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
The Bozak–JVR Enigma
Leafs Bring Aboard Good People
The Nylander vs. Marner Argument
Leafs Should Hound Chayka
War of the Worlds — Leafs Edition
Shanaplan Goes Boom!
Leafs Shouldn’t Get Too Cocky
Of Course, Leafs Can Stand Pat
Leafs Must Have a Plan
Leafs Refused To Get Silly
Leafs Will Improve… Won’t They?
Leafs Thinking Outside The Box
The Flawed Matthews Argument
Leafs Should Have a Captain
Credibility x 2
Still The Most Compelling
No Tears For The Ex–Leafs
Staying Ahead of Crohn’s
Should Matthews Sprout Wings?
Shanaplan Worked, But It’s Over
Pillar’s Lamentable Choice
A Humorous (Pathetic?) Stat
Ottawa vs. Nashville For Cup
Leafs’ Old Nucleus Still Alive
Leaf Fans: “Forget Doughty”
Would Leafs Pursue a Blockbuster?
Leafs Are Next to 50
Guess What? Cujo is 50
Leafs Can Still Land a Gem
Does The Shanaplan Prevail?
Tip Your Hat to the Caps
It’s Babcock Time
Don’t Count ‘Em Out
Staying With Leafs in 6
Freddy Wasn’t Ready