Burke or Deano?

[kings_nutt]

I know that Burke took over a team in a better position than Dean did. I also know he has had more success because of that fact.

Most of us know that Dean has not had enough time to judge him on the job he has done with the Kings. However he has been a GM for awhile, likewise for Burke. That said...

Who is the better judge of young talent (no strip club references please)? Who is better working the phones? Who's philosophy of hockey is more inline with your own? Who manages the cap more effectively? Who can swim in the UFA waters without getting bit?

Discuss amongst yourselves...

[Jim Jones]

Dean.

If Burke took over and turned the Kings into the Ducks, I would stop being a Kings fan.

[Continuum]

I think it's too early to call. I don't want to sound like a Kings homer and pick Dean.

Obviously Burke is a smart GM, he has built a very good team that is made for the playoffs. I think this years draft will tell which GM has a better understanding of youth. Burke seems to be fine with trading prospects to teams for vets which is fine. Up until now Dean hasn't really moved any prospects without getting a prospect back or a pick.

Not knowing a lot about the Ducks pipeline I have no idea on the depth of the Ducks farm system. But knowing the Kings system I would say the Kings have one if not the best core of prospects in the league.

The deadline will also be an indication of who is a better GM.

[DenshaOtoko]

I thought Dean made better deadline deals last year. It's still harder to tell overall thought...

[OrangePuck]

Real Man of Genius

[Die Radio Die]

Originally Posted by OrangePuck

Real Man of Genius

Will you still be saying that after he leaves for Maple Leafs gig this summer?

We both know it's going to happen.

[Gimp_Stick]

I will hold my vote until I see what Burke gives up to get Sundin at the trade deadline

[DiehardKingsFan]

I wish Dean valued team touguhness as much as Burke does

[Birdman]

Based on the Kings position, Lombardi. Burke has never been one to build a team from scratch, he's better at tweaking one once most of the pieces have been in place already.

[MuPPeT666]

Burke wanted to win the Cup.


DL wants to win the Cup AND build a dynasty.




I prefer DL's plan, and I don't give a stinking **** if Ducks won the Cup before us. Who cares about the ducks? I know I don't...

[Marc]

Originally Posted by DiehardKingsFan

I wish Dean valued team touguhness as much as Burke does

That's my only concern with Deano so far... Otherwise, only time will tell as it's too early to be able to evaluate Dean's moves. Burke took over a team that was already v. close and made some good moves.

[KingFanMGM]

Originally Posted by kings_nutt

IWho is the better judge of young talent (no strip club references please)? Who is better working the phones? Who's philosophy of hockey is more inline with your own? Who manages the cap more effectively? Who can swim in the UFA waters without getting bit?

I would say that Dean is a better evaluator of prospects/young talent.

I also give DL credit for getting the most value for players that are performing below expectations in trades, however I must give Burke credit for trades that fill in the final pieces. I don't know if he's better at that yet than Dean, because he hasn't been in that position yet with the Kings, so only time will tell.

Who's hockey philosophy is better? Well, the Ducks have a more balanced team so far, but I don't think that has anything to do with Dean's philosophy. He is merely using the pieces he has in place. You can't replace 15 players in one off-season, you can only add a few pieces of the puzzle at a time. I think Dean has done a solid job of evaluating the true talent on our team though and trying to secure those key players to long-term contracts. Brown was key. Visnovsky is having a subpar year, but he'll bounce back next year. The only real fault I can find with Dean is that it is now year 2 and we have not pulled the trigger on acquiring a goaltender yet. The price last summer was just too high to pay. Overall I really support his "long-term" goals and that he will not sacrifice the future for a couple extra wins in a season that never was meant to count as a Stanley Cup run anyways.

As for the UFA signings that Dean has done, Cloutier was obviously a flop, but was he really expected to be that big of a disappointment when he was signed? No, I doubt anybody thought he would end up being that horrible. He had a solid career in Vancouver. I don't think Dean can really be blamed for that. He obviously had doubts about the long-term future that Nagy and Stuart had with the Kings when he signed them since he only offerred them 1 year contracts. Preissing has a good contract and as many others have said, is being incorrectly utilized by Crawford. Handzus has been the biggest disappointment, but mostly because of injury. I have confidence in both him and Calder though. I like those 2 signings and still support that they will have much stronger years next year.

I'm glad we have Dean Lombardi and can only wait for the future to arrive quickly!