Mr. Fletcher's perfect streak is over

[lmanchur.]

Well, eventually, some GMs make some questionable moves that turns off some people.

For new Coyote GM Cliff Fletcher, it was his first one.

Today, he signed All-Star goalie Sean Burke to a 3 year, $9 million-dollar deal with a no-trade clause. Burke was signed by the Coyotes two days before the 2000-2001 training camp for just one-year and just over $1 million dollars.

Now, for a "real" All-Star goalie, that's a good move, but 2001 was Burke's first All-Star appearance in 12 years (2nd all-time), and he's something like 33 years old. 2000-2001 has been a career year for Burke, but can he keep it up for the next two or three yeras?

This move suggests, unlike early speculation, the Gretzky and Co. will not be signing "real" All-Star goalie Nikolia Khabibulin, who has been playing in the International Hockey League on the Long Beach Ice Dogs' roster.

Question: Did Cliff Fletcher make a good move or bad move in his first with the Coyotes?

[Peck]

I think it is a good move......Burke will have some ups and downs but mostly ups.........wish edmonton had a smart GM

[icas]

KHABIBULIN IS WITH THE ICE DOGS????? i feel like an idiot if i had known that i woulda actually gone down to see them play seeing as how i'm only an hour or so away... geeeeeeezzzzz... me feel majorly stupid... oh well glad i know now...

[lmanchur.]

Originally posted by icas
KHABIBULIN IS WITH THE ICE DOGS?????

Yep... I wanted to see him play when he made his return to Winnipeg, playing the Manitoba Moose... but I saw him play when he was with the Jets... he he he :)

[lmanchur.]

I'm not liking Mr. Fletcher. Maybe it's just me, but I think they got jipped on the Khabibulin deal. Besides, Tampa may trade Khabby to another team and get more in return.

Phoenix had what could have been a Vezina trophy winner (he's only 26 or 27 or something), but now, because they didn't sign him, he's not at NHL-level any more and if he is, they made a big mistake.

...but playing with the Lightning is just like playing in the IHL... Khabby is used to that... some of the competition (Columbus, Minnesota, Anaheim, etc.) is IHL-level also :D ;)