Leafs Acquire John-Michael Liles

Tomas Kaberle was traded to Boston for prospect Joe Colborne, 1st round draft pick (30th overall), and Boston's 2nd round pick in 2012.  Burke has managed to turn the conditional pick into John Michael Liles.

Trade now breaks down to this:

Toronto Acquired:

1. Joe Colborne (2008 1st round, 16th overall)
2. 2011 1st round pick, 30th overall
3. John-Michael Liles (2000 159th overall)

Boston Acquired:

1. Tomas Kaberle (1996 204th overall)

Colorado Acquired:

1. Boston 2012 2nd round pick

John-Michael Liles is on the last year of his contract and was battling a concussion, he will be looking to perform well in a contract year.  Despite the shortened season, Liles put up good numbers for an offensive defenseman with 76-6-40.  JML adds more than offense to the back-end for the Leafs, he could be a big boon to the Leafs by adding the offensive presence on the back end and his quick puck moving skills.  His speed will allow the team to utilize their speed and skill.  The passing skill on the blueline jumped up exponentially.  The power play will improve greatly now that JML can quarterback.

Star Reporter Kevin McGran Calling Into Question Brian Burke Drafting Success

Prior to reading the article "Burke's NHL draft record: feast or famine", I was hoping something useful could be taken away for reflection.  Instead, it appears to be another anti Brian Burke article from Toronto sports media.  I tend to dislike articles that attempt to add substance by adding statistics but forget to add impartiality.  Essentially, the article says Burke's drafting record is under .500, and previous GM JFJ had better results drafting.  Nowhere was mentioned how other GM's compared against Burke so the reader must assume .500 mark is the standard.  What about teams that prefer to tank for five years and then make a run for the cup?  Should a Detroit or NJ GM's have a better record than .500 if they continually finish in the top of the league standings?

Kevin McGran seems to think

0.5*[Quality GM] + 0.5*[High Draft Pick] = [NHL Player]


I would argue the formula is not so simple.

0.5*[Player Development] + 0.25*[Quality Scouting Staff] +  0.15*[High Draft Pick] + 0.1*[Quality GM] +  = [NHL Player]


Player Development has many components and singularly the most important to ensure a draft pick reaches the NHL.