TORONTO (Aug. 21) — Logically, there are only two factors that would induce Auston Matthews to sign a National Hockey League contract extension before next July: a) he cannot fathom dressing for any other team but the Toronto Maple Leafs.… Read More
TORONTO (Aug. 5) — There is no reasonable excuse for such a billion–dollar company as Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to stay cheap with its broadcasting arm. This is a money machine that can easily ensure its four major teams… Read More
TORONTO (July 27) — So, we wonder: How did it happen? How did goaltender Matt Murray, cleared by the medical staff of the Toronto Maple Leafs prior to the Stanley Cup playoff series against Florida, wind up on Long Term… Read More
TORONTO (July 22) — It’s going to require a maverick… a general manager with gonads the size of medicine balls… an executive possessing unlimited belief and self–esteem… one that doesn’t give a flying fu** what others think and say about… Read More
TORONTO (July 19) — I can tell you, without equivocation, that you’ll never meet a nicer, more cordial and pleasant backstabber than Ron MacLean. The first three adjectives are mine; the latter, a non–stop, prodigious and largely inexplicable sentiment amid… Read More
TORONTO (July 15) — Details involving the Toronto Maple Leafs are forever sketchy as the club makes an exhaustive effort to conduct business away from the media spotlight. But, sources elsewhere paint the picture of a front office conflicted over… Read More
TORONTO (July 8) — It was an alarming bit of speculation from a media source familiar to everyone in the Canadian sports television industry: “We may not recognize the Hockey Night In Canada panel next season,” claimed this person. “Based… Read More
TORONTO (July 6) — It’s out there for all to see. In chat rooms, pop–up websites and even the most–credible newspaper columns: Will members of the Toronto Maple Leafs Core–4 accept less money in their forthcoming contracts so the quartet… Read More
TORONTO (July 2) — The legendary voice of Prime Time Sports has been silenced.
For how long, we do not know.
Bob McCown, 71, is resting in hospital after incurring two, maybe three, strokes since June 15, when his alarming… Read More
TORONTO (June 27) — To the surprise of absolutely no one, the National Hockey League’s most–apathetic and complacent franchise is “running it back” for an eighth consecutive disaster in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
If you’re a fan of the Toronto… Read More
TORONTO (June 22) — Tragically for the Maple Leafs and their long–suffering fans, Auston Matthews will become the highest–paid hockey player of all time… probably in the next few months. Unwittingly, yet unavoidably, this will doom the Leafs to playoff… Read More
TORONTO (June 16) — It isn’t often that a part–time employee puts full–time employees to shame. As such, the Toronto Star should consider dropping former Leafs winger Nick Kypreos from its freelance–writing budget.
With the notable exception of Dave Feschuk,… Read More
TORONTO (June 12) — A few stories, on a quiet day, from my 17 years (1993–2010) covering the Maple Leafs as a reporter for The FAN–590, Canada’s first all–sports radio station. I trust you’ll enjoy a laugh or two:
TURBULENCE … Read More
TORONTO (June 9) — Someone in the ever–evolving managerial structure of the Maple Leafs needs to grow a set. Very quickly. Whether it’s general manager Brad Treliving; his newly named assistant, Shane Doan, or a person above the fray in… Read More
TORONTO (June 4) — The Maple Leafs are long overdue to start operating with an established pecking order. For too many years in the post–1967 era, head coaches have been inherited by Leaf general managers. Which is contradictory to functional… Read More
TORONTO (June 2) — Among those in the mushy mainstream media who cover the Toronto Maple Leafs, three names stand apart. As I wrote here on Wednesday, I knew we could count on at least one of Steve Simmons (Toronto … Read More
MY RADIO CAREER ENDED 12 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK WHEN DON KOLLINS, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF THE FAN–590, CALLED ME INTO HIS OFFICE AND SAID MY SERVICES WERE NO LONGER REQUIRED.
FACT IS, THEY HADN’T BEEN FOR QUITE SOME TIME.
I… Read More
TORONTO (May 31) — Come on. You didn’t expect Brendan Shanahan to make a bold hire, did you?
Brad Treliving has the experience Shanahan was seeking in the “new” general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given, however, the assuring… Read More
Argos Came Back From The Dead
We Live In A Pathetic Newspaper Era
I’ve been wrong about Dinwiddie
The Leafs Are Great — Today
Bizarre Football Day At The CNE
The Leafs Look Bored — Already
Watch, Admire… and Remember
My Father And Sports
Maybe The Veteran Stuff Will Help
When Your Hero Is No More
Bobcat, Wilbur and the Trial Balloon
It’s Impossible To Predict The Leafs
Toronto Sun Closes Leaf Comments
Dinwiddie Loses Game For The Argos
God Help Fans Of The Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs Are Drug–Addicted
Craig and the Core–4: Hmmm…
How Does Life Go On?
Are The Penguins Pursuing Marner?
They Ambushed The Staff at CHML-900
What About Those Jerseys, Keith?
CFL Command Centre Needs Overhaul
Marner Is Going Nowhere
How Much More Can Be Expected?
There’s No Hope For the Blue Jays
How close we came to Zapruder–2
Toronto Sport Has Gone to the Pits
Damien Was Only Half–Right
Solid Day’s Work by Treliving, But…
Edmonton Is Toronto’s Daddy
Pelley’s Integrity At Stake – Already
The Morning After: May 3, 1967
You Think Marner Is The Problem?
We’re a Bush League Sports Town