California Seals

Leafs At Another Crossroad

TORONTO (June 24) — In the course of 99 years, there have been myriad turning points for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Three, in particular, stand out to this day… with Auston Matthews in the on–deck circle. The most significant factors… Read More

Leafs–Marlies Bond A Throwback

TORONTO (May 16) — Back in time, it was major–junior hockey. Today, it is minor–professional. Only the name has been constant — the Toronto Marlies. Young fans near and far may not realize the American Hockey League’s best team this… Read More

It Is The Blues’ Turn — Finally

TORONTO (May 11) — You may or may not be reading it here for the first time. But, I’m going to write it for the first time: When National Hockey League commissioner Gary Bettman presents the 2016 Stanley Cup next… Read More

Leafs Are Still Two Bricks Shy

TORONTO (Apr. 11) — The question was raised to all parties involved with the Toronto Maple Leafs: “How much longer?” As in, “when can we expect the turn toward contention?” Quite a loaded inquiry, I submit, of the 30th–place club… Read More

Will “Demoted” Marlies Stay Hungry?

TORONTO (Apr. 6) — Once the Maple Leafs finish their National Hockey League schedule on Saturday in New Jersey, many eyes around here will focus on the American Hockey League Toronto Marlies. Freshly re–stocked with returning players from the NHL,… Read More

Babcock Keeping It Real

TORONTO (Mar. 21) — The coach knows best. In a city that gets carried away with the slightest hint of prosperity from the Toronto Maple Leafs — often irrespective of circumstance — Mike Babcock is a grounding agent. A modest,… Read More

Do The Leafs Have Their Next Captain?

TORONTO (Mar. 3) — There may be an unspoken element among the players acquired by Lou Lamoriello in the days before the National Hockey League trade deadline. Given the Maple Leafs prevail in a vacuum of leadership, perhaps the long–time… Read More

Toronto Maple Leafs 1967–68: Part 1

TORONTO (Feb. 25) — It was 50 years ago this month that the National Hockey League undertook the most ambitious project of all time in professional sport — agreeing to double in size from six to 12 teams. This came… Read More

Hunt For The Original Cam Newton

TORONTO (Jan. 30) — Next weekend, in Santa Clara, Calif., the eyes of the football world will gaze upon its brightest young star as 26–year–old Cam Newton of Atlanta quarterbacks the favored Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos in Super… Read More

Three More For The “Row”

TORONTO (Jan. 23) — It is called Legends Row — the medley of bronze statues on the west plaza of Air Canada Centre commemorating, subjectively, the greatest of all Toronto Maple Leafs. In the not–too–distant future, it might have to… Read More

Leafs Should Trade Bernier

TORONTO (Nov. 16) — This is going nowhere… much like a sports Sunday that had “Toronto” written all over it: Argos cough up a 12–point lead and lose a playoff game at Hamilton with no time left on the clock.… Read More

Debunking My Own Myth

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (July 26) — Perhaps I’ve been caught drinking the Kool Aid. Though it is mid–summer, and thirst can become pervasive, I’ve normally strayed from gulping blue–and–white beverage. But, maybe not this time. In my Friday blog,… Read More

Nothing But Vault

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

Leafs Goaltending Probably Intact

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Mar. 22) — With the Maple Leafs apparently in the midst of a cataclysmic overhaul, the club’s most important position could look familiar next season. Goalies Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer are tethered to the Leafs… Read More

To Peter Horachek: I Was Wrong

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Mar. 20) — On the afternoon of Feb. 7, after another dreadful, unresponsive performance at New Jersey the previous night, I wrote in this space that the Maple Leafs should fire their second coach in just… Read More

Shanahan’s Missed Opportunity?

In my view, a perfect candidate [to replace Randy Carlyle] came available today. If there’s a coach in the NHL that has gotten more out of less for the past 15 years than Barry Trotz, I’m not aware of him. … Read More

NHL Expansion Could Be a Hoot

In the middle of last week, National Hockey League deputy commissioner Bill Daly denied a report suggesting four expansion teams would be added for the NHL’s 100th anniversary season – 2016-17. Given the usual context of denial, this indicated expansion … Read More

Leafs Legend: “It’s All About Respect”

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Oct. 7) – I had one of those moments today that I never take for granted and absolutely never grow old – a chance to sit down and talk with a player and a gentleman I… Read More