TORONTO (Dec. 26) — Given his advanced age, it’s a day we understood was going to come, sooner or later. Thankfully for the untold thousands of people that knew Johnny Bower, it was later. Much later.
The most beloved figure… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 30) — So, if we were warned — two months ago today — that William Nylander and Mitch Marner would succumb to the usual sophomore difficulty (a combined six goals in 26 games); that Auston Matthews would miss… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 2) — Early Thursday morning, in the Houston Chronicle, baseball writer Jake Kaplan penned the opening paragraphs to his lead story about the 2017 World Series champion:
LOS ANGELES — Six years ago, Jeff Luhnow pitched Astros owner … Read More
TORONTO (June 29) — Depending on which faction you are most drawn to, there is either unvarnished glee or abject disappointment over Glenn Healy’s departure this week from Hockey Night In Canada.
Typically, there is no ambivalence.
And, that is… Read More
TORONTO (June 27) — Through decades of failure, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been brilliant at selling Kool Aid to their followers. Year after year, gallons of the sugary liquid are consumed by the National Hockey League’s most dehydrated market.… Read More
TORONTO (June 10) — The news came after a morning visit to the doctor. Delivered by his grandson and name–sake. “I’d gotten a call from Sportsnet while Grandpa was out,” said Johnny Bower III, in town from his home in… Read More
TORONTO (May 25) — One of my early hockey memories on TV was the night of Apr. 24, 1969. I was ten years old and I still recall watching Game 6 of the Stanley Cup semifinals at the Boston Garden… Read More
TORONTO (May 1) — Remember all those exciting moments in mid–March, Leaf fans? How your team — boosted by the call–ups of William Nylander, Nikita Soshnikov, Zach Hyman and others — embarked on a no–pressure, 6–2–1 streak over nine games?… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 21) — If you’re an avid follower of the Toronto Maple Leafs, you will recognize the two most significant games played by your hockey club in the past ten years. Clearly, and despite the ignominious result, Game 7… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 8) — Neither on his death–bed nor at gunpoint would Lou Lamoriello admit what is now certain — that he’d be content with a regulation–time loss against his former club in Newark on Saturday.
One can only imagine… 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. 29) — The plight of former National Hockey League referee Ron Wicks has engendered an outpouring of sympathy and prayer within and beyond the world of ice and pucks.
Having become a dear friend over the past two… Read More
TORONTO (Mar. 23) — Eastern Canada is safe from the Toronto Maple Leafs but the prairies, foothills and coastal regions are deeply imperiled. The National Hockey League’s dandiest outfit north of the border could soon become third–best in the nation.… 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. 15) — Lou Lamoriello made it clear last week that he has no qualms about burning through a year of entry–level contractual authority over William Nylander. As such, and though it appears somewhat wasteful, the Toronto Maple Leafs… 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 (Feb. 8) — Corralling a company secret from Lou Lamoriello is the rough equivalent of a dentist trying to pull a tooth from a live shark. It may not be as hazardous, but you’ll achieve the same result.
Back… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 28) — “T’is the season to be ghastly… “
Yes, indeed, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for a second consecutive year, have taken the post–holiday “blues” to an entirely different level. In their final ten games of January —… Read More
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”
Simply The Nicest Man
Are Leafs Better Than Last Year?
Could NHL Expand to 34 Teams?
To Leafs: Karlsson, Doughty or OEL?
Will Freddy Fade?
To Gregg Zaun and Others: Why?
Are Leafs Using Smoke and Mirrors?