Posts Tagged Dave Nonis

More behind the Burke firing … Leafs still after Luongo … Flyers involved in a 3 way trade with Leafs getting Luongo

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 10th, 2013

  • Tim Wharnsby via twitter: Brian Burke was fired because he couldn’t get along with the new members of the MLSE board.
  • Tim Wharnsby of CBC: Burke and some new members of the board did not see eye-to-eye. Burke did not react kindly to some free hockey related advice he was getting from some new members. After several meetings with him, they decided it was time to part ways.

    The official word from Anselmi was the new ownership group wanted new leadership. But again, the new set of directors didn’t need seven months to determine they wanted new leadership. They simply learned over this time they needed somebody willing to work with them.

    It was not, as some speculated, a difference in opinion in whether the Maple Leafs should make a serious pitch for Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.

    Burke wanted to make a trade for Luongo.

  • James Mirtle via twitter: Reliable source said that Burke’s firing had nothing to do with his personal issues, although they are there.
  • James Mirtle of the Globe and Mail: Within days of the meeting Burke for the first time, the new board members had already began formulating a list of possible replacements.

    According to a source in the room, Mr. Burke offered few solid answers for why the losses on the ice kept piling up. Nor did he explain why his four-year rebuilding effort had failed to solve two key issues for the hockey team: finding a first-line centre and stabilizing the Leafs’ goaltending situation.

    Executives of BCE and Rogers Communications, who together control 75 per cent of the sports franchise, found Mr. Burke defensive and brusque – difficult to work with, the source said.

    A source on BCE and Rogers board members almost immediate dislike for Burke’s outspokenness:

    “New ownership didn’t like him,” the source said. “Fundamentally, they wanted a GM who would listen – for better or worse. They said they want a corporate guy and fired a Harvard lawyer.”

  • Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun: Garrioch believes that new Leafs GM Dave Nonis will make the call to Canucks GM Mike Gillis. It could take Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and a 2nd round pick, or some variance of that to get Roberto Luongo. Garrioch notes that that Burke was afraid to pull the trigger on the deal, and he wouldn’t be surprised if Nonis pulled the trigger on this quickly.
  • Jimmy Murphy via twitter: A reliable source said that prior to the Burke firing, the Flyers would be the 3rd team in a 3-way trade that would land Luongo in Toronto.
  • Chris Botta via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said that Brian Burke’s firing doesn’t change the Roberto Luongo story.

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Flyers interested in Luongo … Burke was close on Luongo deal … Luongo tweet

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Rumors on January 10th, 2013

  • James Duthie via twitter: Despite some denials, Ciccone’s tweet is accurate. This doesn’t mean they will get him or make an offer, but they have inquired. They could buyout Ilya Bryzgalov in June.
  • Adrian Dater via twitter: Flyers GM Paul Holmgren is going after Luongo big time. They will buyout Bryzgalov next year.
  • Frank Seravalli via twitter: Holmgren on the Luongo rumors: ”That made me chuckle. Safe to say they aren’t true. They have no basis or merit.”
  • Adrian Dater via Sulia: The Flyers thought process as of last night is, to trade for Luongo then:

    1. Secretly hope that Ilya Bryzgalov retires to the KHL right away.
    2. But with his huge contract making that about a 1% chance of happening…
    3. Just barely sneak Luongo’s $5.3 million cap hit under the cap level of $70.2 million for this season, and go with a goalie tandem for this short season of Luongo-Bryzgalov. This assumes that Chris Pronger’s nearly $5 million cap hit comes off the books this year, because of LTI relief. (Long Term Injury).
    4. If they don’t win a Stanley Cup with that tandem they…
    5. Buy out one of the two contractually. That leaves the other standing as the No. 1 guy, and then they can worry more about getting under the $64.3 million cap for next year.

    The fact is, the Flyers regret the Bryzgalov signing. He was brutal most of last year, regular season and playoffs. They are curious as to what it would take to trade for Luongo.

