Burke managed to trade up and draft both in 1999 for Vancouver with the second and third overall picks. It may be tough for the Canucks to keep them, and if the duo fail to sign, then I think Toronto will be their destination. It would give the Maple Leafs two forwards who will play on the top line.

Look for Burke to break up this edition of the Maple Leafs by the trade deadline, accumulating draft choices for players like Antropov, Kaberle and Kubina if they agree to be traded, and possibly even Vesa Toskala. Then Burke will have a lot of money, a very high first round selection as the Maple Leafs will drop in the standings, and a new beginning to be able to mold the team as he wants to.

It should be interesting in a few years to see if Toronto is once again a contender, or the pressure on Burke in the center of the hockey universe will be too hot to handle.