Howard Berger

Apparently, Leafs Are The Best

TORONTO (Dec. 2) — Ladies and gentlemen, start your immune systems. The race to the wire in the still–to–be–determined 2020–21 National Hockey League season; within the still–to–be–determined Canadian Division; at the still–to–be–determined sites for games and the still–to–be–determined length of… Read More

Strombo Has No Regrets

TORONTO (Nov. 27) — We haven’t heard much from George Stroumboulopoulos since he disappeared from the set of Hockey Night in Canada more than four years ago. And, that’s by design. Music listeners the world over certainly get their fill… Read More

The Night I Smelled Death in New York

It would have been nice to end my career with another Stanley Cup over my head instead of face–down at Madison Square Garden, but most people don’t get to choose how their career will end. — Nick Kypreos in UNDRAFTED… Read More

Reverse–Jersey Rage

TORONTO (Nov. 18) — For a long–time fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs, there is nothing more gloomy than a reminder of the Harold Ballard era. Particularly the “lost decade” of the 1980’s, when the team flopped and fizzled beneath… Read More

Could Leafs and Sabres Collaborate?

TORONTO (Nov. 14) — So, here’s an interesting idea: The Toronto Maple Leafs still need to upgrade their defense, even with T.J. Brodie and Zach Bogosian coming aboard as free agents. The Buffalo Sabres could use some help on the… Read More

Shhhhh… Don’t Wake Me Up

TORONTO (Nov. 11) — Remembrance Day here in Canada; Veterans Day in the United States. A time to honor the fallen heroes that protected our freedom in the two World Wars. And, for some, a time to remember the National… Read More

A Few Days When Sport Didn’t Matter

TORONTO (Nov. 8) — During the same week that Joe Biden toppled the most–unscrupulous political figure in the free world, right–winger Joey Anderson signed a three–year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. This absurd correlation (apart from Anderson’s position) underscores… Read More

Only One Option For Leafs In Goal

TORONTO (Oct. 28) — There has been no indication, publicly, from the Maple Leafs about wanting to change direction in goal before next season. A few days after the Leafs were eliminated by Columbus in the qualifying round, I was… Read More

Marner for Laine: Would You Do It?

TORONTO (Oct. 27) — I have written, in this corner, that the Maple Leafs could make no bigger mistake than trading Mitch Marner. Nor do I suspect appetite for such a move among the tall foreheads at Bay St. and… Read More

The More Things Change…

TORONTO (Oct. 25) — As much as the Toronto Maple Leafs were remodeled in the past two weeks, they have remained nearly identical to the club that was bounced from the playoff qualifying round by the Columbus Blue Jackets on… Read More

Big Zed or Jumbo Joe?

***THIS QUESTION WAS ANSWERED LATE TODAY WHEN THE LEAFS SIGNED JOE THORNTON FOR ONE YEAR. BUT, THE MORE IMPOSING PLAYER IS STILL OUT THERE.*** TORONTO (Oct. 16) — While filling out their roster for next season, the Maple Leafs could… Read More

The Verdict From Leafs Nation

TORONTO (Oct. 14) — The off–season makeover (to this point) encompassed five days. Departing from the 2019–20 Toronto Maple Leafs, among regulars, were Tyson Barrie, Kasperi Kapanen, Andreas Johnsson, Frederick Gauthier, Cody Ceci and Kyle Clifford. Coming aboard are Wayne… Read More

Is Lehtonen the Leafs’ Dark–horse?

TORONTO (Oct. 11) — Given the time of year, when unrestricted free agents in the National Hockey League can switch teams, fans of the Maple Leafs will read and hear lots this week about T.J. Brodie and Zach Bogosian, both… Read More

Why Do Players Choose Toronto?

TORONTO (Oct. 10) — Welcome to the city where good defensemen come to die. Or, at least, to incur serious illness. The city in which Thomas James Brodie has elected to ply his trade for the next four years. It… Read More

It’s Simple: Leafs Are Doing All They Can

TORONTO (Oct. 9) — There is no real mystery. Kyle Dubas, general manager of the Leafs, made a couple of moves on Friday that conform to his self–inflicted cap crisis. So long as John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and… Read More

The Anti–Jenny Craig Approach

TORONTO (Oct. 8) — Perhaps the answer is subliminal. Someone in the family of Kyle Dubas watched MIDGET wrestling at Maple Leaf Gardens in the 1960’s. Or, a favorite uncle worshipped the undefeated Miami Dolphins of 1972 and Hall–of–Fame guard… Read More

Soo Reunion in Goal For Leafs?

TORONTO (Oct. 4) — Over the past few days, I have warmed to the notion of Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas re–uniting with the goalie tandem from his first season running the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the Ontario… Read More

If Donald Trump Ran the Leafs

TORONTO (Oct. 3) — Transcript of today’s media briefing from the Bullsh** Room at Mara–Lago Arena: LEAFS MEDIA RELATIONS DIRECTOR KAYLEIGH KEOUGH: Thank–you for assembling here on short notice. A couple of requests… we ask that you sit, wherever possible,… Read More