The entire course of history in Toronto would have changed had Brian Burke gotten his wish in the spring of 2009.



At the time, less than six months into his tenure as president and general manager of the Maple Leafs, Burke famously pronounced his intent to trade up for the first-overall pick in that June’s draft for the sole purpose of selecting John Tavares.



“It might involve you taking back some money as part of the deal, as far as taking a player back,” Burke said of what it might take to acquire the pick, which hadn’t yet been awarded to the New York Islanders. “It might involve your first, both seconds, who knows. It might involve a young player.”



Whatever the cost, Burke seemed to suggest, it was worth it for a player of Tavares’ potential. “I just think he’s a hell of a hockey player,” said the bombastic Burke.



Burke didn’t get his wish, of course, but now, nine years...