TORONTO (Sep. 19) — So, the Leafs have made it clear that they can win the Stanley Cup by loading up on forwards while comparably ignoring their blue line. Good luck to them. And, to those that concur.
Neither am… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 15) — So, this is what you get for 50 million dollars?
Okay, I’m being a trifle facetious… but c’mon. The Maple Leafs did not lure Mike Babcock from Detroit with the National Hockey League’s most–lucrative coaching pact… 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
“Randy Carlyle can coach; Dion Phaneuf can play effectively with lots of ice time and Phil Kessel can score with the best of them. Individually, they would be sound elements of any team in the NHL. As a tandem, and … Read More
VANCOUVER (Dec. 2) — Nearly 7½ years after being chosen in the first round of the National Hockey League draft, Nazem Kadri might be getting a fair shake. But, even that is uncertain… and open to interpretation.
From the moment,… Read More
TORONTO (July 9) — Given the still–memorable events of March 2014, it is perhaps fateful that Jonathan Bernier finds himself, once again, tending goal for Randy Carlyle — both now in Anaheim. The two men were complicit in a hugely… Read More
TORONTO (June 14) — Fans of the Maple Leafs should not begrudge Phil Kessel for raising the Stanley Cup.
Kessel was hardly a passenger in the 2016 playoffs, leading Pittsburgh in scoring with 10 goals and 22 points. It proved… Read More
TORONTO (May 31) — The article was prolific and thoroughly–researched. It had all the earmarks of a story written by James Bradshaw, the Globe and Mail’s exceptional media reporter.
It was also mightily complicated and replete with industry conjecture… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 23) — In the spring of 2012, I had the privilege of covering the greatest road team in the history of the Stanley Cup playoffs. En route to their first National Hockey League title, the Los Angeles Kings… 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. 13) — The bitch–and–moan meter is off the charts around here with news that Los Angeles and Chicago — during the Maple Leafs 100th anniversary season next year — have been awarded two of the most–coveted National Hockey… Read More
The Maple Leafs are pretty much the same and will stay that way until the failed nucleus (of Randy Carlyle, Dion Phaneuf, Phil Kessel) is addressed. — BERGER BYTES, July 10, 2014.
TORONTO (Feb. 10, 2016) — And here we… 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
TORONTO (Jan. 18) — Though unlikely given the match–ups, it may happen as early as Tuesday night.
The “much–improved” Toronto Maple Leafs could assume sole possession of 30th place in the National Hockey League. It would require a Leaf loss… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 3) — One year ago tonight, at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Randy Carlyle coached his final game with the Toronto Maple Leafs, losing 5–1 to the Jets. The score actually flattered the visitors, who were physically manhandled… Read More
BUFFALO (Dec. 19) — In my blog here on Friday, I posed a rhetorical question: Under what pretext could Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock turn to the beleaguered Jonathan Bernier for another start in goal?
The obvious answer: None.
Somehow,… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 21) — Happy six–month anniversary, Mike Babcock.
It was back on May 21 that you peered into a bevy of cameras at 40 Bay St. and promised “pain.” You delivered — for about five weeks. Now, the discomfort… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 27) — Many in the local media have launched a preemptive strike against Rogers Communications in the event Alex Anthopoulos does not return as general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. This is understandable given the widespread popularity… Read More
Grapes Slowing, But Still Poignant
Leafs Should Target Parayko
Matthews is Truly Remarkable
Leafs “Can” Do Whatever They Wish
Nylander Contract Fair (and Movable)
Leafs Record Great… And Bizarre
Dubas Needs To Act Fairly Soon
The Leafs Cannot Relax
Nylander Options Are Unappealing
Could Matthews Ever Go Home?
Of Course Nylander Will Be Dealt
Leafs Will Be Fine, Unless…
Home Lethargy Still Hard to Fathom
Can Dubas Make a Trade?
Too Early For Injury–Prone Label
My Prized Baseball Possessions
Kadri In A Tough Spot
Nylander to Nashville Makes Sense
The Leafs’ Staggering Numbers (So Far)
The Leafs Have Two Captains
Presumably, the Leafs Have A Plan
Are We In For A Media Love–Fest?
Enjoy These Leafs (While You Can)
Is There an Indispensable Leaf?
Leafs Following or Bucking Trend?
Leafs Still Living Dangerously
Star Back In The Game (For Now)
No Surprise: Leafs Rated Highly
Babcock/Andersen Will Shape Leafs
Leafs/Habs in New Territory
Rogers Needs to Sell the Blue Jays
Leafs Could Still Pounce
The Silence Is Deafening
Are Leafs, Blues Talking?
Fun (and Nostalgia) With The Leafs