It’s been 20 years since Brian Burke’s wheeling and dealing brought the Sedins to Vancouver
Remembering 1999, the year Burke bagged the Sedin twins
Brian Burke’s bravado and brash behaviour are legendary.
So was a bullish belief that he could orchestrate a complicated chain of circus-like events that included picks, promises and even threats to mark one of the most dramatic moments in the history of the Vancouver Canucks.
Acquiring Daniel and Henrik Sedin as second- and third-overall picks in the 1999 draft — a first round that the former Canucks general manager labelled “a dog’s breakfast”— isn’t only fondly remembered because of what the Sedins would become as elite players and champions of charitable causes. It’s also remembered for the manic level of manoeuvring that won’t be replaced when the 2019 NHL Draft is held Friday and Saturday at Rogers Arena.
“Teams are reluctant to trade those high picks and the Sedin deal really hurt the market because it came out so well for Vancouver,” recalled Burke, who’s working this draft as an analyst.
“You’ve seen very little movement with the top pick since then. That’s because it (1999) was the worst first round in the history of the draft. That’s the only reason teams were willing to move picks.
“That not true with this draft — this is an excellent draft.”
It’s why Jim Benning isn’t expected to part with the 10th-overall selection because the Canucks’ current GM believes depth of talent will allow him to secure a future core player. And the cost of even moving up a few spots — swapping first-round picks and surrendering a second — is too risky because Benning is buoyed by prospects who may still be on the board with his second-round (40th) and third-round (71st) choices Saturday.
“I know when you have the draft in your building there’s a temptation to move up and make some noise and do all those things — it would be cool,” added Burke. “In getting ready for this draft, I’ve talked to 10 general managers who are just raving about it.
“I would be shocked if anybody moved high picks. The magic number is No. 11 or 12 and teams feel after that the next 15 picks you could pick out of a hat. They think there’s a wedge at 11 or 12 — and that obviously depends on the GM picking.”
What made the Sedins’ scenario come to draft fruition was Burke’s willingness to listen to reason, which is hard for the stubborn Irishman, and put his faith in those around him — especially scout Thomas Gradin.
“Thomas was on the Sedins the summer before their draft, so it was the perfect storm,” stressed Burke. “We had a scout who believed in them, a terrible first round (1999) and teams that didn’t go to the world championship. They only had the World Juniors to judge from.”
Still, it took convincing to get Burke on-board. He knew the twins wanted to play together and there was speculation one would opt out of the 1999 draft with the hope that a year later the club that picked one twin would manoeuvre to land the other. And when that died down, other concerns arose.
“After the world junior, I told our scouts I’m trading our pick because I was so disgusted with the first round." said Burke. "Gradin said you’ve got to come over and watch them again (at the worlds). He insisted. I said I would and we can let this garbage go. And that was the first tournament where they did all this twins stuff where you could see the special way they had.
“And that’s when I said we’ve got to get them.”
As great as the Sedin were in 17 NHL seasons to establish franchise records for goals (Daniel 393), assists (Henrik 830) and points (Henrik 1,070) — their leaguewide impact was immense. In 2010, Henrik captured the Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader with 112 points (29-83) and the Hart Trophy as most valuable player.
In 2011, Daniel won the Art Ross with 104 points (41-63) and the Ted Lindsay Award as most outstanding performer as voted by the players. Henrik was also honoured with the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for leadership in 201516 and the twins shared the award in 2017-18.
Last month, they were inducted into the B.C. Sports Hall of Fame, and next season, their numbers will be retired by the Canucks.
“Two guys deserve credit for the Sedins' success,” said Burke. “Gradin and Marc Crawford, who turned them into players, because he did a really good job and played them when they weren't putting up numbers. He was patient and protected them.” And they needed protection.
There was a lukewarm response to landing the Sedins because Burke had to part with a prized pick and defenceman Bryan McCabe. And when the twins stayed another year in the Swedish Hockey League with MoDo — while 1999 first-overall pick Patrik Stefan was finding his way with the Atlanta Thrashers — Burke was in the critical crosshairs.
“The move was not greeted with enthusiasm,” recalled Burke. “And the media's reaction was we'll give Burke high marks for being clever, but it (the value) is far from clear. Everyone loved McCabe and so did I. It broke my heart to trade him — he was at the peak of his career. But it was the right call.”
Burke had to make another tough call last year. When the twins played their final NHL game on April 7, 2018, in Edmonton, the Calgary Flames were hosting the Vegas Golden Knights.
Burke's heart was in Edmonton, but his gut told him the optics of the Flames' president of hockey operations not being at the Saddledome that night would have been wrong.
“I didn't go and I didn't ask them for anything,” said Burke. “Then I got a box couriered and there was a signed sweater from each of them with a note on the back that said: ‘Thanks for making our journey possible and thanks for making it happen.'
“And when I came in when Nazzy (Markus Naslund) had his number retired (2010), as I was leaving the ice, the twins stepped off the bench and kind of hugged me. I said: 'The next two numbers going up there are yours.' ”