizens using the press to insult each other. Then the Commish (show does not pay their salaries) will impose a fine on them without trial. Bettman should realize that as a minimum, this feud gets people talking about hockey in July.
  47. Chris S from Canada writes: Its rather amusing to see the claims flying back and forth about who started the spiralling contract mess in the NHL. If you do a bit of reading, you will see that the signing of restricted free agents was a very hot topic as far back as the late 1980's. St. Louis signed Scott Stevens from Washington, giving up the required 5 first round picks...this contract is widely considered to be one of the first to truly escalate NHL salaries. The kicker was that St. Louis then went on to sign Brendan Shanahan the following season, but now had no first round picks to give up. In a rather nasty battle, St. Louis offered a package of players while New Jersey countered with a compensation request of Scott Stevens. We know how it ended up playing out.

    In terms of contracts, Lowe's offers might have been a bit mean-spirited, but they were certainly within the rules and were certainly not the first time such attempts had been made. And as Lowe pointed out, big contracts were already en vogue for young players to try to combat the lowering of the age at which players could reach unrestricted free agency. As a bright guy, Burke will know all of this. But as an egotistical blowhard, he'll never admit it.
  48. Risto Richards from Tofino, Canada writes: I'm surprised that Burke didn't make fun of Lowe's bad hair.

    What's that? Oh, Burke and Lowe, your moms are calling you home for dinner.
  49. Jasper the Black Lab from Vancouver and Elsewhere, Canada writes: Good to have something entertaining this time of year, I guess.
    Burke is sinking into delusion - so he is ready for Toronto now.
  50. A. MacDonald from Halifax, Canada writes: My interest is in the tampering charges. If it is in fact tampering, under league rules, to express interest in a player on another team when said player is currently under a long-term contract then I think the tampering rules to a bit too far. I can understand it if Lowe made the comment about wanting Perry when Perry was in the last year of a contract, or still un-signed by the Ducks. But Burke's initial comment in whining about having pay Perry "so much" money is essentially saying he doesn't think Perry is worth what he had to give up. Lowe is saying yes he is worth it so if you don't want to pay him that much, we'll be happy to. Burke opened the door for the comment by Lowe. Furthermore, if a GM can't bait a player on another team, it is obviously a preventative measure to keep players from wanting to ditch their current team for another (ie: Pronger ditching Oilers for Ducks); so how about we just completely ban players from asking for trades? Conceptually it accomplishes the same thing.
  51. D G from Canada writes: Poor narcistic Brian Burke. He has to get the last word in, no matter what. Guess what Toronto, you might have him in your city next year. My condolences!
  52. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: MY WEE-WEE IS BIGGER THAN YOURS!!!!

    If he does end up in T.O. this Burkie - it'll be the real deal Sports Entertainment. Can he GM though???
  53. slapdash dapoint from trawna, Canada writes: i guess my last comment was a little too straightforward....

    if burke is for real, i don't know how anyone around him can stomach this garbage.

    i hope he does come to toronto, the americans are being too soft on him. he needs to try this stuff in this city and see how quickly leafs fans will hang him out to dry.

    what a clown.
  54. SY GIL from TO, Canada writes: I don't think the Leafs need this kind of side show. He'll be fighting with King Richard for media attention.
  55. David Parkinson from CalgaryVancouverTorontoLondon, writes: Gary Bettman has to come down hard on this loud-mouth windbag. Enough is enough. Since Burke insisted on having the last word, let him pay for it - $100,000 fine, $250,000 team fine, the loss of a draft pick and $5-million off his salary cap for next season. Maybe then he'll get the message that if he insists on doing damage to the league in order to feed his ego, the league is going to do damage to him and his ego.
  56. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: This guy is morphing into Senator Ted Kennedy. Have another doughnut!

