Breaking news just in: According to sources, the Toronto Maple Leafs has decided to part company with President and GM Brian Burke.

There is no indication that Burke was aware that this decision was coming.  He had spoken earlier in the week after the NHL lockout had finished, about looking forward to getting back to work and helping the Maple Leafs return to the playoffs.

Dave Nonis will now take over Burke’s position.  It is unclear at this time whether this is an interim or unconditional appointment.

It as been reporte that Pierre Lebrun of ESPN spoke with MLSE COO and President Tom Anselmi and he notes that the Roberto Luongo situation did not play any factor in Burke’s firing.  According to one NHL team executive there’s more to it than that.  It was a decision of the board.

Despite the change, Joffrey Lupul tweeted “This changes absolutely nothing for our players. We are focused- ready to go for day 1 of camp and that will not change.”

• By T.O.I.N.S.D.R.
• January 9, 2013
• Comment

Hugo Boss opened a new store in Yorkville last night and as you’d expect, the event was littered with people from all walks of life, including several professional athletes.

It was no surprise to see Argonauts receiver Mike Bradwell there, especially as he does modelling work on the side.  Here he is posing for a photo with P.K. Subban and someone who I can only assume is Ralph Lauren or Tommy Hilfiger or someone of that ilk*. 

(*Why else would you voluntarily allow yourself to be pictured with an old guy who has white hair and a pot belly if it wasn’t Father Christmas?)

Really though, I’m more interested by the imposter on the far right.  Seriously, what is Phil Kessel doing there?!?!  You wouldn’t normally expect to see him at events like this.  And I don’t mean because he’s renowned for being shy.

Let’s be honest, while he’s a pretty damn good hockey player, you don’t really associate him with words such as ‘fashion’ and ‘style’.

Fortunately P.K. Subban filmed some footage of last night’s opening, possibly inspired by his current stint on Sportsnet.  Subban really seems to have embraced his new role in the media, right down to harrassing Kessel, something which I think we can all get on board with:

Dec 10, 2012 | Phil kessel caught on #subbycam #hugoboss store opening in yorkville! by PKSubban on Keek.com

Photo credit: @bwelltweets

• By paul.taylor
• December 11, 2012
• Comment

Once again this year, an NHL player has found a way to raise controversary around a questionable Halloween disguise. And this year, a Leaf did it.

After Adam Burish and Patrick Kane dressed as Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman in 2009 and Raffi Torres dressed as Jay-Z last year, centre Tyler Bozak decided to impersonate the legend Michael Jackson.

After quickly removing this picture from Twitter (thanks to Wrap Around Curl and PuckDaddy for posting the picture before it was taken down), the Leafs’ centre declared that Jackson was an icon to him, and anyone calling him racist was crazy.

Hard to believe this was made to shock, but after all the repercussions past NHL players had to go through after dressing similarly, it is a bit of a misjudgment by Bozak. Let’s see if another NHL player will post a questionable picture on Twitter next halloween.

• By Manny Frag
• October 31, 2012
• Comment

As reported by Joe Yerdon, Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle apparently appreciates that demands and expectations in Toronto are a bit higher than they were in Anaheim. (Try telling that to Gordon Bombay.)

However, it could be argued that expectations have never been lower in Southern Ontario.  As for the demands, even these are not as high as they used to be.  Nowadays, all the average Leafs fan wants is to just make the bloody playoffs after an eight-year absence.

On the surface at least, Carlyle’s mindset is in stark contrast to that of his predecessor, Ron Wilson:  “You have to be honest and truthful……….respect the position (journalists) are in, be as honest as you possibly can be and treat them the way you’d like to be treated.”

In reality, journalists are not exactly renowned for their honesty or trustworthiness.  Also, despite being an aspiring member of the sports media myself, should we really expect respect from coaches when we often do not give them the same courtesy?

In many respects, whatever you may have thought of Ron Wilson’s attitude towards the Toronto media, you almost can’t blame him for his standoffish and belligerent relationship with them.  Wilson was likely just expressing an attitude that I adhere to myself: “Do to the man what he would do to you……………but do it first!”

In any event, while Carlyle’s stance is admirable, let’s see how long it lasts after dealing with the Toronto media following a few loses (obviously whenever the lockout actually ends!)

• By paul.taylor
• September 26, 2012
• Comment

Good morning Toronto, I hope you’re enjoying your Thursday.  Just to warn you, we’re going to get slightly political today, so stop reading now if that’s not your thing.

