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CANUCKS HOCKEY BLOG

Friday, May 12, 2006

Nothing Ducky

In yesterday's Cam Cole piece, Brian Burke said:

"I love Canada, I loved being a GM there, I love the atmosphere and how much people care," said the former Canucks boss, "but I'll tell you what: if you're a GM in Canada, you can forget having a five-year plan. The only plan the fans and media there are interested in is the RFN plan."

He didn't elaborate, but there was no need. RFN? Right F---ing Now.
However, fans and media of Burke's new team, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, wouldn't know anything about the five-year plan. In Burke's first year as the top Duck, they have advanced to the Western Conference finals. They also made the Stanley Cup finals just a couple of seasons ago.

So how did he do it? Eric Duhatschek quotes him in another piece:

"I studied the Indianapolis Colts' operation for the last couple of years," said Burke, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks' general manager, "and Bill Polian, the president and GM there, is a genius. So, when he's looking at their board and he says, 'these four guys, that are all starters, are unrestricted next fall.' And I'm like, 'well what are you going to do?' And he says, 'let 'em go.'
Burke obviously took that advice. Eric adds:

Burke orchestrated an extreme culture change in Anaheim, turning a skilled but soft team into a gritty, determined, make-you-pay-the-price organization -- and he did it in record time. He signed Scott Niedermayer, traded for François Beauchemin, but his most impressive work was moving out expensive underachievers (Sergei Fedorov, Petr Sykora, Sandis Ozolinsh) in a year when few teams were looking to add to payrolls.

From no playoffs to Stanley Cup contender in one season. I wonder if the Samuelis have sent Stan McCammon a thank-you card yet.

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Comments/Questions: Feel free to post in the comments section or email me at gocanucksgo10 (at) hotmail (dot) com.

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posted by J.J. Guerrero, 6:27 AM

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