    He is also custom made for Toronto. As I have stated earlier, he will be a full-employment act for reporters, a veritable No Reporter Left Behind program.
  57. Silent Majority from Canada writes: Burke, will you just shut up already.
  58. Matt Ellig from Waterloo, Canada writes: " Silent Majority from Canada writes: Burke, will you just shut up already. "

    Agreed. Well said.
  59. Joe Calgarian from Canada writes: Alexander Slimnich had the funniest post. Sadly I'm sure most people missed the joke.
  60. Joe Calgarian from Canada writes: Burke is a loser. I agree, give him a big 'ol fine for continuing to open his yap and having to have the last word.
  61. Northern Boy from Sudbury, Canada writes: Brian seems to be able to dish it out, but He can't take it in. He must have forgotten that his loud mouth started the back and forth. Tampering for a comment? Sounds like a ridiculous stretch to just about anyone. I highly doubt the NHL will put any resources towards this ridiculous request. If Brian doesn't like it when people say bad things, then maybe he should think before speaking, something he seems to miss doing on a regular basis. Good fodder for news though.
  62. Jake ---- from Canada writes: This is great publicity, for these two teams. Next season the season series between these two teams should be very entertaining. They should just save the trash talk to pre-game press conferences. This will help sell tickets in Anaheim if they market it right.
  63. Neil No more last name from Mississauga, Canada writes: I like Paul I from Rochester NY comment better

    "The veritable No Reporter Left Behind Program"
  64. Tim Cares from Canada writes: Figures. The Leafs wanted this idiot to be their GM.
  65. Canuck No longer an Expat from Canada writes: Burke is really showing his lawyer pedigree with these petty comments and allegations. There are enough obnoxious and weasel lawyers running the league and Burke doesn't need to revert to acting like the rest of his profession does.
  66. Y NOT from Canada writes: This is an open plea to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Please hire this Messiah soon, as the rest of the country needs another reason to shake their heads at this once proud, now pathetic franchise.

    The TO media will have a field day with this blowhard, and the amount of smog free days will be lessoned by at least 25% with all the hot air coming out of the Messiahs mouth.
  67. Wally Grisold from Toronto, Canada writes: Burke in T/O, help, he being a lawyer (hmmm) is a prime selection to run for Parliament, always has his foot in his mouth. A way to shut him up, how about some thick "DUCK" tape.
  68. B.C. Expat from Ottawa-Hull, NCR, Canada writes: Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Lowes response should be:

    'Burkie...lets count our rings.'

    and/or

    'At least I was good enough to play a few games in the NHL'.

    Maybe if he were a teenage poster on an Internet message board, home of the famed "at least" conversations. These points would have absolutely nothing to do with what they're arguing over, however.
  69. St Fort from Victoria, Canada writes: Here's an Idea.

    Let's have a fun raiser and have it televised.

    We could have a mud wrestling match between these two guys. Have them strip down to bikini briefs and go at each other in a mud pit.

    Perhaps Vince MaMahon from the WWF would donate his time to do the play by play. MaMahon could think of some great stage names for these two guys? Any ideas like perhaps Kevin the "Hammer" or Brian the "Body" ??

    Does it sound like a cartoon? I think it would be a fitting end to this soap opera. There would be only loser. As it is now they are both acting like losers.

    It could be a pay for view and the proceeds could go to some charity perhaps a support group for families who are dealing with family members who are mentally ill.
  70. David Gehring from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada writes: So a bombastic slimeball lawyer turned mediocre GM gets into a war of words with a 6-time Stanley Cup champion defenceman turned mediocre GM. Lowe's comments were worse but he has more credibility than Burke. They're only picking out each other's errors because they won't stand up and account for their own mistakes (and they both made plenty over the past year). And Bettman may be publicly warning these guys to shut it, but privately he's wondering how much more money the league can rake in from the summer media attention and potential Oilers-Ducks rivalry this is generating.
  71. Dave Saint from Canada writes: And Bettman may be publicly warning these guys to shut it, but privately he's wondering how much more money the league can rake in from the summer media attention and potential Oilers-Ducks rivalry this is generating.
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Potential rivalry. I don't know about that. This is more like two dads yelling at each other while their kids all play together in the sand box. I doubt it will have any influence on the ice.
  72. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: I though the CBC leaf blowhards would be the ones giving Burke all the air time he requested.

