Auston Matthews

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

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

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

Ballard to Matthews — No Change

TORONTO (May 21) — Paul Henderson, the former Leaf and Team Canada hero from 1972, tells a story about his agonizing decision to defect from the National Hockey League to the rogue World Hockey Association, which competed with the NHL… Read More

Leafs and Auston Have to Separate

TORONTO (May 19) — Forget about Mitch Marner and John Tavares becoming free agents. Forget about the new coach bringing structure to the Maple Leafs until any such control was beyond him. Forget about the apparently elite goaltender who couldn’t… Read More

Marner’s Tantrum Was Too Late

TORONTO (May 19) — For the first time in nearly a decade with the Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner blew his cover. Midway through the second period on Sunday night, with he and his weak–kneed ‘mates embarrassing themselves in Game 7… Read More

A Win For The Best Fans In Hockey

For the series to continue after tonight, the Maple Leafs will need more than a large uptick in performance. The Panthers will, simultaneously, have to remove their feet from the pedal in an elimination game at home. — my blog… Read More

Imagine the MLSE Revenge Tour

TORONTO (May 16) — Only once in my years around the Maple Leafs do I recall the club being so universally written off toward the end of a playoff series — prior to Game 7 of the 1993 opening–round clash… Read More

Only Three More Years, Folks

TORONTO (May 15) — Here’s what we know, for certain, about the Toronto Maple Leafs: Unless they triumph at Florida on Friday night, Brendan Shanahan and Mitch Marner will have enjoyed their final hours in blue and white. Auston Matthews?… Read More

MLSE Is Buried In Horsesh** Calls

TORONTO (May 12) — The Maple Leafs had better win the Stanley Cup this year. Only a championship, for the first time in 58 springs, could justify one of the most–egregious decisions in modern franchise history: Ripping the captain’s ‘C’… Read More

Car 34, Where Are You?

TORONTO (May 10) — So long as the Toronto Maple Leafs were winning, there was no concern over Auston Matthews being the highest–paid “defensive center” in the Stanley Cup playoffs. As noted, Friday, on the always friendly Hockey Night In … Read More