  • Adrian Dater via twitter: The Canucks would like to get Nicklas Grossman in a Luongo trade, but it’s unclear if the Flyers would go that far. If the Canucks can’t get Grossman, may ask for Luke Schenn.
  • Dan Rosen via twitter: No matter who is trying to trade for Luongo, the Canucks won’t give him away, and Gillis will want fair value for him. It won’t be a major haul, but a good prospect and a decent draft pick seems fair.
  • Craig Custance via twitter: Canucks GM Mike Gillis said he hasn’t talked to Nonis about a Roberto Luongo deal: ”Not allowed to talk about trades until this deal is done. It’s not done.”
  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Burke wanted Luongo bad and Nonis will push for him as well. The Canucks insist there are other teams interested. The Canucks want to get quality return for Luongo, and can still see him working out well with Schneider in a shortened season if the right deal isn’t there. Staying in Vancouver isn’t the first choice for Luongo, both are professionals, and Luongo won’t go a city that isn’t right for his family.
  • James Mirtle via twitter: Mirtle was told that even with Burke, the Maple Leafs and Canucks were close on a deal. Burke thought the asking price was too high and was playing the waiting game.

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Videos: Part of Nonis press conference, Timing in Question, Tanenbaum, Lupul and Armstrong

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News, NHL Videos on January 9th, 2013

*** I’ll post the complete press conference when I can find it ***

Maple Leafs fire Brian Burke and make Nonis new GM [Raw Video]

Hockey Central: Timing of Burke firing in question.

Burke firing emotional for Tanenbaum.

Lupul: Not a good feeling for players

Colby Armstrong’s perspective.

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Maple Leafs fire Brian Burke and name Dave Nonis GM

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on January 9th, 2013

Dave Nonis is named the 14th general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Burke will be staying with the Maple Leafs in a senior advisor role.

3:41 PM:

  • Darren Dreger via twitter: Dreger was told that Burke was absolutely shocked by the news. Said via text that he can’t talk at this point.
  • Damien Cox of the Toronto Star: “Two, both Bell and Rogers are keen on a deal for Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo and Burke was resisting such a move. He said repeatedly of late that he was “90 per cent” certain he wanted to go with the combination of James Reimer and Ben Scrivens in net and had talked several times about his frustrations of dealing with Vancouver GM Mike Gillis, particularly since he wasn’t sure dealing for Luongo was the right move.”
  • Alex Seixeiro via twitter: “Bob McCown on #Sportsnet: Burke didn’t want to deal Kadri & Gardiner for Luongo. Felt it wasn’t the right deal to make. #Leafs #MapleLeafs”

2:50 PM:

  • Damien Cox via twitter: “Bell/Rogers clearly not comfortable with Burke. Bell, in particular, believed his style was “bad for the brand.”
  • Damien Cox via twitter: “Nonis will ABSOLUTELY make a strong push to get Roberto Luongo from Vancouver. Take that to the bank.”

2:00 PM:

  • Katie Strang via twitter: “Toronto’s Larry Tannenbaum when asked about Burke: “This was a decision of the board.”"
  • David Pagnotta via twitter: “Last season, Burke turned down trading Grabovski to Chicago for a 1st & prospect, and rejected a 1st RD pick for MacArthur from another team”

1:45 PM:

  • Pierre LeBrun via twitter: “One NHL team executive believes Burke’s reluctance to move on Luongo cost him but I think there’s more to it than that…”
  • Jason Brough via twitter: “Burke: Didn’t address goaltending. Never landed a top center. Poor free-agent signings. Still not very tough. No playoffs. So…yeah.”
  • Brian Huddle via twitter: “I also can’t see a new GM wanting the Kessel trade hanging over him, and almost wonder if he’ll be moved.”

1:15 PM:

  • David Pagnotta via twitter: “Was told in June new Leafs ownership was not going to renew Burke once contract expires, once they took over. Surprised happened now”
  • Bruce Garrioch via twitter: “The reality is Brian Burke should have been fired before he was allowed to hire Randy Carlyle.”
  • Steve Simmons via twitter: “I could be wrong, but I don’t believe the Burke firing has anything to with Luongo. I believe there are other issues at play here.”

1:05 PM:

  • Mark Spector via twitter: “Sounds like Burke did NOT want to make Luongo deal, while many in Leafs org did. Burke a principled man.”

