TORONTO (Sep. 5) — Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas claims he is “confident” of signing restricted free agent Mitch Marner before a chunk of training camp is lost (cautionary note: the club’s first workout in St. John’s is “Friday… Read More
UPDATE (Aug. 25): Mitch Marner and the Leafs could be discussing a three–year bridge contract. Looking at $24–$28 million.
TORONTO (Aug. 24) — For some reason, the contract dance between Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs is being misinterpreted… Read More
TORONTO (Aug. 17) — Don’t look now but the sheep are gaining eyesight. And perspective.
Something about the unwavering anticipation — and ultimate dejection — of last year’s Toronto Maple Leafs has the National Hockey League’s most–abused and forgiving fan–base… Read More
TORONTO (Aug. 11) — If you talk to hockey people who talk to hockey people — as I try and do between working funeral services in my day job — what I’m about to write is a common assessment: Mike… Read More
TORONTO (July 27) — If you’re surprised that a rival National Hockey League team has not yet presented an offer–sheet to Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner, consider this: “July 1st isn’t the right time to make such a move,” a… Read More
TORONTO (July 20) — Were he to retract his vow from last December and trade the anvil–contract of William Nylander, it would be one small step for Kyle Dubas, one giant leap for salary–cap maintenance.
Okay, how better to start… Read More
TORONTO (July 13) — To sign or not to sign? That is the question. With apologies to the Sweet Swan of Avon, Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner could soon be offered pen and paper by the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Aaron… Read More
TORONTO (July 3) — What’s all this drivel about the Toronto Maple Leafs and a Stanley Cup “drought”?
Why do people keep referring to 1967?
Anyone paying attention would know the Leafs have now won consecutive National Hockey League titles…… Read More
[Kyle] Dubas — according to whispers — has inquired with Colorado about veteran Tyson Barrie. At least one established, formidable defenseman must be added to the roster before any person can reasonably expect the Leafs to improve on their playoff … Read More
TORONTO (June 29) — Among the myriad issues that again restricted the Toronto Maple Leafs to one playoff round in April, the reliance on a single goalie ranks near the top. Which is hardly a new subject — in this… Read More
TORONTO (June 25) — On the 10th anniversary of John Tavares being selected first overall in the National Hockey League draft — and Nazem Kadri going seventh to the Maple Leafs — perhaps it’s fitting that Toronto’s most–glaring deficiency is… Read More
TORONTO (June 15) — In recent years, lots of stuff has happened for the first time in awhile on the local sports scene… or the first time ever, such as Thursday night’s monumental basketball triumph in Oakland.
The Maple Leafs… Read More
TORONTO (June 12) — To this point, Sean Avery’s “sources” here in the Big Smoke are akin to his former conduct on and off the ice — lousy. But, the National Hockey League’s bad boy of the new millennium did… Read More
TORONTO (June 7) — Earlier in the week, I posted this opinion on Twitter: “We are again seeing why the Leafs, as currently made up, aren’t suited for the Stanley Cup final. They cannot remotely match the level of physical… Read More
TORONTO (June 1) — Predictably, it took no time at all for the most–sophomoric angle to emerge from the Toronto Raptors brilliant playoff run: Has basketball become more popular in Toronto than hockey?
Such a challenging question on the day… Read More
TORONTO (May 28) — The Toronto Raptors and Golden State Warriors will make history in a couple of ways when they meet for the 2019 National Basketball Association title. It is, of course, the first appearance of a Canadian team… Read More
“… and the sign said the words of the prophets are written on the subway walls…and tenement halls… and whispered through the sound… of silence.”
— Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, 1965
TORONTO (May 22) — If not for… Read More
TORONTO (May 15) — We take you, regrettably, back to June 24, 2006. At then–called General Motors Place in Vancouver. Today, Rogers Arena. Home of the Canucks. With the 13th pick in the National Hockey League draft, the Maple Leafs… Read More
The “MAGA” King of Toronto Sport
The Leafs Cannot Act Impulsively
Leafs Owners Have No Mercy
Is Matthews “C”–ing The Light?
Really, This Is Shanahan’s Mess
Why It’s Over For Mitch and the Leafs
Brad Treliving Made His Moves, But…
Expect Leafs, as Usual, to go Small
Abraham, Bobby and Wayne
What’s Next For Auston and Mitch
It Was King Edward’s Call — Totally
Are You Ready For “Prime” Time?
Recency Bias Shaping Canada vs. USA
Imagining The Unimaginable
Remembering Paul Morris: 1938–2025
The Notorious No. 63 in Leafs Blue?
It’s Getting Closer… Every Day
Everything In Leafs Land Is Fine
Morgan Rielly Needs a Change
If the Leafs Had Been Perfect…
Justin Bourne of a Different Time
Everyone is Missing the Mark — Again
30 Years Ago: How It All Started
Why Can’t The Leafs Be Honest?
The Blue Jays Appear To Be Doomed
Travel Tales With The Leafs: All True
The Leafs Are Chronically Soft
Are We Being Seduced Again?
The Philadelphia Hotel Caper
My Time With The Big Irishman
The Marner Condundrum Escalates
Would Marner Waive For The Apple?
Would Management Show Some Gall?
Is Anyone Going To Say It?
It Was Berube’s Finest Moment