Brian Burke, Team USA & Maple Leafs GM

Talk a little hockey now with the the engineer of the sparkling silver medalists in the Olympic Games the United States Olympic hockey team. Brian Burke is also the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in our leadoff hitter is brought to you by our belly insurance. Brian how are -- are you I'm doing great thanks congratulations. That was as much fun to watch if you're a hockey fan as anything I can remember. And any kind of stood up to some criticism when you put this team together and I think you were proven right.

right there was a lot of actors and thank. Part of that on the back in US Iraq is given us a better pool. Choose from on the team didn't have a big name recognition that some of the earlier this -- in the USA. And what I call the greatest generation of players from Europe there are accurate heroic from the Qatar in the -- ultimately to. Well we put together -- group we felt that had versatility and put these in its specific out officially. And I think partners with -- that is you know okay arguably the copper. Back I think that's helped yeah it's good because -- more players who want for taking. Probably greatest generation is the world knew it was going to -- original debate. Now this is the debate. And a second the united until the -- is in the ballot there are players like and I thought. If you're saying that you have the wrong guys really questioning the players I think the players and to any question about themselves righted until I needed to be vindicated and validated by. A guy like history. Who went after pretty hard you know what he's around the city he was strip and I think he's silenced a lot of credit.

You have the youngest team in the Olympic tournament wondering Brian was that intentional was that part of your philosophy to compete. On the international stage to be young and fast.

Yes who we thought that that -- or enthusiasm was an important element of are being -- be successful it's sort out what a couple of quick curt -- where it depends. They're much younger and we jump all over earlier than there were quick development. And you know have enough energy to shut them down pretty well right away. And so I was that was part of what we talked about we put it together people here you know covered young. And so what they haven't you know what you bring you bring the -- either. And the devil -- two guys -- companies on a park in the yards total. And the price maybe that there -- more cautious individual and that's one of the that this group rock.

You were in such an interesting position because his general manager of the Maple Leafs if you were wearing just that -- You gotta be a little nervous seeing Phil -- out there playing at a high level everybody was playing at the possibility of what could happen. But -- the GM of team USA. You'll want him playing at that level as well.

I got I didn't think about that one David Paul knows what they uses -- And and I know he mentioned once and it never even occurred in the -- of all I want to do was when. Every year we play -- Gwendolyn B whoever plant. And I and every they're currently that there were player's -- in including mine. There could have been injured who has just like -- our planet and are we kicked the crap out of the fence okay we're who's next I would kick the crap out of them so. I didn't think a lot of once the current troop I'd get on the plane yesterday they'll climb back. I guess on Monday -- back from -- Connell. But back from Vancouver's trawler currently Oleg how would've been on a couple particulars Bergeron who's there mr. right in residences.

You know -- you when you lose a game look -- that game against Canada on Sunday which was a fantastic matchup. You lose three hits you and you lose in overtime. I'll bet as a player. Many of those guys are thinking if I had done this or does it happen we would have been okay. The guy who put the team together you know what kept you up what you're thinking about in the aftermath of that game and you may be beating yourself up over.

Well first you're exactly right that this feeling that the six -- an -- People that are in the industry. Even avid US hot -- understand that knows direction you know I mean you could put everything and not -- what a great job so -- know Brett. The problem that I've lost the playoff series and doubled -- in. A lot not a play out there's an old economy in. The problem is. Maybe you were pulled it would be seven of the look at the personnel in clearly had a more favored in net. An average payroll hours of treatment dollar program higher than -- Way higher statistical levels so that was David -- and fraud and get a little overtime. You can take at face who would say -- an accomplishment I'm sure over time off you know what I felt right afterwards was. This isn't fair. If we played five on five the wayward during the play -- in the game to play five on five overtime. Repeat. And I'm not denigrate their victory and not say that's true this is where I might feel it was right after. And then right after you know what who we've -- carefully what player who we are brought -- not here. The credit scored a game should we have had might -- not currently no we've got the right group this group. Org lyrical -- in the public -- outcome but I know work. Problem is -- remember popular. The New York Seattle Seahawks -- Super Bowl and you're recorded there's little or two in land that. You are you -- conference championship you've had a great year. But -- it was thought it was Lawrence's door when every kind of place well I've felt like after the game. Remember there's not a bad feeling for what the players -- their medals. I welcome knows all -- on -- children prologue I'm well thank it -- someday -- they would use of -- about Iraq in ever played and I were part of.

You brought up an interesting point I don't have a problem in the NHL in a five minute overtime of going to four on four a twenty minute overtime I think it's stupid it should just be five on five.

It's the only complaint I have and the reason I haven't that it probably won't right now -- There's because I wanted to denigrate erred in any way to -- and -- have its. Because in this case -- and -- and analysts -- for the pocket the referees they are people going oh law you know what that happening is we're not going about. And so that's what the format we know what it was after the order was which one of.

I gotta tell -- even as somebody who follows the NHL game in and likes to watch the NHL product. When your in the east you don't see the west a lot and you had a couple of guys who really opened my eyes. Because I just didn't realize how good they are and top of the list for me I said during that tournament was Ryan Kessler.

You know I drafted him in Vancouver news plant in Ohio they regret the news that the bag bone graft. And the way more 175 pounds in the same ideas now. -- So you'd emaciated. But I love is all like -- most -- here's a bowling you're is hot he sent very highly developed. There are real high hockey -- you really good instincts I'm worried though. He was being. And this character norm really that are NHL player and he was system gladiator but he was he shut down outside her on every it -- played. He chipped in offensively. Play the body blocks got old I was current phase outs and he did a lot of really useful thing that current reports.

let's talk about your team have been here the Toronto Maple Leafs Brian not team USA you traded for. My favorite Bruin. Everybody knows that Phil -- my favorite guy. You trade reform people here tell me -- not that tough and -- can he can score goals but he doesn't do everything else that you need a hockey player to do. What did you see and Phil -- the major wanna give up so much form.

