Dave Nonis isn’t exactly the second coming of Brian Burke.
While Nonis has been tied to Burke for most of his career in the NHL, the new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager explained some of their differences in leadership style when he joined Prime Time Sports on Wednesday.
“In terms of Brian (Burke) and myself, we think a lot alike about how the game should be played,” Nonis told Bob McCown and Damien Cox on Sportsnet 590 the Fan. “How we get there, we’re not the same. We had countless arguments and it becomes almost unpleasant. We want the same thing but we don’t have the same path getting there. It’s not a situation where we’re identical and nothing will change. The way I operate is different.”
Nonis says he shared some differing views with Burke about certain players and while he may not be hesitant to pull the trigger to better the Maple Leafs roster, the team isn’t in the position to give up long-term assets for just a short-term gain.
“We’re going to look to make some moves,” Nonis said. “It’s no different than any other year. We have an excess of forwards and some young players we could look to move. And there are things Brian wouldn’t do that I would do. It has always been the case. Not a new scenario.”
“I don’t think trading long-term assets for one or two years is good for any team. Especially for a team trying to rebuild; maybe for a team trying to get over the hump. Don’t think that’s prudent for us to do.”
Despite the team’s unimpressive record the last four years, Nonis was pleased with what he and Burke were able to accomplish in their work together with the Maple Leafs. Nonis believes the organization is on the right track but needs to continue to add pieces to the core of the club.
“Collectively we’ve done a good job of putting pieces back in the organization. Some are ready but some are years away from playing… We’ve added young pieces that will help us long term — Morgan Rielly, Carter Ashton, Jake Gardiner and getting Joffrey Lupul here. We need some patience on our part to bring them along and need to continue to find ways to add.”
While some have speculated Nonis could immediately make a move on goaltender Roberto Luongo — a player he acquired during his tenure with the Vancouver Canucks — he said it is unrealistic to think there are any deals in place and he will wait to see the finalized CBA before making any trade calls.
“I don’t feel that way,” he said. “Once we’re given the green light to make calls, take deals and talk about signing players, we’ll see what is out there. The notion of deals sitting there waiting to drop is false from every standpoint. Everyone is waiting to see what the new agreement looks like and then you’ll see some action. What pops up after, I can’t tell.”
Nonis made it clear that he wants to continue to add to the core of what Burke had already started building with the Leafs roster.
And while head coach Randy Caryle may have been tabbed as a Burke guy in the past, Nonis is extremely comfortable with him and does not plan on bringing in a new coach.
“Not at all. Randy worked for me before he worked for (Brian),” he explained. “(Randy) was my coach in Manitoba … I had Marc Crawford and actually traded Randy to Anaheim for a second-round pick. (He’s a) guy I’m comfortable with; Exceptional coach and been a friend for a number of years. Lucky to have him and will be given an opportunity to help turn it around. We’re happy to have him. I was part of the decision to hire him and we’re looking forward to him this coming weekend.”
Nonis, like many around the hockey world, was surprised when he was informed Burke was relieved on his duties on Wednesday morning. But he is happy to be back as an NHL general manager and is willing to make the moves necessary to bring the Leafs back to their winning ways.
“No question I hoped to be a manager again. Didn’t think it’d be (on Wednesday). An honour to get this opportunity to help this franchise.”
Anselmi big believer in Nonis
Due to the timing constraints of the lockout, MLSE President & COO Tom Anselmi said it would have been impossible to conduct a full general manager search but is thrilled the team was able to promote the top in-house candidate in Nonis.
“We’ve been here and have been watching him,” Anselmi told McCown & Cox on Wednesday. “We know what we got. We had a very capable candidate in house and it just wouldn’t work (to have GM search). Opening night is (Jan. 19). Practically would have been impossible.”
Anselmi said once the board made the unanimous decision to move forward without Brian Burke, they had no choice but to make the move, despite the questionable timing.
He pointed to the team’s performance on the ice the last few seasons and they wanted a new voice and tone in their leadership.
Nonis fit what Anselmi was looking for and offers a significantly different demeanor than his predecessor.
“They see the game the same way,” Anselmi said on Sportsnet 590 The Fan. “Dave goes about it a much different way. They have a diffrent way of doing things. Brian’s legacy is the building block and the great team of people he put it place. There is no reason to expect Dave can’t do it as well.”