Shell
06-15-2003, 12:47 AM
Bruins have shot at Burke
Source: Goalie would cost Boston first pick
By Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff, 6/14/2003
Jeff Hackett isn't the only one shopping.
Club officials with Boston and Phoenix, both of whom requested anonymity, yesterday confirmed the sides recently discussed a deal that would bring veteran front-line goaltender Sean Burke to Boston if the Bruins are willing to part with their first pick, No. 16 overall, in next weekend's amateur draft in Nashville.
The 36-year-old Burke, best remembered in Boston for his work in the Devils' net in the spring of 1988, when the Bruins dumped New Jersey in seven games to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, was sensational with the Coyotes in 2001-02, but saw limited action this past season because of a severely sprained ankle. A well-conditioned and respected workhorse, he averaged 61 games and a goals-against average of just less than 2.30 in the two seasons prior to the injury.
The Bruins contacted the Coyotes just days ago after learning that Hackett, acquired this past season in the deal that sent Kyle McLaren to San Jose, was not ready to commit to a new deal with the Bruins. An unrestricted free agent, Hackett as of July 1 is free to sign with any of the NHL's 30 teams, and his agent confirmed late last week that the 35-year-old backstop wouldn't consider a return here until he knew who would be named head coach and who would form the 2003-04 roster.
Not knowing those answers themselves, the Bruins began to look around, and gave serious consideration to swapping with the Flyers for the enigmatic Roman Cechmanek, who was flipped to the Kings May 28 for the relatively low asking price of a second-round draft pick. The Kings also inquired about a swap for Burke but, according to the Phoenix source, went for Cechmanek because it meant yielding a second-round pick instead of a first.
The deal for Burke remains Boston's to make, said the Phoenix source, provided the Bruins pay the first-round asking price.
Hackett could be figuring he'll get an offer from Philadelphia, which is where his agent, Rick Curran, lives. But the Coyotes source also said the Flyers in recent days inquired about a trade for Burke, which makes the Coyotes, Bruins, and Flyers linked in an interesting goalie-go-round as the amateur draft draws closer.
The fact that Boston and Phoenix have talked could pressure Hackett to sign with the Bruins prior to July 1. Or, if he has his heart set on Philly, a Burke-to-Boston move could work in his favor, with the Flyers left in need of filling their net. Curran last week said his client recognized the fact that waiting to shop around could mean that he doesn't land a job.
''He's willing to assume that risk,'' said Curran.
Hackett earned $3.6 million last year, roughly 10 percent more than Burke. To re-sign Hackett, the Bruins likely would have to make him at least a $10 million guarantee over a three-year deal. Burke's pay jumps to $4.5 million next season - a tough nut for the cash-strapped Coyotes - with an option for the same amount in place for 2004-05. If the Bruins acquired him, their only immediate pay commitment would be the $4.5 million, leaving them on the hook for only about half of what it probably would take to tie up Hackett.
If the Bruins, as many expect, sign Mike Sullivan as their next head coach, Hackett could be induced to re-sign. Curran confirmed that his client thoroughly enjoyed working with Sullivan during their short time together following Sullivan's addition to the coaching staff in late March. But the Phoenix source also commented that Burke, on the Coyotes' roster when Sullivan played for Phoenix, was a ''big fan'' of Sullivan's.
Burke, 6 feet 4 inches, 208 pounds, is not among the small pack of elite goaltenders (Eddie Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur) who command $7 million a year and more. Perhaps not a true No. 1, he is at least a 1-A, and most NHL observers would consider him an improvement over Byron Dafoe and Hackett, the best goalies the Bruins have had in recent years.
Less than two weeks ago, after learning that Hackett wasn't ready to commit, Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said, if necessary, he was willing to enter next season with untested Andrew Raycroft and journeyman backup Steve Shields as his goaltending tandem. That's much the same approach as last season, when a John Grahame-Shields tandem sent O'Connell scurrying to find a front-line goalie, ultimately leading to Hackett's acquisition.
This story ran on page E1 of the Boston Globe on 6/14/2003.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.
