When the Toronto Maple Leafs interviewed Kenny Ryan at the NHL draft combine earlier this month, they asked him if given the choice between U. S. President Barack Obama, Russian tennis beauty Maria Sharapova and pesky New York Rangers forward Sean Avery, whom would the 18-year-old choose to take to lunch.

Ryan did not think twice about the question. He answered Avery.

"He's an interesting player," Ryan said. "He's a heck of a hockey player. Some of the things he does, I'd like to go around with him for the day and see what he's thinking about."

It was that kind of response that ultimately convinced general manager Brian Burke to select Ryan with the team's second pick (50th overall) on Saturday to kick off the second day of the NHL Draft at the Bell Centre.

Ever since he was hired by the Leafs last December, Burke has made it his mission to make the team bigger, meaner and tougher. This weekend, he took a step toward that goal by ignoring skilled Europeans and selecting North Americans with equal parts of "pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence.

"This won't address our immediate need for size and toughness. We'll do that later in the summer," said Burke, who added that most of the drafted players are three to four years away from potentially playing in the NHL.

"But I think people should read into it that we are not just talking the talk about this.

We're going to be bigger and cruder."

While London Knights forward Nazem Kadri, who the Leafs selected seventh overall on Friday, is an offensively gifted player with the potential to be a top-six forward, Burke described the rest of his selections as "pick-and-shovel men."

They include the following: - Ryan of Franklin, Mich., a six-foot, 204-pound forward who has committed to Boston University next season. - Jesse Blacker of Toronto, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound defenceman selected in the second round (59th overall) who won a Memorial Cup with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires this season. - Jamie Devane of Mississauga, Ont., a 6-foot-4, 212-pound forward who fought 18 times with the WHL's Plymouth Whalers this season. He was chosen in the third round at No. 68. - Eric Knodel of West Chester, Pa., (fifth round, 128th overall), a 6-foot-6, 216-pound defenceman who is expected to play with the Des Moines Buccaneers in the USHL junior league. - Jerry D'Amigo of Binghamton, N. Y., a 5-foot-11, 196-pound forward picked in the sixth round (158th overall) who will be attending Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. - Barren Smith of Hinsdale, Ill, a 6-foot-4, 191-pound defenceman chosen in the seventh round (188th overall) and the son of former NHLer Steve Smith.

Burke, who was unable to make a big splash by trading up to select John Tavares or Brayden Schenn, seemed pleased with his picks.

"Everyone's happy after the draft," he said.

"Every player that you take is going to play and the team is undefeated since the season ended. It's a day of hope, or two days of hope. And the reality doesn't kick in until you get a couple of years down the road. So we're happy. But if you ask that question, 29 other teams are happy, too. We'll know how this draft works out in probably four years."

The Toronto GM hopes to make some immediate improvements to his roster once the July 1 free agency period begins. Burke said the Leafs would pursue players who fit into the same criteria he used for the draft. So expect him to try to sign Ottawa grinder Chris Neil rather than the Calgary sniper Mike Cammalleri.

With Chris Pronger off the market and Calgary getting the first chance at signing potential unrestricted free agent Jay Bouwmeester, trade talks should start to heat up again for defenceman Tomas Kaberle.

"I predict that my phone is going to start ringing on Monday," said Burke, who was offered Boston's Phil Kessel in a potential deal.

"I'm going to reiterate though, this is a good person and a good person at a good number. And we're not going to trade him unless someone blows our doors off. This is a guy that I expect will be back. But we will listen."

Burke is also waiting to hear back from Jonas Gustavsson, the coveted free agent goalie from Sweden who is expected to decide whether to play for the Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks or Dallas Stars next season. The Swede's decision, which could come as early as this week, could determine whether Toronto re-signs goaltending prospect Justin Pogge.

"This is a difficult thing for Justin Pogge," Burke said. "For this young man ... to sit and wait for us to make up our mind I'm not proud of that fact and I'm not happy about that fact. And I feel for this kid.

"Unfortunately, that's the flip side of this business. I don't know what we're going to do."