TORONTO (Sep. 18) — At no time since 1967, until now, have the Maple Leafs been one player away from challenging for the Stanley Cup. Just how significant that piece remains is a matter of opinion.
In my view, it… Read More
TORONTO (Aug. 26) — We may — and I stress, may — discover once again this season just how apparently difficult it is to win the Stanley Cup. Toronto Maple Leafs–“difficult” includes not even appearing in the championship round of… Read More
TORONTO (July 31) — With Leafs Nation ominously assuring itself that all draft components will remain in place beyond 2019, and media wondering if the addition of Patrick Marleau indicates the club is “going for it” now, here’s a question… Read More
TORONTO (July 18) — It is rather puzzling that people who observe the Leafs for a living, and those that root for the club with their entire soul, have lost appreciation for veterans Tyler Bozak and James van Riemsdyk.
Particularly… Read More
TORONTO (June 28) — Imagine the Toronto Maple Leafs in three years with John Tavares, Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Mitch Marner all making beyond–entry–level cash; with a Norris Trophy–caliber defenseman eating up close to $10 million in cap space… Read More
TORONTO (June 24) — Obviously, I cannot say for certain. Neither can most others, as Lou Lamoriello never divulges company secrets. But, I would be shocked beyond measure if the general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs even considered trading… Read More
TORONTO (June 21) — The warnings were in place; unheeded, and verily scoffed at by fans of the record–setting Toronto Maple Leafs. The same warnings that are certain to be ignored later tonight in Las Vegas after what should be… Read More
TORONTO (June 11) — Given multiple reports in the past ten days of their interest in veteran forward Ilya Kovalchuk, it appears the Maple Leafs may not be willing to sit around and “look pretty” next season.
The majority of… Read More
TORONTO (May 27) — After 100 years in the National Hockey League, the Toronto Maple Leafs are affiliated with numerous dates on the Gregorian calendar. Among the 10 most significant:
• Feb. 14 — 1927 — Conn Smythe changes the… 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 (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
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 (Apr. 29) — Happy milestone birthday to the best Leafs goalie of the post–1967 era. Curtis Joseph turns 50 today. He was born in Keswick, Ont. (70 miles north of Toronto) the same day the Leafs and Canadiens were… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 25) — Rapid achievement in professional sport can be intoxicating. And, hauntingly mercurial if not guided by a steady hand. With that in mind, we wonder how the Toronto Maple Leafs might proceed after graduating from the National… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 16) — As is common in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Maple Leafs–Washington series will likely be determined by goaltending. And, there is virtually nothing to choose from between Frederik Andersen and Braden Holtby after two games —… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 14) — Well, yes, David hung in with Goliath on Thursday night.
In fact, the Toronto Maple Leafs nearly toppled the behemoth of the National Hockey League in their playoff opener. For the first time in exactly 16… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 10) — No, the Washington Capitals will not lose to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After all, the Stanley Cup playoffs never begin with the second round.
Beyond that, maybe… just maybe… this is the year that Ovie and… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 8) — It is officially and undeniably crunch time for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Not unexpectedly, the quest for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference has come down to the final weekend of the regular season and… Read More
The Power of One
Leafs Appear to be Alluring
The FAN–590 is 25 today
Is It Truly So Difficult?
Cancer Strikes Leafs Family… Again
Leafs Don’t Have To Change
A Question Ignored
Is Holden For Bozak Worthwhile?
Just Imagine If…
The Bozak–JVR Enigma
Leafs Bring Aboard Good People
The Nylander vs. Marner Argument
Leafs Should Hound Chayka
War of the Worlds — Leafs Edition
Shanaplan Goes Boom!
Leafs Shouldn’t Get Too Cocky
Of Course, Leafs Can Stand Pat
Leafs Must Have a Plan
Leafs Refused To Get Silly
Leafs Will Improve… Won’t They?
Leafs Thinking Outside The Box
The Flawed Matthews Argument
Leafs Should Have a Captain
Credibility x 2
Still The Most Compelling
No Tears For The Ex–Leafs
Staying Ahead of Crohn’s
Should Matthews Sprout Wings?
Shanaplan Worked, But It’s Over
Pillar’s Lamentable Choice
A Humorous (Pathetic?) Stat
Ottawa vs. Nashville For Cup
Leafs’ Old Nucleus Still Alive
Leaf Fans: “Forget Doughty”
Would Leafs Pursue a Blockbuster?