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In a hockey market like Toronto, criticism comes with the territory and since being named the the Maple Leafs president and general manager in 2008, Brian Burke has heard his fair share. Tim Wright Blue Jersey . However, now in his third year with the team, Burke is seeing his hard work pay off as the Leafs sit in second place in the Eastern Conference. "I think it starts with the coach," said Burke on Cybulski and Company. "There is no question that weve benefitted from great performances from Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Joffrey Lupul and from James Reimer early on, but the fact is we went on this road trip and we had six regulars out of the lineup the other night and still found a way to win. I think thats a tribute to [Ron Wilson] and I think he gets surprisingly little credit for that." Toronto roster has gone over a massive overhaul under Burkes guidance, as 23 of the 29 players dressed in the Leafs lineup are players Burke has brought in. "The turnover here in Toronto has been huge as far as within the organization, the players on the ice, management, coaches, everything," explained defenceman Luke Schenn. "Hes brought in a lot of his own guys, and hes definitely been a key reason for our turnaround." Although building a team with truculence was Burkes initial model, the current 14-8-2 squad is built primarily on speed. "I still think big teams and physical teams win more games as long as they can meet the other teams skill level. I still think thats an area where we could get bigger and a little more hostile, but the game has evolved and general managers cant be the last ones to figure that out," stated Burke. "The whole NHL is evolving into what a team should be," said Wilson. "Youre seeing different ways to win and at the moment for us weve built our team around maybe a little bit more speed than what we thought we would end up with." Just as he was in his previous NHL destinations, Burke has been fearless when it comes to making trades. His seven-player deal with the Calgary Flames brought in Phaneuf, who is now the Leafs captain and his acquisition of Kessel cost the team two first round draft picks. While both trades have been met with criticism at one point or another, the rewards are being reaped on the ice this season. "Ive made lots of mistakes in my career. Id be the first to admit it. Ive made some awful trades, but it doesnt matter if you make enough good trades and your team gets better and you draft well," said Burke. "Youre gonna make mistakes and the people that have success are the people who ignore the mistakes or fix them, but arent afraid to make deals because theyre afraid theyre going to make a mistake." Kessel leads the league in both goals (16) and points (31) and looks every bit the part of the franchise player Burke thought he would be. Burke refers to Kessel as a 200-foot, 60-minute player, which is a player you can use anywhere on the ice at any point in time. "With his shoulder surgery and his cancer, he had two summers where he wasnt able to prepare properly," explained Burke. "Last year was the first year where he was able to put in the time he needed to come in in proper condition. I think the rest of what youre seeing is just the maturation of a young player with exceptional ability starting to figure it out." "He made a major commitment late in the season to being that player and we think just hes come back this season and built on that." As it stands, the Maple Leafs are on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004 and despite struggling the past two seasons under his direction, it appears Toronto is now trending upwards thanks to Burke. -With files from TSNs Sheri Forde.  Sealver Siliga Patriots Jersey . "It is my feeling the club is at a stage that is critical to our on-field expectations and this move was necessary," Hervey told a news gathering hours after he informed Reed he was gone after three years as head coach. Tedy Bruschi Patriots Jersey . Fifth-seeded Cilic gained his fourth title in Zagreb and became the third Croat overall to win at least 10 career titles. Cilic also lifted his career record in Zagreb to 22-4, winning 20 of his last 21 matches at the event.HOUSTON -- Former baseball star Chuck Knoblauch has been charged with misdemeanour assault after authorities in Houston say he hit and pushed his ex-wife. Knoblauch was released on $10,000 bond. His first court date is set for July 30. The four-time All-Star previously served a year of probation after being convicted of hitting his previous wife in 2010. His latest run-in with the law prompted the Minnesota Twins to cancel Knoblauchs induction ceremony into the Twins Hall of Fame that was scheduled for Aug. 23. Knoblauch also played for the New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals during a 12-year career. He was set to be inducted into the Twins Hall of Fame in August. The Twins quickly cancelled those plans on Thursday. "There are no plans to reschedule," Twins President Dave St. Peter said. "I suppose over time this could be revisited, but at this time from the Twins organization perspective, we currently have no intent to reschedule."- Knoblauch was an elite second baseman for the Twins from 1991-1997, a four-time All-Star, the AL Rookie of the Year in 1991 and a Gold Glove winner. But Knoblauchs image in Minnesota took a serious hit in his final season here when he requested to be traded from a team that had fallen on hard times. He was sent to the Yankees in a deal that netted the Twins Eric Milton and Cristian Guzman, but many fans never forgave him. Knoblauch was the subject of merciless heckling every time he returned to Minnesota with the Yankkees, including one game in 2001 that had to be stopped briefly when fans threw things at him while he played in left field. Tom Brady Blue Jersey. He also struggled with drug problems and had issues with the law, but had been in close contact with the Twins since being voted into the teams hall in January. "He had certainly expressed to me he was in a different place in his life," St. Peter said. "He had learned from a variety of mistakes he had made in his life and he was looking forward to re-establishing a relationship with a lot of his teammates from his time in Minnesota, from people in the front office and, most importantly, with our fans. I know today thats something that he needs to deal with and hes very disappointed that that opportunity, at least in the short term, is not going to happen." Knoblauch was voted into the Twins hall by a committee of voters that included some Twins employees and former players but also media members in the area. Knoblauch will not be listed as a member of the teams Hall of Fame and he will not have a plaque to commemorate the honour with the other members outside Target Field. St. Peter said he cast a vote for Knoblauch on the ballot. "I strongly had the belief that he was in a different place and that he had made amends and was looking forward to being a better husband and a better dad," St. Peter said. "Obviously we need to see what transpires, but its disappointing, to say the least." cheap jerseys cheap jerseys from china ' ' '