Offer–Sheet All About Timing

TORONTO (July 27) — If you’re surprised that a rival National Hockey League team has not yet presented an offer–sheet to Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, consider this: “July 1st isn’t the right time to make such a move,” a… Read More

Another Cautionary Tale

TORONTO (Dec. 23) — How unusual it was, still, to see the once–proud Colorado Avalanche looking so downtrodden and hopeless against the Maple Leafs on Thursday night. A 6–0 loss at the Pepsi Center flattered the home team while cementing… Read More

Leafs Are Still Two Bricks Shy

TORONTO (Apr. 11) — The question was raised to all parties involved with the Toronto Maple Leafs: “How much longer?” As in, “when can we expect the turn toward contention?” Quite a loaded inquiry, I submit, of the 30th–place club… Read More

Are Predators Chasing Fast Phil?

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Feb. 11) — Requesting tolerance from a fan of the Maple Leafs is like asking the Pope for a Communion wafer. Only the sages can tell us which custom is older. That said, it may be… Read More

Don’cha Stop Nothing?

Going round and round… ’cause you can’t get on your feet; Going round and round… still taking all the heat. — Ric Ocasek, The Cars, 1986 By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 18) — Oh, it was just what he needed.… Read More

Burns’ Widow Has No Regret

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 15) — It was Hall of Fame Media Day on Friday afternoon and a couple of Pats were missing – both former coaches of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Hall of Fame chairman Pat Quinn was … Read More

45 Degrees of Separation

By HOWARD BERGER TORONTO (Nov. 3) — Tie Domi turned 45 on Saturday. Johnny Bower, please God, will turn 90 this coming Saturday. Which means that Domi was born one week before Bower’s 45th birthday (did that all by myself). … Read More