Source: Goalie would cost Boston first pick
By Kevin Paul Dupont, Globe Staff, 6/14/2003
Jeff Hackett isn't the only one shopping.
Club officials with Boston and Phoenix, both of whom requested anonymity, yesterday confirmed the sides recently discussed a deal that would bring veteran front-line goaltender Sean Burke to Boston if the Bruins are willing to part with their first pick, No. 16 overall, in next weekend's amateur draft in Nashville.
The 36-year-old Burke, best remembered in Boston for his work in the Devils' net in the spring of 1988, when the Bruins dumped New Jersey in seven games to make it to the Stanley Cup finals, was sensational with the Coyotes in 2001-02, but saw limited action this past season because of a severely sprained ankle. A well-conditioned and respected workhorse, he averaged 61 games and a goals-against average of just less than 2.30 in the two seasons prior to the injury.
The Bruins contacted the Coyotes just days ago after learning that Hackett, acquired this past season in the deal that sent Kyle McLaren to San Jose, was not ready to commit to a new deal with the Bruins. An unrestricted free agent, Hackett as of July 1 is free to sign with any of the NHL's 30 teams, and his agent confirmed late last week that the 35-year-old backstop wouldn't consider a return here until he knew who would be named head coach and who would form the 2003-04 roster.
Not knowing those answers themselves, the Bruins began to look around, and gave serious consideration to swapping with the Flyers for the enigmatic Roman Cechmanek, who was flipped to the Kings May 28 for the relatively low asking price of a second-round draft pick. The Kings also inquired about a swap for Burke but, according to the Phoenix source, went for Cechmanek because it meant yielding a second-round pick instead of a first.
The deal for Burke remains Boston's to make, said the Phoenix source, provided the Bruins pay the first-round asking price.
Hackett could be figuring he'll get an offer from Philadelphia, which is where his agent, Rick Curran, lives. But the Coyotes source also said the Flyers in recent days inquired about a trade for Burke, which makes the Coyotes, Bruins, and Flyers linked in an interesting goalie-go-round as the amateur draft draws closer.
The fact that Boston and Phoenix have talked could pressure Hackett to sign with the Bruins prior to July 1. Or, if he has his heart set on Philly, a Burke-to-Boston move could work in his favor, with the Flyers left in need of filling their net. Curran last week said his client recognized the fact that waiting to shop around could mean that he doesn't land a job.
''He's willing to assume that risk,'' said Curran.
Hackett earned $3.6 million last year, roughly 10 percent more than Burke. To re-sign Hackett, the Bruins likely would have to make him at least a $10 million guarantee over a three-year deal. Burke's pay jumps to $4.5 million next season - a tough nut for the cash-strapped Coyotes - with an option for the same amount in place for 2004-05. If the Bruins acquired him, their only immediate pay commitment would be the $4.5 million, leaving them on the hook for only about half of what it probably would take to tie up Hackett.
If the Bruins, as many expect, sign Mike Sullivan as their next head coach, Hackett could be induced to re-sign. Curran confirmed that his client thoroughly enjoyed working with Sullivan during their short time together following Sullivan's addition to the coaching staff in late March. But the Phoenix source also commented that Burke, on the Coyotes' roster when Sullivan played for Phoenix, was a ''big fan'' of Sullivan's.
Burke, 6 feet 4 inches, 208 pounds, is not among the small pack of elite goaltenders (Eddie Belfour, Curtis Joseph, Martin Brodeur) who command $7 million a year and more. Perhaps not a true No. 1, he is at least a 1-A, and most NHL observers would consider him an improvement over Byron Dafoe and Hackett, the best goalies the Bruins have had in recent years.
Less than two weeks ago, after learning that Hackett wasn't ready to commit, Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell said, if necessary, he was willing to enter next season with untested Andrew Raycroft and journeyman backup Steve Shields as his goaltending tandem. That's much the same approach as last season, when a John Grahame-Shields tandem sent O'Connell scurrying to find a front-line goalie, ultimately leading to Hackett's acquisition.
This story ran on page E1 of the Boston Globe on 6/14/2003.
© Copyright 2003 Globe Newspaper Company.