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The Tavares/Matthews Conundrum

TORONTO (May 21) — Thinking logically, one would have to assume that any overture the Maple Leafs are considering for John Tavares — should he opt to leave the New York Islanders as an unrestricted free agent this summer —… Read More

What Would the ‘POTUS’ Have Done?

TORONTO (Nov. 17) — Thank goodness Donald Trump isn’t a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs (assuming, of course, the United States president has heard of the Maple Leafs). He would have had a field day on Twitter. As for… Read More

The FAN–590 is 25 today

TORONTO (Sep. 4) — The names have changed with ownership and the unquestioned priority of television over radio — from CJCL AM–1430 to The Fan–1430; The FAN–590; Sportsnet Radio The FAN–590 and, today, Sportsnet–590 The FAN. What will never change… Read More

The Bozak–JVR Enigma

TORONTO (July 18) — It is rather puzzling that people who observe the Leafs for a living, and those that root for the club with their entire soul, have lost appreciation for veterans Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk. Particularly… Read More

Kessel Was Full Value, But…

TORONTO (June 14) — Fans of the Maple Leafs should not begrudge Phil Kessel for raising the Stanley Cup. Kessel was hardly a passenger in the 2016 playoffs, leading Pittsburgh in scoring with 10 goals and 22 points. It proved… Read More

Easy Answer to Rogers NHL Ratings

TORONTO (May 31) — The article was prolific and thoroughly–researched. It had all the earmarks of a story written by James Bradshaw, the Globe and Mail’s exceptional media reporter. It was also mightily complicated and replete with industry conjecture… Read More

Worst Leafs Team: 1982 or Today?

TORONTO (Feb. 27) — Lou Lamoriello has two days to answer, unequivocally, the question posed here; to further deplete what could be the most impotent club in the 99–year history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Honestly? I like his chances.… Read More

Ron Wilson, Where Are You?

TORONTO (Dec. 2) — As I write, today, I am repeatedly checking the “live look” website of Mount Rushmore to note which president (George Washington or Abe Lincoln) will stand beside the Garret Sparks carving. Upon news of the historic,… Read More

While I’m Thinking of It…

TORONTO (Nov. 24) — Some random observations for a Tuesday night: I will hardly break news by identifying the resiliency of the hockey market here in Toronto. While there’s a limit to just about everything in life, no–such boundary exists… Read More

More Lessons Learned

TORONTO (Oct. 29) — It began when I was 10 years old… on a Sunday night in April 1969. I had just attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup quarterfinal series between Toronto and Boston at Maple Leaf Gardens with… Read More

Second Toronto NHL Team Any Closer?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (June 25) — Gary Bettman has long been careful with the word “expansion” and is not in the habit of calling news gatherings to deliberate the topic. Given that he did both on Wednesday afternoon in… Read More

Leafs Deserve Full, Unconditional Credit

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (May 21) — For reasons that aren’t difficult to comprehend, the Toronto Maple Leafs and skepticism have long–been intertwined. When you hold the existing record for lengthiest championship drought in a professional league, distrust and apprehension… Read More

Is Leafs Hierarchy Set in Stone?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 31) — Beneath the grim acknowledgement that another hockey season has withered away was a seminal column this week authored by prolific TSN storyteller Rick Westhead, outlining that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has chosen… Read More

Maple Leafs Carousel Continues

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Jan. 6) — If at first you don’t succeed, try 19 more times. That may not sound particularly functional but how often, in nearly half–a–century, has such a term been applied to the Toronto Maple Leafs?… Read More

Leiweke Is Nobody’s Fool

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Sep. 15) – The dictionary draws a bold line between the definition of a “fool” and the act of being “foolish.” A fool is a “silly or stupid person.” A foolish individual “shows a lack of… Read More

Toronto Ownership Blahs – Part 1

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Sep. 4) – The tale of professional sporting woe in this city has continued unabated through the winter, spring and summer months of 2014 with a few different twists and turns, but the same result: Mediocrity… Read More

What Happens After Leiweke?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Aug. 22) – So, Tim Leiweke hangs around long enough as CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to oversee structural and cultural change in the hockey department. He bids adieu, ideally in his mind, with… Read More

Leafs Undergoing Enormous Change

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Aug. 21) – As training camp for the 2014-15 National Hockey League season approaches, the Toronto Maple Leafs are changing in an unprecedented way. Any such transformation on the ice would naturally be welcomed by fans… Read More