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 25) — At some point late tonight, Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel will cross paths near center–ice at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. They will shake hands; likely embrace, and re–affirm their love for one another as friends… Read More
TORONTO (May 22) — As part of his popular, weekend–notes column on Sunday, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun posed an interesting question: “In watching [William] Nylander playing alongside Nicklas Backstrom [with Sweden at the World Hockey Championships], I couldn’t… Read More
TORONTO (Mar. 22) — The math will sort itself out over the next 18 days and nights, finally determining whether the Toronto Maple Leafs partake in the Stanley Cup tournament for the first time in 13 years after a full… Read More
TORONTO (Mar. 11) — Here’s a prediction for the 2017 Stanley Cup final that would have drawn loud gagging noises if made prior to the season: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Minnesota Wild in a battle of the two most–recent National… 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 (Oct. 25) — Yes, it’s true: There are fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs that have already written off Frederik Andersen as the solution to an interminable goaltending conundrum. After only four starts in the first two weeks of… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 12) — As they careen through their most untimely slump in 29 years, the Toronto Blue Jays are saying all the right things and doing all the wrong things. Not since 1987 have the Blue Jays engendered such… 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
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (June 18) — Those newby children make for terrific pawns, don’t they? Can’t even say “da–da” yet and their fathers are heading elsewhere in the National Hockey League. What a wonderful world.
For those unaware, Martine… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 22) – As Hall-of-Fame executive Cliff Fletcher might say: “Analytics Shmanalytics.”
Time of course will tell, but the hiring of Kyle Dubas as assistant general manager would seem to be a progressive move by the… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 16) – Jesus, I’m old.
How many reading this remember where they were at 9:32 a.m. EDT 45 years ago today? If they were around 45 years ago today?
I didn’t think so.
At the… Read More
(BUT, NOT TODAY)
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (May 17) – The 2014 Stanley Cup playoffs haven’t gone over particularly well here in the Big Smoke; not nearly as well, for example, as the Calder Cup tournament, where Toronto Marlies are… Read More
By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (Jan. 6) – It appears all but certain that Maple Leafs general manager David Nonis will have to make a decision before the National Hockey League trade deadline this year:
Nazem Kadri or Randy Carlyle.
Should… Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Feb. 13) – Today is Mats Sundin’s 42nd birthday.He remains the Toronto Maple Leafs all-time scoring leader nearly five years after last donning the blue and white jersey. Though he has twice since been accorded … Read More
By HOWARD BERGERTORONTO (Oct. 23) – In the public arena, there is nothing so humdrum as denial. Whether in sports, politics, entertainment – any community, in fact, with widespread acclaim – denial is almost always affirmation.A stark reminder … Read More