2022

The Maple Leafs and Consolation

TORONTO (June 23) — There is no way to minimize a 60–goal performance in the National Hockey League. Auston Matthews, this season, emerged as the most–prolific shooter in the long and once–storied history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. No gifted… Read More

Stamkos Did Not Come Home

TORONTO (June 13) — Among the early off–season rumors involving the Maple Leafs has forward Sam Gagner, 32, joining the club. Which makes perfect sense considering that Gagner meets all the typical Leafs criteria: *Ontario boy… check. *At least five… Read More

Jack to Edmonton? Willie to Phoenix?

TORONTO (June 11) — So, it was Steve Briere’s “fault” that Jack Campbell posted a dismal 51–14–9 record in 77 appearances under his direction. The Toronto Maple Leafs — forever absolving the $40 million men up front — began the… Read More

Will Leafs Scapegoat Smilin’ Jack?

TORONTO (June 5) — Truth be known, only one factor has prevented the Toronto Maple Leafs from signing goalie Jack Campbell to a new contract: Reluctance. And, what a terrible shame that is. Once again, those culpable for a first–round… Read More

The Derringer Debacle

TORONTO (May 26) — I worked with veteran radio man John Derringer (real name: John Hayes) a generation ago at The FAN–590 when he co–hosted our morning show with the late Pat Marsden. Though I never spent much time around… Read More

Isn’t There a Statute of Limitation?

TORONTO (May 20) — If Dorothy can click her glass slippers and return from colorful Oz to the farm in Kansas, the Toronto Maple Leafs can probably win a playoff series. Who knows, it might even happen next spring, should… Read More

“Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here!”

TORONTO (May 17) — Come on, be honest, you didn’t expect to hear a different message from your Toronto Maple Leafs today? Did you? Why would the club venture outside its vaunted comfort zone in the National Hockey League’s most–hapless… Read More

What Is Auston/Leafs’ Mindset?

TORONTO (May 16) — Whatever roster/salary cap manipulation the Toronto Maple Leafs are considering from this point forward absolutely must involve Auston Matthews. Not solely because he failed to help lift the club beyond one playoff round for a sixth… Read More

Bowen Was Absolutely Crestfallen

TORONTO (May 15) — I watched the first two periods of Game 7 on Saturday night before getting dressed and going to work. As such, I listened on radio to the final eight minutes of the decisive match between the… Read More

The Scoreboard Never Lies

TORONTO (May 13) — For those who contend that curses, ghosts, goblins and bad guys wearing striped jerseys account for the nearly two decades since the Toronto Maple Leafs last won a playoff round, allow me to get this maudlin… Read More

This Has 1993 Potential

[Auston Matthews] needs to assume control of this opening round… first, by leading the way at Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday with at least one important, timely goal; then with some form of coup de grace either in Game 6 or… Read More

Auston Needs To Pick It Up

TORONTO (May 8) — Can the Toronto Maple Leafs dethrone the Tampa Bay Lightning in their first–round playoff series with Auston Matthews a marginal figure? It is every bit a rhetorical question. Yet, only one of many that should disturb… Read More

Leafs In A Good Spot (Again)

TORONTO (May 7) — Numbers occasionally lie, as they did for the Toronto Maple Leafs a year ago this month. But, here’s a fact: In Stanley Cup playoff history, the team that leads 2–1 after Game 3 in a best–of–seven… Read More

Now Leafs Need A Counterpunch

TORONTO (May 4) — Chalk up one for the champ, but don’t give up on the challenger. Game 2 of the Maple Leafs–Tampa Bay Stanley Cup series may have seemed like the polar opposite of Game 1, but the difference… Read More

Raise The Bar, Leafs Nation

TORONTO (May 3) — It was, in a word, perfection. Or, as near as a hockey team can reasonably approach that elusive target. Casting full and boundless credit on Brendan Shanahan, Kyle Dubas, Sheldon Keefe and all the men wearing… Read More

In The End, It’s Up To Smilin’ Jack

TORONTO (Apr. 30) — How fascinating and coincidental it was that the best regular season in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs coincided with the worst–ever season for the Montreal Canadiens? Rivals from the very beginning of the… Read More

Mostly Quiet Jubilation For Leafs

TORONTO (Apr. 20) — The numbers are more impressive than ever, but this is largely a “been there, done that” season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Which is evident in nearly all the right places amid mainstream media. Yes, Damien… Read More

Can Leafs Beat Tampa Bay or Boston?

TORONTO (Apr. 16) — Given their glistening record against fellow Stanley Cup contenders, the Toronto Maple Leafs should be quite a match for either the Tampa Bay Lightning or Boston Bruins in the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.… Read More