TORONTO (Nov. 24) — Over–achievement? Moderate achievement? And, does it really matter?
These are questions that come to mind with respect to the Toronto Maple Leafs after 20 games of the 2016–17 National Hockey League season. Clearly, the team is… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 9) — In the realm of longevity, those Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup teams from the 1960’s will not go away. And, we thank the good Lord for that.
The latest in the group to join Club Octogenarian… Read More
TORONTO (July 20) — When Phil Kessel told Sportsnet–590 on June 15 that he would likely bring the Stanley Cup to our city, many figured his incentive was to stick it up the old wahzoo of Leafs Nation.
The multitudes… Read More
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 (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
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
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
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
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (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
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 (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
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