Argos Are Bordering on Comical

TORONTO (Aug. 1) — Ryan Dinwiddie may not be the worst coach in my 53 years watching the Toronto Argonauts (he’s close). McLeod Bethel–Thompson may not be the worst quarterback during that time (he’s close). Jointly, however, they form the… Read More

Why The Leafs Need A Different GM

TORONTO (July 20) — God save the Core–4. It has to be the motto of the Toronto Maple Leafs as they head toward a seventh opportunity to emerge from the opening round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. With the same… Read More

Bizarre Admission By The Leafs

TORONTO (July 15) — It cannot possibly have been the message the Maple Leafs wished to impart. Yet, there it was — in bold and black — atop Kevin McGran’s hockey missive (below) in Thursday’s Toronto Star: Leafs general manager… Read More

Root Problem Still Unresolved

TORONTO (July 13) — Given reaction to the trade for Matt Murray, the Maple Leafs went from soup to nuts. Or, in this case, from Jack Campbell to the Funny Farm for general manager Kyle Dubas, who has not been… Read More

Murray a Good Option For Leafs

TORONTO (July 11) — Yes, the career of two–time Stanley Cup winner Matt Murray can be resurrected at age 28; still young for a National Hockey League goalie. Even if behind a club in defensive disarray for half–a–century. I maintain… Read More

Nylander For Chychrun Is Too Easy

TORONTO (July 9) — It almost makes too much sense. The Arizona Coyotes, who couldn’t score in a brothel last season and are swimming in cap space ($29,994,166), acquire a fairly prolific shooter with two years remaining on his contract.… Read More

Leafs Are “Right There” — But Where?

TORONTO (July 6) — It was a seminal moment for the Maple Leafs, this week, when they promoted Canadian hockey legend Haley Wickenheiser to assistant general manager. Diversity and gender equality are a hallmark of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.… Read More

Maple Leafs In Rarified Air

TORONTO (July 2) — The color bar (below) from the past 52 years of Stanley Cup winners may appear complicated at first glance, but it really isn’t. Without question, the seasons designated with LIGHT PURPLE are the most rare… and,… Read More

Is Kuemper Next Man Up For Leafs?

TORONTO (June 27) — With every indication that Jack Campbell will not return to the Maple Leafs, might general manager Kyle Dubas pursue Stanley Cup–winning goalie Darcy Kuemper as an unrestricted free agent? Such whispers have been in the air… Read More

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