TORONTO (July 21) — The Toronto Argonauts have expired. Stick a fork in them. Offer up the Lord’s Prayer. Say Kaddish. Whatever you prefer. But, just know, this football team is the equivalent of Dead Men Walking.
As I forlornly… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 17) — As the Toronto Maple Leafs soar through the most stellar and meaningful hockey at this juncture of a season in 25 years, there remains the urge from within to allay expectation. To fundamentally minimize a remarkable,… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 28) — Two nights after enduring one of the most excruciating losses in its professional sports history, the city of Calgary welcomes a team from… Toronto. That’s right, the Maple Leafs invade the Scotiabank Saddledome later tonight, 48… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 31) — While watching the Maple Leafs get stunningly out–played by the San Jose Sharks in northern–California Monday night (the 3–2 final score did not reflect the lop–sided essence of the match), it occurred to me that the… 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 31) — With Leafs Nation ominously assuring itself that all draft components will remain in place beyond 2019, and media wondering if the addition of Patrick Marleau indicates the club is “going for it” now, here’s a question… Read More
TORONTO (July 26) — It’s no secret in National Hockey League circles that the New York Rangers are looking for a center; the Toronto Maple Leafs a defenseman. The Rangers are apparently dangling 30–year–old Nick Holden while the Leafs may… Read More
TORONTO (July 24) — Only once in the modern history of the Maple Leafs has a coach changed the position of an established star in the National Hockey League. The result was four Stanley Cup championships in a six–year span.… Read More
TORONTO (July 9) — It’s a subject that has the most fervid Leaf supporters in denial. Yet, there’s virtually no way around the fact that one of William Nylander or Mitch Marner will be traded before the hockey club can… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 16) — As is common in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Maple Leafs–Washington series will likely be determined by goaltending. And, there is virtually nothing to choose from between Frederik Andersen and Braden Holtby after two games —… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 24) — I had a swirl of mixed emotion this morning when the Toronto Argonauts announced the firing of long–time general manager Jim Barker. Part of me was upset for one of the genuinely nicest people I came… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Mar. 30) — Thowback Thursday’s and Flashback Friday’s, so popular among the Facebook crowd, have nothing on me. Particularly when I open the Berger Vault — decorative name for a metal–plated trunk with cedar–wood lining that… 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
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
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Nov. 26) – Oddly enough, in a city where champions come to die, there is life today.The first major-league conquest in Toronto since 2004 may not have been captured by the most popular team in … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Nov. 19) – It was the third week of November in 1982 and the Argonauts dominated every corner of this city.Could it happen again? We’ll soon find out.Though times have clearly changed over the … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Oct. 26) – Do not expect the Phoenix Coyotes, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, or any club bleeding red ink in the National Hockey League to re-locate here in the Greater Toronto Area. It has nothing … Read More
Leafs/Habs in New Territory
Rogers Needs to Sell the Blue Jays
Leafs Could Still Pounce
The Silence Is Deafening
Are Leafs, Blues Talking?
Fun (and Nostalgia) With The Leafs
The Argos Cannot Be Revived
Not… Good… Enough
The Erik Karlsson Dilemma
Let’s Go Through This Again
How Delusion Festers
Babcock Must ‘C’ This Through
Crazy 8’s Again For The Leafs
The Leafs Would Have to Trade
Tavares Hunt Narrowed to Three
Tavares “Could Easily” Be A Leaf
Just Imagine If…
Will The Leafs Be Next?
The Funeral of Hope
The Tavares/Matthews Conundrum
Leafs Kept Their Promise
Smoke and Mirrors Around Here
Laine or Auston? What About Lou?
Only Burke Can Replace Cherry
And the Wait Continues
Freddy Had Nothing Left
No One Has A Clue
Sliver of Light After a Dark Day
Nothing Odd About Leafs/Bruins
Leafs Need To Rinse and Repeat
It’s Babcock Time
Bruins’ Work Still Not Done
Leafs–Bruins on Razor’s Edge
We’re Watching 2nd–Best Leafs Ever
That Brush-Cut Kid Is 70