Article content

Brian Burke didn’t do the Calgary Flames any favours Wednesday.

Yes, he told the truth.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Francis: Burke chose wrong time to threaten a Flames move if new arena isn't built Back to video

Like it or not, that’s what Burke is all about — no veneer, just straight from the hip.

But indeed, the Calgary Flames could ultimately go the way of the Quebec Nordiques or the Seattle Supersonics if the team doesn’t get a new arena deal relatively soon.

That’s not breaking news.

But at a critical juncture in the closed-door talks between the Flames and the city over a new rink, it is bombast like Burke’s that will help ensure relocation.

The timing of his comments couldn’t have been worse.

The clock is ticking down on the possibility of city council tabling a response to the Flames’ funding proposal for a Plan B arena in Victoria Park. If it’s not done before the last council meeting July 31, it will have to wait until well after the civic election in mid-October.

What Burke might not have known, because he hasn’t been involved in any of the dozens of meetings team president Ken King has had with city officials the last six months, is that council is on the verge of determining and announcing what level of play they’re prepared to be involved in.