TORONTO (Feb. 19) — There is only one strategy that Kyle Dubas can deploy in order to salvage the 2019–20 schedule for the Toronto Maple Leafs: start looking toward 2020–21.
And, do it without heed to Monday’s National Hockey League… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 31) — It’s an old, timeworn cliche, but the Toronto Maple Leafs had a couple of “must–win” games after the All–Star break and they smartly prevailed with road victories in Nashville and Dallas.
This was effective work by… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 24) — Though it may seem unlikely, let’s assume the Maple Leafs accrue enough points in their final 33 games to finish third in the Atlantic Division, thereby securing one of the three allocated playoff berths. It would… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 14) — For a brief moment last Wednesday, and despite all of the challenges encountered so far this season, I felt that maybe karma was on the side of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Trailing the Winnipeg Jets, 3–2,… Read More
TORONTO (Jan. 3) — Yup, I was wrong. I doubt that I’ll completely reverse my opinion of mid–term coaching changes, but the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off a dandy maneuver on Nov. 20 when Sheldon Keefe replaced Mike Babcock. It’s… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 23) — Rejoice, if you wish, in another sloppy win, as the Maple Leafs need every point available. But, ignore, at your peril, the tell–tale sign between the pipes, where Frederik Andersen is already beginning to wear down.… Read More
TORONTO (Dec. 21) — Frankly, I’m surprised no one has posed the following questions: With the Maple Leafs an impressive 9–4–0 in 13 games under Sheldon Keefe, why did Brendan Shanahan wait until Nov. 20 to authorize the dismissal of… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 26) — As a heterosexual male, I had never felt the urge to kiss another man. Until yesterday, when I read the impassioned offer of remorse from Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot in the wake of his two–game… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 21) — Predictably, the text arrived within minutes. “I was off by three games. Sue me.”
Oh, how I wish I could introduce to you the National Hockey League employee that told me, Aug. 11 (blog here — … Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 17) — It remains the most parochial, knee–jerk reaction in sport: “Fire the coach!” And, the parochial/knee–jerk among fans and media that follow the Toronto Maple Leafs are out in full force.
Want to craft a newspaper column… Read More
TORONTO (Nov. 2) — It began, rather predictably, one month ago tonight: a 5–3 conquest of the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Arena. The big gun, Auston Matthews, scoring twice; the big acquisition, Tyson Barrie, assisting twice. Frederik Andersen recording the… Read More
“He’s got 20 games,” said a well–known figure in the National Hockey League. “If the Leafs aren’t playing up to par by mid–November, Babcock’s gone. Count on it. There is lots of appetite for change in Toronto.”
— BETWEEN THE… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 17) — It’s refreshing to observe how Leafs Nation is so–coolly reacting to an unremarkable 4–3–1 record after eight games of the National Hockey League season. No premature indications of panic or anxiety. Rather, a coherent, logical assessment… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 12) — It has been a difficult second week of the National Hockey League season in the land of the blue Maple Leaf, inciting many — predictably — to draw conclusions. There is the small matter of 77… Read More
TORONTO (Oct. 1) — Do not be surprised if the 2019–20 National Hockey League season is the most–prolific in the 103–year history of the Toronto Maple Leafs. If healthy, the Leafs could challenge for the Presidents’ Trophy as the No.… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 27) — Mike Babcock told The Athletic last week he had a strong sense that the naming of a captain for the Toronto Maple Leafs will be “obvious to most”. Adding further intrigue is that the interview with… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 25) — The alleged incident involving Auston Matthews last May in Scottsdale shouldn’t be about the captaincy of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Given that it frightened a woman in the middle of the night, it cuts much deeper.… Read More
TORONTO (Sep. 22) — Not much about the deterioration of the Toronto Argonauts surprises me anymore, but I admit to gasping at the announced attendance–figure for Friday night’s home game against the Grey Cup–champion Calgary Stampeders. Apparently, 9,819 souls made… Read More
“Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here!”
What Is Auston/Leafs’ Mindset?
Bowen Was Absolutely Crestfallen
The Scoreboard Never Lies
This Has 1993 Potential
Auston Needs To Pick It Up
Leafs In A Good Spot (Again)
Now Leafs Need A Counterpunch
Raise The Bar, Leafs Nation
In The End, It’s Up To Smilin’ Jack
Mostly Quiet Jubilation For Leafs
Can Leafs Beat Tampa Bay or Boston?
The Leafs Beat Goes On… And On
Every Goal Ladens The Anvil
For Leafs, Next “Test” Begins in May
Maple Leafs 50–goal Timeline
Sheldon Keefe’s Finest Hour
The Leaf “Hater’s” Handbook
Can M & M Take the Necessary Step?
Galley Should Be With Cuthbert
There’s Still Hope For The Leafs
Did Kyle Make A Lethal Mistake?
Giordano Has The Wrong Equipment
It Comes Down to the Sunshine State
“Let’s Allow The Paint To Dry”
“Good” Suspension For Matthews
How Can It Be Two Years Already?
News Man… Or Public Relations Flak?
“Howard, You’re 100 Percent Wrong!”
At Last, the Truth Is Emerging
Keefe Has No Goaltending Plan
No One’s Worried About Anything
Hang In There With Smilin’ Jack
Matthews Love–Fest Hits New Heights
What Is Kyle Waiting For?