Cherry–MacLean is Complicated

TORONTO (May 13) — In a perfect world, I would follow up my Sunday blog, which was a heartfelt plea to Don Cherry and Ron MacLean to resolve their differences, with a detailed postscript. The submission here went rather viral… Read More

A Heartfelt Appeal to Ron and Don

TORONTO (May 9) — This is an open letter to Ron MacLean and Don Cherry… Dear Ron and Don: I often think about the years I spent on your periphery while covering the Toronto Maple Leafs for The FAN–590. Then,… Read More

Cherry on Leafs: “No One Knows”

TORONTO (May 8) — During the nearly four decades in which he became the most–recognizable face in our country, Don Cherry was an unabashed supporter of the Maple Leafs. “I like ‘T–ronna,’ I want them to win,” he would tell… Read More

Time to Rant… Time to Rave

TORONTO (May 6) — Hey, guess what? The National Hockey League was big news in the United States for 72 hours this week. Not for any reason, of course, that relates to Connor McDavid performing at a level unseen since… Read More

What’s Next For The Birthday Boy?

TORONTO (May 5) — Mitch Marner turns 24 today. By the standard of professional hockey, he is no longer a kid. In 352 National Hockey League games, Marner has 354 points. Line–mate Auston Matthews has 348 points in 330 games.… Read More

Are Leafs–Habs Doomed Again?

TORONTO (May 4) — For more than two months, all signs have pointed toward a rebirth of the oldest rivalry in the National Hockey League. A best–of–seven clash in the opening round of the Stanley Cup tournament between the Toronto… Read More

The Tragedy of Roberto Alomar

TORONTO (Apr. 30) — Perhaps Dave Perkins, the legendary former baseball columnist at the Toronto Star, said it best while on the phone with me this afternoon. “Be prepared to never be surprised,” Dave offered when I asked for a… Read More

Could The Leafs Beat Connor?

TORONTO (Apr. 29) — There is a level of anticipation and excitement about the Toronto Maple Leafs that hasn’t existed for nearly 20 years, since the good hockey teams coached by Pat Quinn; led by Mats Sundin and backstopped by… Read More

Andersen Reporting “Careful”

TORONTO (Apr. 27) — Not a single person covering the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday could bring himself (or herself) to say it: Frederik Andersen is no longer the club’s No. 1 choice for the playoffs, given how consistently unreliable… Read More

Only The Math Remains

TORONTO (Apr. 25) — Consecutive victories by the Maple Leafs in Winnipeg this week not only enabled tormented fans to step back from the figurative edge, but virtually locked up first place for only the second time since 1962–63. As… Read More

Leafs Nation In Full Retreat

TORONTO (Apr. 22) — I’m astonished by the sheer volume of goaltending experts in Leafs Land that were utterly silent about Jack Campbell’s inability to play the position while he reeled off 11 consecutive wins between Jan. 16 and Apr.… Read More

Leafs Have Fallen Apart, But…

TORONTO (Apr. 21) — Good lord, is this ever a season of black and white for the blue and white. With no middle ground (or grey area) through 46 games, the fate of the 2021 Toronto Maple Leafs is solely… Read More

Sportsnet–590 Rudderless

TORONTO (Apr. 17) — John Rea. Bob Mackowycz. Nelson Millman. Don Kollins. Dave Cadeau. Then… ??? Five men and one mystery. The names, since September 1992, with the title of Program Director at Canada’s first all–sports radio station. I worked… Read More

Borje Salming At 70

TORONTO (Apr. 15) — It is impossible for me to think about Borje Salming turning 70 this Saturday without remembering the day he turned 25: Apr. 17, 1976. For that night — at Maple Leaf Gardens — produced the greatest… Read More

The Disaster Scenario

TORONTO (Apr. 14) — Doesn’t it figure? For more than 20 years, since Ken Dryden successfully re–located the Maple Leafs into the Eastern Conference, fans of the oldest rivalry in the National Hockey League have been clamoring for a Stanley… Read More

It Still Depends on the Big 4

TORONTO (Apr. 13) — When the dust had settled on Trade Deadline Day in the National Hockey League, the Toronto Maple Leafs were different… yet unchanged. Undoubtedly, Nick Foligno and David Rittich will provide the club character up front and… Read More

Leafs Solid With Campbell/Rittich

If [Kyle] Dubas were to aim higher, he might talk with Calgary about David Rittich, who can also become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Rittich, 28, is 4–7–1 with the disappointing Flames but won 51 games in the two … Read More

Dubas Still Has A Move

***BREAKING (6 p.m. EDT): The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired veteran forward Nick Foligno from the Columbus Blue Jackets. But, the club is still in need of goaltending insurance.*** LATE NOTE: Kyle Dubas filled his most–pressing need, late Sunday night, … Read More