TORONTO (Oct. 2) — Circumstance, over the past half–decade, has severely hampered objective coverage of the Toronto Maple Leafs by local and national media. That the Leafs are 75% owned by Bell Canada Enterprises and Rogers Communications presents the most–blatant… Read More
TORONTO (June 29) — Isn’t it deliciously coincidental that the home of the Maple Leafs, on the very day that John Tavares could choose to ply his trade on Bay St., changes title from an airline to a bank?
Yes… Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Dubas Isn’t Done
Leafs, Bruins Starting To Pull Away
Does Kyle Have Another Move?
Leafs Need One More Piece
Leafs’ Task is Somewhat Clear
Leafs–Blues “Still In Touch”
Babcock Needs a Playoff Win
Leafs Will Figure Something Out
So, Who Can Kyle Trade?
Wild Card–2 Best For The Leafs
Lock The Doors, Larry
Is Simmonds Worth Nylander?
Leafs Won’t Mortgage at Deadline
Andersen Situation Double–Edged
Time For Nylander To Pick It Up
Imagine Kyle Going Hard For The Prize
Leafs, Today, Are NHL’s Best
Rielly Closing the Gap — Finally
My Top 20 NHL Jerseys
Marner Will Be The Big Challenge
Grapes Slowing, But Still Poignant
Leafs Should Target Parayko
Matthews is Truly Remarkable
Leafs “Can” Do Whatever They Wish
Nylander Contract Fair (and Movable)
Leafs Record Great… And Bizarre
Dubas Needs To Act Fairly Soon
The Leafs Cannot Relax
Nylander Options Are Unappealing
Could Matthews Ever Go Home?
Of Course Nylander Will Be Dealt
Leafs Will Be Fine, Unless…
Home Lethargy Still Hard to Fathom
Can Dubas Make a Trade?
Too Early For Injury–Prone Label