Calgary Trade bait
Even though Burke acknowledged that Feaster and his scouting staff hit a “home run” with the selection of Monahan last June, Burke wants his next GM to be draft savvy so the presumable next top-five pick will be a key part of the Flames’ future.
“We have to get those picks right,” he said. “You have to hit home runs.
“Jay did that last year.”
Before the draft comes around, though, the rebuild could get a boost from proper trades involving Mike Cammalleri, Lee Stempniak, Matt Stajan and Chris Butler, all of whom will be unrestricted free agents in the summer.
The importance Burke placed on the draft may raise eyebrows in Toronto because he gave up two first-round picks in a package to the Bruins for Phil Kessel — selections the Bruins used to land talented young players in Tyler Seguin and Dougie Hamilton.
Burke made some good moves over his four years in Toronto, especially the acquisition of James van Riemesky for Luke Schenn. But the Maple Leafs still haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.
Which brings us to the Flames. They also haven’t won a playoff series since 2004 — the year of their run to the Stanley Cup final. It sure will be interesting to see if Burke has more success with this rebuilding effort in Calgary.
http://www.cbc.ca/sports-content/hockey/opinion/2013/12/no-christmas-freeze-for-brian-burke-to-trade-spots-with-feaster.html