By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 31) – For passionate hockey fans, these are the so-called “dog days of summer”, when perpetual news and opinion about the game slows to a trickle. In this city, of course, even the most banal … Read More
RE-POST: FROM JANUARY 2012
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 21) – The proliferation of “throw-back” jerseys in the National Hockey League began in 1991-92, when the six pre-expansion teams (Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Montreal, New York Rangers, Toronto) celebrated the NHL’s… Read More
“I may not have a lot to give but what I’ve got I’ll give to you.” – The Beatles [All My Loving]By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 29) – As I watched the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 … Read More
***PRIOR TO LAST HOCKEY SEASON AND DEVELOPMENT OF MY WEB-SITE, I POSTED A NUMBER OF BLOGS PERTAINING TO MY COLLECTION OF SPORTS AND NEWS PUBLICATIONS. I’VE HAD SEVERAL REQUESTS TO RE-POST ON THIS SITE, AND I’M HAPPY TO SHARE MY … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERLOS ANGELES (July 23) – Let me begin this blog with a statement of fact that I ardently hope will curb the hysterical tone of emails flooding my Blackberry in-box: the Toronto Maple Leafs were involved in … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERLOS ANGELES (July 19) – Though Brian Burke told Sportsnet-590 a couple of weeks ago he had tepid interest in acquiring another young goalie, there is likely no practical option for the Leafs general manager. The net-minding … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 10) – The difficulty Brian Burke faces in trying to improve the dreadful Maple Leafs is fundamental: there isn’t enough quality or depth at any position on the hockey club. In Burke’s quest, therefore, to … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 8th) – Debating the transaction that brought Phil Kessel to the Maple Leafs from the Bruins on Sep. 18, 2009 is a pastime in this hockey-crazed environment, even though the returns are practically unassailable. During … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 5) – Several hours after the National Hockey League’s king of goaltenders re-signed with the New Jersey Devils last week, I spoke to one of the more prominent executives in the game and was told … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 4) – I just received a copy of a book that might easily become the most compelling and meaningful volume related to hockey since Ken Dryden released The Game in 1979. Published and written by … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (July 2) – When Brian Burke met with reporters late Sunday afternoon, he made a remark that has become nothing less than a mantra – one of several patented in recent years – and a claim … Read More
Will The Leafs Be Next?
The Funeral of Hope
The Tavares/Matthews Conundrum
Leafs Kept Their Promise
Smoke and Mirrors Around Here
Laine or Auston? What About Lou?
Only Burke Can Replace Cherry
And the Wait Continues
Freddy Had Nothing Left
No One Has A Clue
Sliver of Light After a Dark Day
Nothing Odd About Leafs/Bruins
Leafs Need To Rinse and Repeat
It’s Babcock Time
Bruins’ Work Still Not Done
Leafs–Bruins on Razor’s Edge
We’re Watching 2nd–Best Leafs Ever
That Brush-Cut Kid Is 70
Tavares: Islanders, Leafs… or Knights?
25 Years Later, It Could Be Special
Leafs GM Chatter Intriguing
Freddy Needs Rest, Not Rhythm
Maybe Leafs Are Good Enough
Leafs “Can Have McDonagh”
Blue Liner(s) On The Way?
Leafs Should Go For The Jugular
Why Would The Leafs Trade JVR?
Could Leafs Pull a Trade Shocker?
We’ve Seen It All Before (sigh)
Babcock’s Honeymoon Has Ended
Leafs Could Still Re–Make
Bruce Hood: 1936–2018
Leafs Need to Pick it Up
67 Since ’67
Orr: “Never A Bad Word”