TORONTO (Mar. 8) — With the National Hockey League trade deadline out of the way and the Toronto Maple Leafs comfortably in a playoff spot, Kyle Dubas is the flavor–of–the–week.
If you’re not sure who Kyle is, don’t fret. He’s… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 6) — In mid–November, as he lay struggling with cancer at a Guelph, Ont. hospital, Bruce Hood received a surprise visit from one of his favorite people on Earth.
Today — and sadly — Bruce and Johnny Bower… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 16) — One more chance. That’s all the Maple Leafs have without Auston Matthews.
One final opportunity — against New Jersey, tonight — to prove they can sh** the bed in the absence of their best player. “If… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 17) — Barring a protracted injury–absence, Auston Matthews will undoubtedly score between 50 and 60 goals this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Should be count 55, he’ll break the franchise record that Rick Vaive established in 1981–82.… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 27) — Yes, the headline here is a play–on–words and, perhaps, marginally inappropriate. But, laugh along with me, folks. Recent events, south of the 49th parallel, have been all–too serious.
What I’m asking, within the context of sport,… 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 (May 2) — It is far from the worst time since 1967 to remind fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs that their club, today, becomes the second to endure a calendar half–century without the Stanley Cup.
Yes, it was… Read More
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 (May 18) — I felt extraordinarily privileged on Tuesday afternoon.
Not only did I spend time with the most popular and beloved figure in Toronto Maple Leafs history (pretty cool for a decades–long hockey fan; radio–reporter and writer), but… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 29) — The Calgary Flames have sent their Irish good–luck charm to our town in an arcane attempt to wrest the 2016 National Hockey League draft lottery from the “favored” Toronto Maple Leafs.
His name? Brian Burke. And,… Read More
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (Dec. 29) — This wasn’t so much a Christmas–holiday trip as a pilgrimage.
For the second time in my life — and first with my son, Shane — I visited arguably the most hallowed spot in the history… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 14) — The “overachieving” Toronto Maple Leafs could resume play on Tuesday night dead–last in the National Hockey League standings. All it requires is Columbus getting to extra time at home against Tampa Bay on Monday for a… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Nov. 27) — The National Hockey League “family” — as it likes to be known — has lost three prominent members since Sunday.
Given his involvement in the game, professionally and internationally, the death of Pat… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Nov. 8) — The Los Angeles Dodgers, earlier this week, hired a 37-year-old Zaidi as their new general manager.Where I come from, that’s an awfully young Zaidi.You see, Zaidi (or Zaida) is a popular … Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Sep. 7) – Of all the storied names in Toronto Maple Leafs history, an argument can be made that the two living players most beloved by fans of all ages were honored outside the Air Canada… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 31) – Having posted a blog Wednesday with exterior images of old, wonderfully-worn Maple Leaf Gardens, I was asked – quite logically – how it looks from the inside. At BergerBytes.ca, you never have to… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Feb. 13) – To begin, let us wish Mats Sundin a happy 43rd birthday – the all-time Maple Leafs scoring leader, born in 1971, enjoying retirement at his palatial dwelling in Stockholm.
Proving again that time… Read More
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
Tavares: Islanders, Leafs… or Knights?
25 Years Later, It Could Be Special
Leafs GM Chatter Intriguing
Freddy Needs Rest, Not Rhythm
Maybe Leafs Are Good Enough
Leafs “Can Have McDonagh”
Blue Liner(s) On The Way?
Leafs Should Go For The Jugular
Why Would The Leafs Trade JVR?
Could Leafs Pull a Trade Shocker?
We’ve Seen It All Before (sigh)
Babcock’s Honeymoon Has Ended
Leafs Could Still Re–Make
Bruce Hood: 1936–2018
Leafs Need to Pick it Up
67 Since ’67
Orr: “Never A Bad Word”