Calm before the storm?

It's a big week for us suffering supporters of the area's pro sports teams. The NBA draft is almost upon us!!

Anyway...

...Friday night in Montreal Brian Burke and his posse will continue with the arduous task of re-shaping and reinvigorating hockey's biggest outfit. We're wondering if it'll happen with that 7th pick? Perhaps a little a persuasion and coercion results in an earlier selection? And what about some Burke "hocus pocus" magically generating a choice in the top two? It's all possible. Remote maybe, but possible, and that's what counts. As NHL draft day approaches speculation persists that Burke will indeed attempt to move into the top 5. I believe that's exactly his goal though forget about the 5th, 4th or even 3rd picks, he's after the one of those juicy top two opportunities and nothing less.

So that narrows things down to the runner-up position.

Hell could freeze over before Smlsles' GM, Garth Neige gives up that number 1 selection to the Leafs, so Burke's gotta get focused on those sloppy but yummy 'seconds'. It's attainable and the prize could still very well be an oft-criticized GTA boy who'd love nothing more than to begin his pro hockey career at home. Unlike a growing list of others, I still think John Tavares is a phenomenal talent on the verge of a huge NHL career. He's worth any pick for any team.

History tells us Burke makes more deals on the floor than a hotshot broker at the TSX, so maybe that's where he tries to pull off the deuce and that shot Mr. T (if still available)? But with a good 4 plus days before the contestants begin walking the stage there's plenty of time for Burke to make things happen before the Bell Centre dummies begin chanting "Leafs Suck". Can't wait for that BTW. On the topic of those dummies: to piss'em off Burke should summon Mikhail Grabovski from the Far East just to strut the stage then cobble together enough Anglais to announce the Leafs' first pick. Oh, to dream up crazy scenarios...

Whether a deal for a higher pick comes down early this week or ground work is laid for a serious attack day-of, many of us expect Friday's draft to present not just new faces but fireworks, most of which probably lit by Toronto's own fire starter.

It's draft week.

Time for change.

The calm before the storm...

we hope.