    Seems like the Globe wants to be part of this trend also. Why is this story on the front page of the sports section?
  73. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: St Fort- This is truly a "fun" raiser. The media in Toronto are wetting themselves in anticipation of this hot-air balloon moving to the GTA. The City of Toronto may be able to use this gasbag as a holiday parade float.
  74. lyle craver from Vancouver, BC, writes: Burke has been over the top on the subject of tampering for more than a decade both as Asst GM in Vancouver under Pat Quinn and as GM in Vancouver after returning from a stint in the NHL office.

    Vancouver sports open liner Dan Russell used to try repeatedly to get him to comment on other players and Burke would NEVER respond not even to say "there isn't a player in this league who wouldn't be an asset for the Canucks under the right circumstances"

    He was particularly strict on this subject when major negotiations were going on with the Canucks for example the Mark Messier deal.

    Anyone who knows Burke's history won't be at all surprised about the current contretemps and particularly given the bad blood between the Canucks and the Oilers. Burke has nothing but good to say about Oiler players but given what he's said about Oiler management in the past while in Vancouver, had I not known anything about the controversy and was told Burke was fighting with another team's management I would IMMEDIATELY say "Burkie is fighting with the Oilers again eh?"
  75. Mike Gerald from Cochrane, writes: Are there no lengths Burke won't go to in the name of self promotion?? He is obviously willing to continue to embarass himself and his team at any cost to have his name in the media. What's he going to do next, tell on Kevin Lowe? Oh, he already has. Wah, go cry to the league because Kevin called me a name....what a blowhard.
  76. Old Sam Dark and Dirty from Republic of Newfoundland, Canada writes: S M from Canada writes: I agree with all the coments above, but the old boys clubs in Edmonton has to go.
    Also it is Lowe SR (Glen Sather) that started all this S**T (Gomez and Drury for 10m).

    =============

    Gomez and Drury were UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS.....What Lowe did last year was drive the salaries up for RFA's and the league is going to have problems down the road because of it.
  77. S M from Calgary, Canada writes: Old Sam Dark and Dirty from Republic of Newfoundland, I know what he did but ultimately Sather has to take responsibility for his part in all of this.

    Salaries are out of control, if it continues we are going to lose most of the small market teams during another lock out.
  78. L M87 from Calgary, Canada writes: If you shook Brian Burke's hand and gave it a manly squeeze, Burke would look you in the eyes and squeeze your hand back, just a little bit harder. If you returned the squeeze, here come's Burke again, outsqueezing you and this time showing teeth!
  79. L M87 from Calgary, Canada writes: The problem is not Lowe or Sather. Whether a team allocates funds between UFAs or RFAs is their own decision. The problem is the cap floor!!! Teams must spend money to reach the floor. When you have limited player supply, the price goes up. You also have the phenomena of nonplayoff teams having to pay more.
  80. Mark S from Canada writes: I pray that Burke never goes to Toronto. I'm not a fan of the Leafs, it's just that the rest of Canada already gets force-fed enough Leaf news. With Burke there, he'll be on every sportscast.

    Facts are facts - he did run one team into the ground and inherited a winner... and he doesn't have the spine to do anything but cry fowl to the media.

    Keep screaming your insults from the other side of the playground. Poor baby.

    The league issued a warning - disclaimers or not - Burke just violated it plain and simple. Fine him!!!
  81. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: Burke is simply telling it as it is and defending the cheap shots at his players and his team.
    Burke know his stuff; Bettman should shut up and make me happier.
  82. Link Hogbrow from Canada writes:
    Bettman needed to step in evelyn ... the more publicity this sort of thing gets, the more obvious it becomes that shutting the NHL down to get a salary cap was smoke and mirrors.

    What if the "cap" hits 60,70 80 million ?

    I paraphrase the late Joseph Heller:

    That's some cap that salary cap !
  83. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: How come Bettman hasn't fined Burke for violating his original gag order ?

    The NHL's silence is deafening...
  84. Phil H from Canada writes: P L E A S E don't bring this guy to Toronto!
  85. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: What team did Burke run into the ground?????

    He made Vancouver a profitable and very watchable competitive team.

    He talks business and Lowe just throws out nonsense and insults.

    The Canucks have taken a nose dive since he left.
    An over paid Luongo and no offense. And so far next year looks even worse.

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