The Morning Bell for Thursday February 23, 2012

Today's ringer: Illy coffee

I'm enjoying one right now. It rings my bell every morning. Drip drip drip in my cup cup cup. Read that as if you were Maya Angelou. It'll be awesome.

The bottom feeders of the East are without a doubt on a joint mission to outcrap themselves. It's as if they have called a collective suck-o-thon and they all want to cross the tape first, er, or last...

Deals are not being made right now, at least not at the pace one could expect so we can anticipate a busy deadline day.

You wanna hear something fun and interesting and everything Pierre Gauthier is not? Listen to a 17-minute interview Brian Burke gave to TSN Radio yesterday. 17 MINUTES. He answered every question head on. He gave insight about the dynamics of negotiating with GMs in the league. He discussed his personality. Nothing was off limits. Nothing vague and secretive and we run our team like we're high and mighty aristocrats. It's a freaking hockey team. Get over yourselves. Brian Burke can buy me a Guiness any day. Heck he can even kiss me on the lips for a split second. Wait...no he can't.

Will AK46 depart this city in the next few hours? Sure, let's unload him when his value is at an all-time low. Or is it high? Heck with AK you never know anymore. I mean c'mon he's playing on your top line with Scott Gomez, he's gotta be worth something.

I love you, Brian Burke. I'll make duck à l'orange for you next time you're in town.