Brian Burke slams Toronto stars, claims that this player from the Core Four should get traded this summer

Brian Burke is an NHL legend but is currently without a job in the league since leaving the Pittsburgh Penguins. He served as president of hockey operations, but he was fired after a disappointing season, where the Penguins missed the playoffs for the first time since the beginning of the Crosby era.

Last week, it was announced that Burke returns to a role he’s had before. The NHL Network announce that Burke, as well as former Anaheim Ducks coach Dallas Eakins, will join their panel for the rest of the 2023 playoffs.

PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 23: President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke of the Pittsburgh Penguins attends the first round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft at PPG Paints Arena on July 23, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Ryan Yorgen/NHLI via Getty Images)

Before being hired by the Penguins, Burke worked as an analyst with SportsNet, and he’s generally known for always speaking his mind. And although he’s currently no longer in an NHL role, he’s still an influential voice in hockey.

During the last couple of weeks, there have been a lot of discussions about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

They were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs, and the four biggest stars, Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, And William Nylander, have been criticized heavily for their weak performances in the playoff.

Many believe the Maple Leafs need to change something in the lineup and perhaps even let one of the stars in the core four go. Now, Brian Burke shares his thoughts on who the organization should let go of.

”You gotta figure out two things. You gotta figure out what to do with Mitch Marner and if Auston Matthews wants to sign back in Toronto,” he said, according to House of Hockey.

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 27: Ryan O’Reilly #90 of the Toronto Maple Leafs talks with teammate Auston Matthews #34 during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Five of the First Round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on April 27, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

”If Matthews decides to resign. I’m saying that you probably have to trade Nylander first out of that group.

”Tavares has been a great guy; I don’t think he’s going anywhere. He’s a good guy; in general, he’s worked his ass off, and he’s a good player.”

Burke has previously criticized Toronto’s decision to give the four of the players hefty contracts, and now, perhaps he’s right in the opinion that somebody needs to go.

”I said it was a mistake the sequence they signed them and the amounts they paid them. The no trades the terms, I went after all of that every bit of it,” Burke said.

”Again it’s real simple, when things don’t work out. It’s real simple to say I told you, a lot of people didn’t. I said it in real time.”