12:55 PM:

  • Ian Mendes via twitter: “The timing of the Brian Burke firing is absolutely stunning to me — unless his contract stipulated he could not be fired during a lockout.”
  • Nick Kypreos via twitter: “#NHL news: Source saying #Canucks Luongo still very much in the hunt to become a #Leaf despite GM Burke relieved of his duties. “
  • Eric Francis via twitter: “Speculation is it’s Luongo related but that’s hard to fathom, unless it was the tipping point of a power struggle. Against who is question “

12:40 PM:

  • Greg Brady via twitter: ”I realize this is VERY speculative, but told by a source Randy Carlyle is “not exactly safe”. I trust this source impeccably. Wow.”
  • James Mirtle via twitter: “Several people around league told me during lockout they didn’t think Burke would last the season. Didn’t fully believe it…”
  • Brian Huddle via twitter: “You let the guy sign McClement, draft Rielly, hire Carlyle and trade for JVR, and THEN fire him? #gongshow”

12:30 PM:

  • Bob McKenzie via twitter: “Toronto Maple Leafs have apparently fired Brian Burke as general manager. Working on official confirmations.”
  • Dan Tencer via twitter: “This move could have been made during the lockout to allow a new body to become familiar with players, contracts etc. Timing seems absurd.”
  • Glenn Schiiler via twitter: “Wonder if Burke told the board “Sorry I don’t think Luongo is going to happen.” Then the board said “OK..goodbye then!”Nonis to get it done?”

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Toronto Maple Leafs call up Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie … Audio with Kadri, Burke and Wilson

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL News on November 12th, 2010

3:13 pm:

2:57 pm:

  • Fan 590 Audio: Leafs Sr VP of Hockey Operations Dave Nonis discussing call ups and upcoming game.

2:46 pm:

2:30 pm:

1:00 pm:

11:06am:

10:36 am:

  • Greg Brady via twitter: People who Brady respect say that “Jerry D’Amigo’s more “NHL-ready” than Nazem Kadri, but D’Amigo wouldn’t satiate Leafs fanbase.”

9:50 am:

  • Burke told Gord Stellick before the Panthers game that the Maple Leafs would try “other ways” to improve their offense rather than recalling Nazem Kadri. Well the “other ways” didn’t last too long. Let the debate if the Maple Leafs are bringing up Nazem Kadri at the right time begin.

I think the best time to call up Kadri would have been if/when the Leafs fire Ron Wilson. Two stories would deflect some attention away from Kadri.

I’ll continue to add some pieces to this entry through out the day.

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Ponikarovsky re-signing in Pittsburgh? Nonis staying with Leafs … Hemsky for #4, don’t count on it

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Entry Draft, NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on May 11th, 2010

  • Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: The Pittsburgh Penguins gave up their number 2 prospect, Luca Caputi, at the trade deadline for Alexei Ponikarovsky, a deal that hasn’t played out as well as the Penguins had hoped. Ponikarovsky was brought in to be a top 6 forward and play with Evgeni Malkin, but he found himself dropped down to the 4th line, and then in the press box on Saturday. Though it’s unclear if they will look to bring him back next season, he might have to take less than he might get on the open market if he wants another shot playing with Malkin.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Maple Leafs number 2 man, Dave Nonis, was rumored to be one of the top candidates for the vacant Tampa Bay GM job, but it appears that that won’t be happening. Nonis is expected to be signing an extension with the Leafs that will keep him with the club through 2011-12.
  • Craig Custance of the Sporting News: Nicklas Lidstrom has enrolled his son in a Swedish school, though it doesn’t mean he’ll be retiring. “That’s something his age you have to do if we are going back to Sweden, otherwise he wouldn’t have a school,” Lidstrom said. “It’s something we had to do just to make sure, if we did go… he had a school to go to, otherwise we’d go back there and he wouldn’t be where he wanted to be.”
  • Bryan Mullen of the Tennessean: The Nashville Predators will most likely stay the course with their drafting philosophy, taking the best player regardless of position. The Preds don’t have their 2nd (Grebeshkov trade) and 4th (Boyd trade) round picks. I think they should be taking the best scoring forward, regardless if he’s a center or winger, the Preds need to score more goals.
  • Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal: Joe Pavelski is one of the top RFAs this summer, and could be in a similar situation as Phil Kessel was last year, and their numbers are similar. Pavelski could get an offer sheet from someone, but the Sharks have only $36 million tied up next so far, and would most likely match the offer (unless it’s crazy). Columbus GM, and former Oilers assistant GM Scott Howson is a big fan of Ales Hemsky, but don’t count on them sending the Number 4 draft pick to the Oilers for him. There’s a good chance Sergei Kostitsyn will be in the KHL next season. Tomas Vokoun’s $6.3 million salary may be to big for some teams to swallow, but the Panthers will try to again at the draft and/or in July. Florida could go with Scott Clemmensen and Jacob Markstrom if Vokoun is moved.

