Brian Burke interview with Tim & Sid

Brian Burke, president of hockey operations for the Calgary Flames appeared in an interview Monday evening with Tim & Sid on Sportsnet.

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Like most of Brian Burke’s interviews, it brought with it entertainment. It seems you can always get a few good sound bites from Burkey’s interviews. The conversation ranged from talk of his Flames, Phil Kessel, Analytics, with a shot of old Ducks comparisons.

On the talk of hockey analytics, Tim & Sid asked how much weight he puts into analytics during the evaluation process of a player. The question was being linked to how the analytics people are expecting the Flames to take a step back this season. Burke responded by saying its the last of three tools used:

1. The Eye-Ball Test – The way scouts have done it this way since the beginning. Say what you want about the helpful tools analytics brings, but no tool works better than the eye-ball test.
2. Player Background – I’d assume he’s referring to the players character. Especially with the rise of pro athletes finding the headlines for legal issues. This tool becomes more important than ever.
3. Analytics – Basically he’s saying this tool alone cannot be used for evaluation. Perhaps when you’ve got a few bubble players to decide between, then it may become the supporting tool to make that decision.

Brian Burke was quoted saying the following:

“analytics use statistics like a drunk man uses a lamp post. good for support but does little for illumination”.

It’s a bit of an old saying, but I tend to agree with it. I like the emergence of analytics, but it’s like an infant. It still needs to develop and grow. We need to know how and when to properly use analytics in hockey. Burke was basically trying to put the same type of point across.

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Tim & Sid also inquired about the idea of a format to better allow more parity in the NHL draft so teams like Edmonton are unable to get the type of draft selections they’ve had in the last half decade. Burke responded by saying:

“that’s a question better suited for Ken Holland or Colin Campbell because they’re the analytics guys“.

It did sound as though the issue is on the NHL’s radar to better ensure teams don’t end up with some many high end draft picks.

They also questioned Burke about their impending cap situation at the end of the season where it looks as though they may struggle to re-sign some of their free agents. Burkey went on to explain how it’s basically the type of issue any team in the NHL would love to have.

The Blackhawks were referenced as the main example of how the cap issue itself is related to team success. Now obviously this isn’t the case for some teams like Philadelphia. But you don’t see cap floor teams winning the cup right?

The next topic Tim & Sid hit on with Brian Burke was the evolution of offer sheets due to the cap system. Burke went on to explain how contracts used to work. You’d get your entry-level contract, then a bridge contract, followed by your big contract.

Burke went on to say that offers sheets has basically eliminated the middle tier. Now teams are being forced to sign long-term deals after the entry-level contract. It makes you wonder whether or not this change has had any impact on those bad contracts we see more and more nowadays.

Phil Kessel was hesitantly brought up near the end of the interview asking why Phil didn’t work in Toronto. Brian Burke went on to explain why he thought Kessel didn’t work out, but he did say something very interesting about playing hockey in Toronto:

“some (media) people in this market make it difficult for individuals (players) to play here“.

It is a rumbling that has been talked about throughout the Toronto media market over the years, that has often sparked some intriguing questions.

Such as, does the media have any effect on this teams overall success? Does the media in Toronto make it a place to avoid for free agents? Regardless, it’s nothing new. Media and fans alike in Toronto can be brutally tough on this organization that has failed to bring a Stanley Cup back since 1967.

Overall it was an interesting conversation to say the least, like most interviews we’ve seen from Brian Burke.

He’s a smart hockey guy who isn’t afraid to answer the questions that most GM’s or NHL executives/personnel shy away from. He also isn’t afraid to offer his bold and strong opinions. A reason likely linked to why organizations and fans alike love what Burkey brings to the game

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