There are reports out from reliable sources that Brian Burke is soon to be announced as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Calgary Flames (hehe). You can read one report here.
UPDATE: Burke has been named the President of Hockey Operations for the Calgary Flames. It also signals an unwillingness to rebuild like the Oilers have, and would appear that they are looking for a much quicker turn around then Edmonton has had. And who could blame them, really? I think this is a good move and I’ll tell you why I think so below.
This is big news for the Flames (hehe) as they are at what would seem to be the beginning of a rebuild similar to what the Oilers have been going through the last number of years, and hopefully are poised to end this season with hopefully a playoff appearance.
So what does this mean for the Flames (hehe)? Well I’d assume that Jay Feaster is about to lose his job as general manager, after all there’s only room for one giant bucket of KFC in front office at a time, and sorry Feaster, Burke has dibs now. Sorry I just couldn’t resist, but in all truthfulness I would say with confidence that if this move happens it is the beginning of the end for Jay Feaster as GM.
I would say that the owners in Calgary are not willing to go through what the Oilers went through during this re-build process. This is a good thing for Flames (hehe) fans and, you know what, probably a good thing for Oilers fans too. Now I’ve never liked Brian Burke, never ever, but he’s a smart hockey mind and I think can be credited with Toronto making the playoffs last season when everyone wrote them off, even his own bosses. But let’s face it the players that helped the Maple Leafs the most were Brian Burke additions. That being said, Burke’s pull no punches attitude will maybe make Calgary’s turn around happen sooner and what’s better than a good Oilers versus Flames (hehe) rivalry? Nothing that’s what.
So instead of years of the Edmonton beating up on Calgary on the ice because they can’t ice a competitive team, maybe we can have years of the Oilers mopping the ice with the Flames (hehe) but filled with hard fought close games the way things used to be. Wouldn’t that be nice? And maybe just maybe we will get to finally see the Kevin Lowe vs Brian Burke heavy weight pay per view bout in the barn that we’ve all been waiting for.
Also, sorry about all the (hehe’s) in the post, but I just can’t help but giggle a little every time I mention the Oilers rivals from the south. I personally hope this move happens; because as much as I hate the Calgary Flames, I would much rather have a close rivalry than guaranteed win every night.
Thanks for reading, I’ll leave you with this vintage video from the days were the rivalry was a guaranteed great game every time the two teams played, no matter who won.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdv0ASTu78g&w=480&h=360]
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