TORONTO (Aug. 28) — The most oft–repeated, perhaps only, concern amid zealots of the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer has been “how will the club replace Mitch Marner’s 100 points?” The answer isn’t difficult. Six other guys will get 17… Read More
TORONTO (Aug. 22) — The run–up to training camp for the Maple Leafs began on Wednesday in entirely predictable fashion. Though Auston Matthews was courteous enough to donate some hours to a Brampton, Ont. charity — and made himself available… Read More
TORONTO (June 20) — Something tells me the world’s most–gifted hockey player was not impressed when his team flipped between goaltenders late in the Stanley Cup final. Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard; the latter having played one game for the… Read More
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
TORONTO (May 22) — There’s no need to search for a hockey executive to replace Brendan Shanahan as president of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The club’s parent company, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, has the perfect candidate under its roof.… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 28) — At no point, and deservedly so, in the Core–4 era have the Maple Leafs been granted a full playoff mulligan. Until Saturday night, that is, when a defeat in overtime at the Canadian Tire Centre in… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 23) — Brad Treliving will not win general manager–of–the–year in the National Hockey League (the nod likely going to Kevin Cheveldayoff of Winnipeg or Chris Patrick of Washington). Were there an award, however, for best acquisition–of–the–year, Toronto’s… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 19) — It’s a question that no person in the Leafs-owned media will ask aloud (or in print). What happens amid the Doomsday scenario: another first–round playoff defeat in the Core–4 era? This time against an opponent that… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 12) — A Maple Leafs anniversary passed on Friday without acknowledgement or fanfare: Brendan Shanahan marked 11 years as president of the hockey club. You’ll excuse local scribes and pundits if they didn’t laud the occasion as intended,… Read More
TORONTO (Apr. 5) — In the “credit where credit is due” category, the Maple Leafs are rather fortunate they outlasted the Florida Panthers on Wednesday night at Scotiabank Arena. While there was joyous media celebration over the narrow and equivocal… Read More
TORONTO (Mar. 18) — The answer is short and simple: As long as this is allowed to happen, it will continue.
Unabated and unchallenged.
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has its season ticket patrons by the short and curlies. And,… Read More
TORONTO (Mar. 3) — It’s an annual rite of passage for hockey in this city; largely forgotten by the ensuing year.
First, the general manager–of–the–day calls media together so he can set the trade–deadline bar as shallow as possible. Check.… Read More
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 (Feb. 16) — Chuckle, if you wish. Belly–laugh, even. But, understand that this scenario comes from a person with more than three decades of hockey media experience in Los Angeles. Everyone in the sports–writing (broadcasting?) business knows him (her?).… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 14) — It’s been an unusual sporting week here in town. The Toronto Raptors lost a basketball game. The Canadian Football League Argonauts found a quarterback. And, Toronto Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire was allegedly spotted “exercising” his… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 10) — Having completed two–thirds of the regular season, it appears as if the Toronto Maple Leafs are cloaked in something inexplicable. How can a team bloated with such outlandish skill remain on the fringe of Stanley Cup… Read More
TORONTO (Feb. 2) — They are, without question, the most–coveted items in my large collection of sports memorabilia. Having lived here in Toronto all my life (I turn 61 on Monday) — watching the Leafs as a fan and reporter… 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
Remembering the Misery and Pain
Explaining The Win Over New Jersey
Burke Discusses the Doddering Leafs
Should Treliving Continue as GM?
Sadly, Unfairly, It’s Berube’s Time
Poor Berube Was Wasting His Breath
The Leafs Take a Casual Pass — Again
Shhhh… The Leafs Are Winning
Let’s Give Max Domi a Break
The Leafs Are Deathly Stale
These Blue Jays Are Clearly Unique
The Blue Jays Will Romp Tonight, 7–2
For Schneider, It’s Russian Roulette
Absurd Managing By Schneider
Is Benevolent Edward Going Batty?
Recalling Encounters With Fame
Johnston Shows Strong Leadership
Leafs Still Missing Two Key Elements
Bowen, Ralph Stranded Again
It’s Hands Off Matthews — Again
Dryden’s Leaf Term Was Tumultuous
Aren’t You Deathly Sick of Rogers?
Now, Back To That “Other” Question
When Words Sound Meaningless
More Insanity With The Argos
Sportsnet Takes a Strong Stance
All Credit To Shapiro and Atkins
Predictably, the Leafs Are a Mess
Five Years Ago — and Still True
How Unwell is Don Cherry?
Decoding Connor McDavid’s Retort
Imagine the Leafs Altering DNA… x2
Will Rogers / MLSE Honor Joe Bowen?
For Leafs, It Can Only Be Marchand
The Banality of Truth at MLSE