Last night I was innocently minding my own business, reading up on the NHL’s current CBA (Collective Bargaining Agreement) negotiations when I was suddenly hit by a disturbing epiphany.  NHL commissioner Gary Bettman shares a passing resemblance to Italy’s former Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi.

Despite being initially unnerved, I quickly regained my composure by realising that at least Bettman hasn’t outstayed his welcome like Berlusconi did…………..Hmmm, still need convincing?

Fine. At least Bettman doesn’t have his own television network to help produce programming that portrays him in a favourable light…………………Okay, scratch that.

At least Bettman has never used his power to change any rules and policies to better his position and avoid any potential issues………..Damn, this is tougher than I thought it would be.

Urrrm………………..at least Bettman has never looked to use public money to help save any of his businesses from bankruptcy………………..

Oh, just forget it.  The players are screwed.

P.S. Don’t forget to click here to continue voting for Jamie to join the Toronto Raptors Dance Pak.  With just two weeks to go, it’s starting to get tense!

Photo credits: Fromthepoint.com & Associated Press

• By paul.taylor
• August 16, 2012
• Comment

As I only started in 2008, I’m still relatively new to the sports industry after a thoroughly exciting career in the legal sector.  However, I’ve already been fortunate enough to cover MLB and NFL games and interview numerous sporting personalities, including the great Chuck Swirsky.

As sports fans, you’ve likely wondered what it’s like to work in the media, so I thought I’d give you an insight into the murky world of sports journalism over the next couple of days:

NB. To stay clear of any libel action, I will avoid naming specific journalist’s unless it’s in a positive light.  (I knew my media law training would come in useful for something.)

1)  In truth, you don’t need me to tell you this first one, but the hypocritical, contradictory and ungrateful attitude of sports journalists is a sight to behold.   We sit here on our fat behinds criticising professional athletes (something I admit I’m guilty of) when we could only hope to have one-hundredth of their talents.

When athletes say anything even remotely controversial, it is taken totally out of context and makes headlines everywhere, yet we still complain when they refuse to speak to us.

2) Admittedly, any job can become a slog at times.  However, it still blows my mind to hear the media bitch about the places they have to travel to.  Obviously I’d be pissed off if its Hamilton, Saskatchewan or Winnipeg, but when you moan about going to Vancouver, Calgary or Montreal I’m afraid you’ve lost all sense of reality and appreciation for how fortunate you really are.

3) The highlight of my career so far was likely the opportunity to speak to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.  After the press conference, I was fortunate enough to get a few minutes on my own to interview him.  Believe me, it took all of my ‘professionalism’ to not ask him to say hello to a couple of friends from Toronto who are big-time NFL fans.

4) Would it be wrong to say another highlight basically involved me engaging Elliotte Friedman in conversation while we were both using the men’s washroom (and for some reason decide to apologise for stalking him?!?!)  For the record, he’s as friendly as he appears on screen.

Hold on, is that as bad as it sounds?  I mean friendly in the conventional sense as opposed to the George Michael interpretation of how to interact in public washrooms.  I guess on that point, we should stop.

Click here for part two.

Photo credit: Chris Trotman – Getty Images

• By paul.taylor
• August 8, 2012
• Comment

PD: The Toronto Maple Leafs fan touches on disillusionment with the way the Leafs are being run and ceaseless, crushing disappointment, so his video will likely stay topical for longer. As for the batcrap insanity, well, enjoy “A Franchise That I Used to Know”

One man’s torture as a Leafs fan says Andrew Damelin.

• By ed
• July 15, 2012
• Comment

True story via Imagur.

• By ed
• June 29, 2012
• Comment

• By ed
• June 13, 2012
• Comment

Mike Kostka sent the puck from center ice into the empty net as Bren Scrivens went to play the puck. Admirals won the game 1-0. Here’s what Marlies coach Dallas Eakins said after the game:

“I saw it and it’s a real interesting one for the referees. The puck comes out, the puck’s rimmed in, there’s a guy that’s offside by about eight to 10 feet, the puck hits the stanchion, but now he is onside and it goes in your net. It’s a fairly grey area. Once again, something that I’ve never seen. I’m sure the referees have never seen anything like that either.”

Who cares about the grey area. Shame on you Ben Scrivens!

• By ed
• June 9, 2012
• Comment