Smoke and Mirrors Around Here

TORONTO (May 8) — Perhaps never in the professional sports annals of this city has a pair of clubs — 12 nights apart — rendered the six–month–long regular season so thoroughly pointless. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, after… Read More

67 Since ’67

TORONTO (Dec. 30) — His debut with the Maple Leafs ended inauspiciously on Friday night in Denver when J.T. Compher scored in overtime to give Colorado a 4–3 victory. But, Calvin Picard, surely unbeknownst to him, matched a familiar number… Read More

The Flawed Matthews Argument

TORONTO (June 5) — In early–1998, it was announced by the National Hockey League that the Toronto Maple Leafs would be moving to the Eastern Conference after 16 years of geographic displacement in the West. For reasons unexplained, the NHL… Read More

A Humorous (Pathetic?) Stat

TORONTO (May 15) — Want to know how generally lousy it was for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their fans during the Harold Ballard administration in the 1970’s and 80’s? Normally, I would offer you a “let me count the… Read More

Leafs Planning For 2020

TORONTO (Jan. 12) — It is a wonderful and rather uncomplicated time to be a fan of the improving Toronto Maple Leafs, whose youngest and most–dynamic players are skating under entry–level salary restriction. None of Connor Brown, Zach Hyman, Nikita… Read More

Andersen To Become No. 63

TORONTO (June 26) — On the night of Saturday, Oct. 14, 1967, when the Chicago Black Hawks visited Maple Leaf Gardens to begin the expansion era in the National Hockey League, Johnny Bower started in goal for the home team.… Read More

Leafs Could Be Halfway Home

TORONTO (June 2) — After winning the Stanley Cup in three of the past six years, the Chicago Blackhawks were bounced from the opening round of the playoffs this spring by St. Louis. It could easily be a temporary set–back,… Read More

Leafs Concerned About Burke

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

Leafs Need Hunter in Current Role

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (May 24) — Now that Mike Babcock will not be named general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs (confirmed) — and has told the hockey universe there is no provision in his contract with respect to… Read More

Ballard Anniversary Rather Apropos

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Apr. 11) — This is a silver anniversary in need of much polish. The 2014–15 Toronto Maple Leafs will mercifully expire tonight against Montreal at the Air Canada Centre — 25 years (and several hours) after… Read More

Will Leafs Match Dubious History?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Mar. 16) — It has been quite awhile since the Maple Leafs endured a clean sweep on a three–game journey to Calgary, Vancouver and Edmonton — which will be the club’s fate tonight should it lose… Read More

You Think THIS Is Embarrassing?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Mar. 12) — Among the myriad issues debated throughout this frightful Toronto Maple Leafs season is ranking it amid the many–such disasters in team history. A subjective exercise, to be sure; much like rating the National… Read More

Leafs Media Battles Are Legendary

By HOWARD BERGER PLANTATION, Fla. (Mar. 13) – The well-documented and turbulent relationship between Ron Wilson and the Toronto hockey media became irrelevant 11 nights ago, when the 27th coach in Maple Leafs history was fired. The tempestuous character of … Read More