TORONTO (Jan. 4) — “Yeah, I don’t know. I hope so. That’s obviously the goal.”

In precisely 11 words, Auston Matthews spoke, on Thursday, more sincerely and genuinely than the team that pays him $13.25 million to score goals. The captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs was asked if his mystery ailment can be remedied at some point this season. He answered, unequivocally: “I don’t know.” Neither, it appears, does anyone else. The Leafs have been utterly embarrassing in their doggedness to confuse the media… and, thereby, the most resilient fans in the National Hockey League. Arguably the club’s two most–important figures this season — Matthews and goalie Anthony Stolarz — have sat out large swaths of action with injuries that are obviously debilitating. Yet, the shifty Leafs claimed, initially, each player was “day to day”, providing their loyal followers a fictitious sense of optimism. Matthews has missed nearly 40 percent of Leaf games with either fractured ribs or (as I’ve been told) a lower–abdominal strain. Whatever, as soon as the captain begins to assert himself, he aggravates the injury. Stolarz brought a disturbing history of knee issues from Florida to Toronto. In 17 appearances with the Leafs, he has nine victories and stellar personal numbers: a 2.15 goals–against average and .927 save–percentage — tops in the NHL when he underwent surgery prior to Christmas. The Maple Leafs altered their “day–to–day” proclamation with an update that he’ll be out four–to–six weeks. A minor, trivial amendment (sigh).

Matthews returns, tonight, against Boston at Scotiabank Arena. But, we wonder: for how long?

You may ask why the Leafs exert so much effort to keep the dastardly media off balance. Simple: it’s the lone measure of control for the club. Reporters and columnists have long been the enemy at Scotiabank Arena (and Maple Leaf Gardens, beforehand). What better way to show who’s boss than by offering boldface lies about the team’s most–central figures? It is so timeworn, amateurish and endemic to the Leafs — beginning with founder Conn Smythe… continuing with Punch Imlach (twice)… then onto such media “friends” as Gerry McNamara, Pat Burns, Pat Quinn, Ken Dryden, Mike Smith, John Ferguson Jr., Brian Burke, Ron Wilson, Mike Babcock, Kyle Dubas, Brendan Shanahan, Brad Treliving and Craig Berube. The affable and ubiquitous team doctor, Noah Forman, wouldn’t confirm that the players have two arms and two legs. These were (and are) all good men… yet, so–often consumed by the words written and spoken. Directing those beneath them to hoodwink whenever a key figure goes down. There is no extent to the subterfuge the Maple Leafs will deploy; camouflaging their remarks as a form of “protection” for the player. Please excuse my language, but it’s a load of bullshit. Has been for decades.

BIG PROPS TO THE CAPTAIN FOR PROVIDING AN HONEST SELF–ASSESSMENT ON THURSDAY. 

Envision the environment in this hockey city had the Leafs spent as much energy constructing a balanced team… with star players that elevate performance in the Stanley Cup hunt. Rather than nonchalantly extending those that have failed in such a pursuit for nearly a decade. Since Ballard, in particular, it’s been all–out war with the media. The notable exceptions, in my time covering the team on radio, were Jim Gregory, Cliff Fletcher, Floyd Smith, Mike Murphy, Paul Maurice, David Nonis and Lou Lamoriello. All of whom treated reporters with respect (though Lamoriello had strict guidelines). Even when attempting to shroud injury news. Today, there is no discretion. If the news is black, the Leafs will tell you white. If it’s up, the Leafs will say down. Had the chicanery resulted in a couple of Stanley Cup challenges, it might be marginally justifiable. But, what have the Maple Leafs accomplished?

In my years covering the team (and prior), there was an easy way around all the crap: go directly to the player.

Today, reporters cannot do that.

The athletes are shielded and protected more stringently than the COVID lab in Wuhan. Back in time, when the Leafs would tell reporters that defenseman Bryan McCabe has a “slight groin pull”, I would casually saunter up to the player and wonder why such a menial ailment has kept him sidelined for a month? Isn’t it more serious? At which point, McCabe would confess to a groin “tear” — much different than a strain. I’d then offer the “news” to Quinn in a media scrum, while, naturally, protecting an unassailable source. Whereupon the big Irishman would half–confess. “I’m hearing it could be a little tear as well,” he’d reply, as if not privy to first–hand diagnosis. The urge to follow with “hearing? From who?” was suppressed, for Quinn had already spilled the beans. These were the little games we could play with the hockey club when the athletes were available to be approached, individually. Fast–forward to the post–pandemic Leafs and it seems that everything is done at a podium… or via pre–arranged interviews with TV rightholders. No wonder the current posse of reporters makes little effort to disentangle “info” provided by the club. With virtually no access to players — and with Shanahan and Treliving keeping their distance throughout the season — how can team issues be disseminated? It turns into a perilous guessing game.

Do you remember the last time a media figure broke a big Leafs story? It doesn’t happen anymore.

When Matthews is on a plane to Germany for a second treatment option, fans and media think the captain is resting and recuperating at home. Then, suddenly, the entire reporting contingent announces the news at once; long after the fact. This is the control the Maple Leafs seek. And, usually obtain. Wait til jolly ol’ Ed Rogers gobbles up 75 percent of the hockey pie next summer. From then, on, all Leafs news will be carefully filtered through Sportsnet in the tiresome (for fans) conflict–of–interest between team and media ownership. Which is truly sad.

THE HOCKEY NEWS — 54 Years Ago

From the Jan. 1, 1971 issue, in my collection.

Stories about veteran Bob Baun providing Toronto defensemen a “steadying force.” About the father of rookie forward Brian Spencer entering a TV station in Prince George, B.C. with a gun after the outlet chose to telecast the California at Vancouver game (for obvious reasons) of Dec. 12, 1970 rather than Chicago at Toronto, where his son was debuting for the Leafs. About NHL president Clarence Campbell warning Buffalo GM Punch Imlach he should cease writing a newspaper column in the old Toronto Telegram. About Habs legend Jean Beliveau returning from injury in his final NHL season. Also, game summaries and scoring stats. Enjoy the memories:

 


 
 
 

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