2020

Big Zed or Jumbo Joe?

***THIS QUESTION WAS ANSWERED LATE TODAY WHEN THE LEAFS SIGNED JOE THORNTON FOR ONE YEAR. BUT, THE MORE IMPOSING PLAYER IS STILL OUT THERE.*** TORONTO (Oct. 16) — While filling out their roster for next season, the Maple Leafs could… Read More

The Verdict From Leafs Nation

TORONTO (Oct. 14) — The off–season makeover (to this point) encompassed five days. Departing from the 2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs, among regulars, were Tyson Barrie, Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, Frederick Gauthier, Cody Ceci and Kyle Clifford. Coming aboard are Wayne… Read More

Is Lehtonen the Leafs’ Dark–horse?

TORONTO (Oct. 11) — Given the time of year, when unrestricted free agents in the National Hockey League can switch teams, fans of the Maple Leafs will read and hear lots this week about T.J. Brodie and Zach Bogosian, both… Read More

Why Do Players Choose Toronto?

TORONTO (Oct. 10) — Welcome to the city where good defensemen come to die. Or, at least, to incur serious illness. The city in which Thomas James Brodie has elected to ply his trade for the next four years. It… Read More

It’s Simple: Leafs Are Doing All They Can

TORONTO (Oct. 9) — There is no real mystery. Kyle Dubas, general manager of the Leafs, made a couple of moves on Friday that conform to his self–inflicted cap crisis. So long as John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and… Read More

The Anti–Jenny Craig Approach

TORONTO (Oct. 8) — Perhaps the answer is subliminal. Someone in the family of Kyle Dubas watched MIDGET wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in the 1960’s. Or, a favorite uncle worshipped the undefeated Miami Dolphins of 1972 and Hall–of–Fame guard… Read More

Soo Reunion in Goal For Leafs?

TORONTO (Oct. 4) — Over the past few days, I have warmed to the notion of Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas re–uniting with the goalie tandem from his first season running the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario… Read More

If Donald Trump Ran the Leafs

TORONTO (Oct. 3) — Transcript of today’s media briefing from the Bullsh** Room at Mara–Lago Arena: LEAFS MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR KAYLEIGH KEOUGH: Thank–you for assembling here on short notice. A couple of requests… we ask that you sit, wherever possible,… Read More

Parayko, Dumba Leafs’ D Targets

TORONTO (Oct. 1) — With unrestricted free agency in the National Hockey League around the corner, many observers in this part of the world will continue to fantasize about Alex Pietrangelo joining the Toronto Maple Leafs. Which isn’t entirely out… Read More

No Way Leafs Can Trade Marner

TORONTO (Sep. 29) — Even a casual fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs should be able to answer this question rather quickly: What do Dave Keon, Tim Horton, Frank Mahovlich, Darryl Sittler, Lanny McDonald, Borje Salming, Rick Vaive, Wendel Clark,… Read More

Blades Up, Zorro!

TORONTO (Sep. 24) — My old hockey traveling pal, Mark Zwolinski, doesn’t believe a word I say. Or, write. Never really has. I believed him, once, and nearly lapsed into Civil War with the 2001–02 Toronto Maple Leafs, featuring Darcy… Read More

The Captain at 70

TORONTO (Sep. 18) — Darryl Sittler has me by 8½ years and, probably, a couple of million dollars. Not to mention more than two generations of hockey fans that remember his mostly exceptional era as captain of the Toronto Maple… Read More

Final Chapter Not Yet Written

TORONTO (Sep. 15) — It has not been a pleasant five weeks for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans. Since being eliminated, Aug. 9, in Game 5 of a qualifying Stanley Cup round by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the… Read More

Do We Need National Anthems?

TORONTO (Sep. 12) — Whether or not you agree with the cause, there is no question the United States national anthem is being exploited when played prior to sporting events. The cause, of course, is the Black Lives Matter movement,… Read More

Michael Hutchinson? Gimme a Break

TORONTO (Sep. 4) — I honestly counted hours toward the inevitable. Under the category “any goalie can get hot in a brief span,” there was Michael Hutchinson — good guy but failed back-up everywhere in his career — earning a… Read More

Leafs Will Replace Andersen

TORONTO (Sep. 2) — To their credit, the Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to avoid insanity. You know… doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result. The club has been down that path on three occasions… Read More

Give The NHL A Break

TORONTO (Aug. 29) — I assume that I’m in the overwhelming minority; perhaps even alone on an island. But, I had no problem with the National Hockey League continuing its Stanley Cup schedule on Wednesday night, after players in the… Read More

Burke Could Be Last Man Standing

**BREAKING (Aug. 22, 8 p.m. EDT): MIKE MILBURY HAS BEEN EXCUSED BY NBC SPORTS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR’S STANLEY CUP TOURNAMENT.** TORONTO (Aug. 22) — As of this morning, Mike Milbury was still employed as a hockey analyst… Read More