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
Why All The Confusion?
Is The Herd Coming Around?
Pressure Mounting On The Leafs
Babcock Needs a Quick Start
Puzzling Leaps of Faith
Offer–Sheet All About Timing
Nylander Trade Too Logical
Columbus Dancing With Mitch
Was It Worth Our Prostitution?
Will Marner Follow Kawhi?
Leafs Going For a Three–Peat
Kadri Trade Good… and Bad
Trusted Back–Up Imperative
Too Much Emphasis on Forwards
Call it “Burkie’s Drive”
McCown The Biggest Casualty
Not Bigger, Just Smarter
We The Longest
Kadri For Trouba Intriguing
The Leafs Will Stand Alone
It’s Not About One Playoff Round
Why Even Go There?
End of An Era in Oakland
“I Was Gretzky… For A Day”
The Sound of Silence
Still Not Convinced
Was It The Leafs’ Biggest Gaffe?
Again — Why Not Rick?
A Big Moment… But How Big?
Flag Waving Has Started Early
The Laughable Maple Leafs
Talking Mike Babcock
Sittler, Kelly and Pyramid Power
It’s That Date Again
So, What Now, Leafs Nation?