Everything that -- that is true. Not that -- But it is not that worry about the recorder is not as strong as. But I can get people who goes to. And I've known bill heard this regional partners who it was -- you put in -- together despite putting -- ago. Cops that -- bottom exports have the first violent. Since he's in the current role in the spotlight rather elegant. But there's a guy built like in the back on out of Cuba and it'll start to vote for them. And so Iowa want people would do the dirty work it is based by the body tech. -- I want people put the puck in the -- I have always had high -- players. -- always at most they'll play it is this is an outstanding player I think this -- work out great football in his peers thriller over real hard bargain. It's gonna get a real high tech certainly are that we expect it but that's -- look it we got that we want.

He gave the Bruins 36 goals last year and I and I can make a point he's a kid. He doesn't know who he is at the player yet know who he is is a man yet. What do you -- you'll be what he grows up as an NHL player what do you think his his his top side is. Well.

Part of the reason that I was interest than those who have with the national team and I watched his maturation as a young man is trapped here you wouldn't make eye contact with people. Who ordered the floor in interviews is used dreadful. Personality wise Anthony -- side beyond description. And now I comment Portland we're getting ready north in the -- of the world and since it's now back. And now this was a much more mature much more comprehensive. And so what he's going to be I think is going to be here -- and elliptical or I think the other part is being. He's underrated eat sensibly like this I get back and outnumbered back. Because what speed is actually a pretty efficient offensive player to. As you -- now lol no not not not -- thing. Is he gonna fight null but I can find the lower the skill requirements. -- job users create a fellow with somebody else fighting someone who can -- 36 all of the colonial under all that ninety.

Ryan is somebody who was in those rooms yesterday trying to make those deals and you made a number of deals over the last couple of days. What was it like this Peter sure rally expressed some frustration. He said he model for seven and an attempt to bring -- forward in here what was it like for the guys trying to make deals yesterday.

There was there was frustrating I've read -- comment this morning president would be normality guys when. And I I get -- there's times when. There's times when there's a market there and people are willing to move quality players -- going to step up. And sometimes it's just not there like personal political personal at. And I could tell what frustrates -- is poised to reading the commentary in Europe and I like that up pretty lean on the I like Seidenberg but those in the pickup I think you know -- I think pierce college and it's got here. In general like -- you know. But I get sent to frustration and no audit partner. All over all the same thing. He said they tried like -- to a couple things they couldn't handle their involvement. Try to do you think he couldn't -- like. As a general level of frustration there for speaker guys move but hardly any impact as depicted. The two big impact -- went down a week before with our Zealand editors he'll.

You know you you you know what it's like around here. Brian when we talk about the Red Sox especially we get fired up patriots all the teams. Can you make any kind of comparison. -- in Toronto what's it like. Powerful four. A guy who was charged with remaking the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't won a cup and a very long time I'm sure their. They're passionate about hockey they feel like they -- at the game what's it like the -- can you compare to anything that's going on in the states.

While the elected people back to your rallies you're not -- are and that there -- about 1961. 19671970. To. 1975. Never. Last Stanley Cup 61 tunnel -- 67 column is somebody who bought the broad subject -- up it -- never all but. The pressure on not because of that -- people bring about every day but if you wanna some comparison. If you appears growing. And you know the general manager of you know -- PO -- took. General manager all work he probably would them they've profile all together. As the general manager of hot in the Canadian -- American Indians impaired rotate. In Montreal whoever is hot you're seeing. My wife as -- right after this you know very well known all right. We don't have any privacy like record the subway to work when there we. Aren't that suggested on the team. -- there's no privacy in order I've but I want all of the pressure on the in the do well. There's constant pressure on me the colts in the player and I lava of that part of beauty yeah.

I got to ask you one more Olympic question before we let -- go here you're a general manager in the National Hockey League you were also the general manager of the US Olympic team. Should NHL players speak going to Scioscia Russia in four years.

That's going to be either but your -- up value my hands over here. Okay but -- but at the ten minute answer and second that's going to be decided a lot above my pay grade that'll be donors in the collective bargaining issue. There are I will say that. People shouldn't simplify and they -- with a walk away from the street not have a candidate USA. How could -- pick a lock it away from the impact that's had while we didn't have that Sochi where and Perino we didn't have that not at all we've gotten one. Or twice now I guess in the Olympics that. Or content not so there is a ballot that -- not involved but again -- be decided by people much Kyra.

I'm gonna ask you -- much easier question before we let you go and that is so large -- for -- and.

open up the oh I'd say they'll vote you know like to play in my in. We're not there yet but -- in our black and blue -- all out -- We like to and cut production of apart physically. There's guys who are rock defense and -- and great personality. Is pastors there. Where -- is that -- these are currently up this or that the twenty or you'll. --

We are all proud of our children in every one of them in every way and I know how proud you are of all of your children. Your son Brandon may have been his courageous and as gutsy a kid as I have ever heard of and I know how much pride you have and how he handled things. And it is for that reason that those of us -- on like you found it's so difficult to have to have you go through all the you went through earlier this month or last month.

Well thank you used oh wonderful site as -- by the net. I appreciate your mentioning it's there and until we want a is a wonderful parent let them enough due to Brigham.

it's great to talk to you again good to see end and good luck the rest of the way. Okay thank you take care -- that is up Brian Burke. The general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the general manager of teen USA.