Igor Ozhiganov

Puzzling Leaps of Faith

TORONTO (Aug. 3) — Back on May 16, 2017, amid much fanfare, Swedish defense prospects Andreas Borgman and Calle Rosen signed entry level contracts with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given that several National Hockey League rivals were also pursuing the… Read More

Flag Waving Has Started Early

TORONTO (May 8) — Erect the barricades. The Stanley Cup is about to return. At least one cheerleader in the Toronto media has declared the Maple Leafs’ European signing blitz of the past week a roaring success. Others are sure… Read More

Babcock Situation Intruging

TORONTO (Mar. 21) — Back on Jan. 28, I wrote a blog here (http://bit.ly/2WtCazl) suggesting Mike Babcock needs a first–round playoff victory to ensure a fifth season at the helm of the Maple Leafs. The notion was widely–ridiculed on social… Read More

Still Think Leafs Will Be Fine

TORONTO (Mar. 17) — Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Happy green blog–print. Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I’m still not overly concerned about the Leafs going into a defensive slump in mid–March. Far–better now than in mid–April. Neither do I… Read More

Leafs–Blues “Still In Touch”

TORONTO (Jan. 29) — Kyle Dubas made a solid move on Monday by acquiring defenseman Jake Muzzin from the Los Angeles Kings. Muzzin is, by no means, a difference–maker, but he does perform somewhat aggressively and should complement Morgan Rielly… Read More

So, Who Can Kyle Trade?

TORONTO (Jan. 20) — Let’s begin this blog with process of elimination: Kyle Dubas, rookie general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, promised William Nylander — publicly — that he won’t be traded “as long as I’m running the hockey… Read More

Lock The Doors, Larry

TORONTO (Jan. 15) — As the largest individual shareholder at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, it is incumbent upon Larry Tanenbaum to bar the entrance of Scotiabank Arena on all future game nights. Send fans away. Issue full ticket–refunds. Instruct… Read More

Marner Will Be The Big Challenge

TORONTO (Dec. 18) — The headline on the Toronto Star website was so understated as to be comical: Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas confident team will sign Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews to long-term contracts. Confident? The words that come… Read More

Nylander to Nashville Makes Sense

TORONTO (Oct. 16) — Whether it happens this season or next summer, I maintain the Leafs will have to trade one of their Big 3 draft gems of 2014–16. And, it ain’t gonna be Mitch Marner or Auston Matthews. By… Read More

Presumably, the Leafs Have A Plan

TORONTO (Oct. 6) — Hey, no one said this was gonna be easy. For the better part of two years, my little corner, here, has been addressing the environment in which the Toronto Maple Leafs currently reside — needing to… Read More