2022

Every Goal Ladens The Anvil

What Matthews has yet to do — what [Mike] Bossy accomplished — is transferring his regular season success to the playoffs. — Steve Simmons, Toronto Sun, Apr. 5, 2022. TORONTO (Apr. 7) — Yes, the numbers are astounding. There is… Read More

For Leafs, Next “Test” Begins in May

TORONTO (Apr. 4) — I have read that the “biggest test” of the season for the Toronto Maple Leafs arises in the next couple of nights with road games against Atlantic Division rivals Tampa Bay and Florida. This isn’t accurate.… Read More

Maple Leafs 50–goal Timeline

TORONTO (Apr. 2) — The bulletin, late Thursday night, from ESPN in the United States: Auston Matthews joins exclusive Toronto Maple Leafs club with NHL-leading 50th goal Auston Matthews scored his NHL-leading 50th goal of the season and the Toronto… Read More

Sheldon Keefe’s Finest Hour

TORONTO (Mar. 31) — Interesting, isn’t it, that the best performances by the Toronto Maple Leafs under their past two coaches came against the club’s long–time nemesis, the Boston Bruins? For Mike Babcock, it was Game 5 of the 2019… Read More

The Leaf “Hater’s” Handbook

TORONTO (Mar. 29) — From my perspective (maybe you share it, maybe you don’t), here’s what the Toronto Maple Leafs have accomplished in the past three games: Edged a lottery team (New Jersey) playing on back–to–back nights; lost to the… Read More

Can M & M Take the Necessary Step?

TORONTO (Mar. 26) — There’s a chance that Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner could combine, this season, for the most points by any pair of forwards in the history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The record of 210 belongs to… Read More

Galley Should Be With Cuthbert

TORONTO (Mar. 24) — Between 1986 and 2006, Hockey Night In Canada presented nationwide viewers the best play caller and color analyst in the business. Bob Cole and Harry Neale could not be matched north of the border. Given that… Read More

There’s Still Hope For The Leafs

TORONTO (Mar. 22) — I am pondering again today the “window of opportunity” for the Toronto Maple Leafs to capture their first National Hockey League title since 1967. It’s a valid, if highly subjective, argument in these parts and it… Read More

Did Kyle Make A Lethal Mistake?

TORONTO (Mar. 21) — A bromide in professional sport decries that “the best trade is often the one not made.” Is it possible that Kyle Dubas, general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, could regret a best trade he “should… Read More

Giordano Has The Wrong Equipment

TORONTO (Mar. 20) — The Maple Leafs made a prudent acquisition from Seattle today in veteran defenseman Mark Giordano. Though on the back nine of his career, he’ll provide the club some of what it lost with Jake Muzzin on… Read More

It Comes Down to the Sunshine State

TORONTO (Mar. 19) — As a kid growing up in the early 1970’s, Florida was a far away place my parents visited each year in February. It was home to Don Shula, Larry Csonka, Nick Buoniconti and the best football… Read More

“Let’s Allow The Paint To Dry”

THIS BLOG IS DEDICATED TO SPORTSNET BLUE JAYS HOST JAMIE CAMPBELL. MAY HE FIGHT AND PREVAIL. TORONTO (Mar. 17) — Once upon a time, there was a scorching Maple Leafs prospect named Justin Pogge. Born in Fort McMurray, Alta. on… Read More

“Good” Suspension For Matthews

TORONTO (Mar. 14) — At long last, the God of Leafs Nation showed some bite. Yeah, it cost him two games, but the pushback by Auston Matthews against Rasmus Dahlin of Buffalo on Sunday could be money in the bank… Read More

How Can It Be Two Years Already?

TORONTO (Mar. 12) — It all began the night before, when word surfaced that the National Basketball Association had suspended play after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for the new virus, COVID–19, that was beginning to frighten the… Read More

News Man… Or Public Relations Flak?

TORONTO (Mar. 11) — During many of my years covering the Toronto Maple Leafs as a reporter for The FAN–590, Kevin McGran held the same role with the Toronto Star. Today, McGran still covers the Leafs for the Star. On… Read More

“Howard, You’re 100 Percent Wrong!”

TORONTO (Mar. 10) — The email arrived early this morning in response to my blog posted here yesterday (https://bit.ly/3sW52lK), reiterating that the flat, $81.5 million salary cap will preclude all of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, Morgan Rielly and… Read More

At Last, the Truth Is Emerging

TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston reports that… with the Maple Leafs up against the salary cap already, any [trade] deadline deal will require a contract to move off their books in order to bring one in. TORONTO (Mar. 9) —… Read More

Keefe Has No Goaltending Plan

TORONTO (Mar. 7) — Maple Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe is figuratively throwing darts with the most–important aspect of his team. It may not be his fault that neither of the club’s goalies, Jack Campbell nor Petr Mrazek, are performing at… Read More