2013 November

There’s No Duplicating Coach’s Corner

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 30) – Why even try? An odd consensus seems to have formed since Tuesday’s blockbuster announcement that Rogers Communications will control Canadian TV rights to the National Hockey League for 12 years, beginning next season.… Read More

Firing Coach Not Advocated Here

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 29) – So, now I have a “vendetta” against Randy Carlyle. Yup, it’s right there on my Facebook page: a couple of “Friends” – Ted Barton and David Rubenstein – suggesting I’m out to get… Read More

Rogers Accomplishes Rare Feat

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 27) – I’ve got to hand it, big-time, to my former employer, Rogers Communications. There’s an age-old maxim that trumps every cliche known to man: “Action speaks louder than words.” Rarely, however, does one… Read More

Are Leafs Listening to Carlyle?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 26) – Yes, I’ll be the first to acknowledge the miserable timing of my blog from yesterday. Led-balloon items occasionally appear in this space and others. I am not, however, the least-bit concerned about James… Read More

Reimer Has Earned a Stretch

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 25) – While Randy Carlyle is loathe to anoint a pecking order among his two reliable goalies, circumstance may force him to periodically deviate from that plan. One such occasion is upon the coach right… Read More

Has Nonis Made a Mistake?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 23) – When considering the best general managers in the National Hockey League, where would you rank David Nonis of the Toronto Maple Leafs? Among GM’s currently employed, deference would have to belong – for… Read More

Leafs Missing Only “Stage” Wins

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 21) – Including injuries, the Toronto Maple Leafs have overcome every obstacle in their path during the first quarter of the National Hockey League season. Except for one. Though points earned in the standings may… Read More

Six Months Later

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 13) – When the puck drops just after 7:30 tonight at Xcel Energy Center between the Maple Leafs and Minnesota Wild, I seriously doubt Toronto winger Joffrey Lupul will be agonizing over the events of… Read More

Leafs Worst Game Since Before Lockout

By HOWARD BERGER VANCOUVER (Nov. 3) – No, the Maple Leafs did not sweep a western-Canada road trip for the first time since March 2000. In fact, it wasn’t even close. Leafs had a couple or three lousy performances in… Read More

Are Leafs Actually “Retiring” Numbers?

By HOWARD BERGER VANCOUVER (Nov. 2) – Tonight’s National Hockey League game here between the Canucks and Toronto Maple Leafs will be delayed for a ceremony in recognition of the most electrifying Vancouver player of all time: Pavel Bure. The… Read More

Maple Leafs Contented and Chirpy

By HOWARD BERGER VANCOUVER (Nov. 2) – I had a wonderful time here yesterday, covering hockey practice at Rogers Arena early in the afternoon; writing a story on James Reimer for the National Post later in the day and hooking… Read More

No Place Quite Like It

By HOWARD BERGER VANCOUVER (Nov. 1) – The more I visit this city, the more I grow to realize how preposterously unique it really is. Multiply that statement – on Halloween – by any number you wish. I spent nearly… Read More