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Changes to Senators Defense for Next Year … Short List for Lightning GM … Coyotes and Avalanche Off-Season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL News, NHL Rumors on April 29th, 2010

  • Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun: Some big changes to the Senators defense could be coming this off-season. The Sens may not be willing to give Anton Volchenkov the $5 million a year he might get on the open market. Trade deadline acquisition, Andy Sutton, is 35-years-old and made $3.5 million last season, and will be looking for one more good contract before retirement. GM Bryan Murray thinks that prospects Patrick Wiercioch and Jared Cowen could be ready for the jump to the NHL next season. Other potential defenseman free agents that might be interested in playing for the Senators at a reasonable price are; Brian Pothier (former Sen), Sean O’Donnell (hometown), Shane Hnidy (former Sen), Zbynek Michalek (Milan’s brother), Kurtis Foster (lived close to Ottawa). On the forward side of things, they might look to re-sign Matt Cullen. They might have to turn to a trade to bring in some scoring if they are able to get some scoring from the free agent market.
  • Matt Paulson (AP) in the USA Today: The main off-season issue for the Phoenix Coyotes will be to find an owner once again. On the free agent side of things, which involves half their defensive corps, as well as forwards Matthew Lombardi and Lee Stempniak. Zbynek Michalek could be costly to keep around.
  • Darren Dreger of TSN: Tampa Bay Lightning owner Jeffrey Vinik has a short list of potential GMs he likes, Dave Nonis, Doug Risebrough, and Steve Yzerman. It is rumored that the Red Wings have given the Lightning permission to speak with Yzerman. Vinik said before that he wanted to have a CEO in place before a GM was hired. Seattle Seahawks CEO, Tod Leiweke, has said previously he’s not a candidate, though some believe the details are being finalized for him to be named CEO.
  • Adrian Dater of the Denver Post: The Colorado Avalanche need to be bigger and faster along the blueline next season. Anyone of Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen, and Cameron Gaunce have a shot at making the team next fall. Chris Stewart and Peter Mueller will be looking for raises, both are coming off their entry level deals. The Avalanche do have the cap room to investigate adding a big name, but have shown lately that they may stick to rebuilding from in-house.
  • Helene Elliot of the LA Times: LA Kings coach Terry Murray would ‘absolutely’ like to Alexander Frolov back next year. It will probably come down to money, as Frolov is looking for a big deal, reportedly in the $5 million range.

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Kovalev Out for Season … UFA Defenseman … Maple Leaf Questions this Off-Season

Posted by Mark Easson in NHL Free Agents, NHL Injuries, NHL News on April 11th, 2010

  • Don Brennan of Canoe Sports: The Ottawa Senators have lost Alex Kovalev for the remained of the season with a completely torn ACL. He has surgery scheduled for 2 weeks, and rehab should be 3-4 months.
  • Kevin Allen of the USA Today: Allen lists his top 15 free agent defenseman. Paul Martin will likely be looking for $5 million a season. If the Preds are re-sign Dan Hamhuis, which they’d like too, he’d probably have to take a bit of a hometown discount. It seems like Sergei Gonchar will take less than market value to remain with the Penguins.
  • Mike Zeisberger of the Toronto Sun: Some names/questions that should be in the news regarding the Toronto Maple Leafs this off-season. Will Tomas Kaberle be traded? Will RFA Nikolai Kulemin return to Russia for more money? What number will Jonas Gustavsson re-sign for? If Kaberle isn’t dealt, will Francois Beauchemin be moved? Is it time for Mikhail Grabovski to move on, even for a mid-round pick? Will Dave Nonis leave to become a GM elsewhere? Potential trade partners could be the Blackhawks and Flyers, both who will have some salary cap decisions. Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp and Scott Hartnell could be potential trade targets.

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