2011/2012 Season

Bowen, Ralph Stranded Again

TORONTO (Sep. 15) — This should come as no surprise to any person that follows the Toronto Maple Leafs. Unless there’s a change of heart in the next month, veteran radio broadcasters Joe Bowen and Jim Ralph will be relegated… Read More

It’s Hands Off Matthews — Again

TORONTO (Sep. 11) — If you fear the local media has lost its love for the Maple Leafs, try and relax. It’s been proven, time and again during the Core–4 (now 3) era, that no amount of playoff misadventure can… Read More

Dryden’s Leaf Term Was Tumultuous

TORONTO (Sep. 6) — For sure, the news hit hard. A man of my vintage occasionally rises in the middle of the night with a bloated bladder. As did I after 2 a.m. today. Once back in bed, I perused… Read More

Aren’t You Deathly Sick of Rogers?

TORONTO (Sep. 2) — I am convinced that if wandering through the rainforests of the Congo, in deepest Africa, I’d come across a venue named after Rogers Communications. Here in Toronto, you cannot turn a street corner without being smacked… Read More

Now, Back To That “Other” Question

TORONTO (Aug. 28) — The most oft–repeated, perhaps only, concern amid zealots of the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer has been “how will the club replace Mitch Marner’s 100 points?” The answer isn’t difficult. Six other guys will get 17… Read More

When Words Sound Meaningless

TORONTO (Aug. 22) — The run–up to training camp for the Maple Leafs began on Wednesday in entirely predictable fashion. Though Auston Matthews was courteous enough to donate some hours to a Brampton, Ont. charity — and made himself available… Read More

More Insanity With The Argos

TORONTO (Aug. 16) — Pause for a moment and imagine the ownership of the Toronto Maple Leafs authorizing the club to play three important “home” games next season in Florida, Tampa Bay and Carolina. Or, Rogers Communications — were the… Read More

Sportsnet Takes a Strong Stance

TORONTO (Aug. 13) — At first, I thought it pertained to a particular story and author. Then, I looked more closely and realized a decision had been made across the board. A strong, progressive decision by someone with clear authority… Read More

All Credit To Shapiro and Atkins

TORONTO (July 24) — Throughout this remarkable and unforeseen surge by the Toronto Blue Jays, there’s been universal media reticence to applaud ownership and management. Over the course of two months, the club has evolved, before our eyes, from also–ran… Read More

Predictably, the Leafs Are a Mess

TORONTO (July 1) — Don’t be angry with Brad Treliving. Even if his “big” Canada Day signing was a player that erupted for zero points in 25 games with Montreal last season. There really wasn’t a lot more the general… Read More

Five Years Ago — and Still True

I WROTE THIS BLOG IN MID–AUGUST 2020, EIGHT DAYS AFTER THE LEAFS WERE DEFEATED BY COLUMBUS IN THE COVID PLAYOFF QUALIFYING ROUND. YOURS TRULY AND THE OLD “POPCORN KID” — MIKE PALMATEER — WERE ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT GOALIE … Read More

How Unwell is Don Cherry?

TORONTO (June 24) — Roughly six weeks ago, I watched a video podcast with Toronto Sun columnist Joe Warmington interviewing Don Cherry, presumably at Cherry’s home in Mississauga. I was stunned. It wasn’t the sharp, Dapper Don that Canadiens grew… Read More

Decoding Connor McDavid’s Retort

TORONTO (June 20) — Something tells me the world’s most–gifted hockey player was not impressed when his team flipped between goaltenders late in the Stanley Cup final. Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard; the latter having played one game for the… Read More

Imagine the Leafs Altering DNA… x2

TORONTO (June 17) — This, from a hockey voice in Miami: “Most people think [Leafs general manager] Brad Treliving will pursue either Sam Bennett or Brad Marchand in free agency. From what I’m hearing, don’t be surprised if the Leafs… Read More

Will Rogers / MLSE Honor Joe Bowen?

TORONTO (June 13) — Yes, we know there will be scoreboard video tributes and lots of shiny, complicated words from the public relations wing. Still, the question remains: Will the media wing of Rogers Communications truly honor Joe Bowen, iconic… Read More

For Leafs, It Can Only Be Marchand

TORONTO (June 11) — For the moment, the target remains clear. If it is still within sight on July 1 — just 20 days from now — the Maple Leafs can adopt only one strategy: Get Brad Marchand into the… Read More

The Banality of Truth at MLSE

TORONTO (June 2) — A determined canvassing of undiluted honesty amid those employed by the Toronto Maple Leafs since 1967 is rather effortless. There are markedly few examples from which to choose… and most comments pre–date the current era. Here’s… Read More

What Cachet Remains For Matthews?

It is incomprehensible that such veteran hockey people as [Brendan] Shanahan, Brad Treliving and Craig Berube actually felt that stitching a letter on clothing could alter a person’s DNA. — Between The Posts, May 19 TORONTO (May 29) — Finally,… Read More