The Toronto Maple Leafs fired president and general manager Brian Burke. He was hired with much fanfare and hope back in 2008 but without a playoff appearance during his tenure, he's been on the clock for at least a year. I was pretty sure they'd give him one more season.

I've been so fed up with the NHL and NHLPA CBA negotiations, I've been telling everyone who will listen to just ping me when it's over.  This morning, I received several pings.  I guess the lockout is over and we'll have a season. Immediately, I'm hit with two different sensations.

Eight years ago, I was already writing pleas to Bettman and Goodenow to get a deal done so I could enjoy NHL hockey again.  I really, really cared, and my heart broke when the entire season was cancelled. Eight years later, there's that same multi-billion dollar pie being fought over

Back in January, we had some fun speculating who would play for the Leafs in the Alumni Showdown. The Leafs just announced their roster for this game, although they will add a few more players later.  Here's who they're confirming thus far: Darryl SittlerRick VaiveDarcy TuckerFelix PotvinMike PalmateerKevin MaguireDave AndreychukDoug

Maple Leafs great Mats Sundin has been voted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, joining Joe Sakic, Adam Oates and Pavel Bure.  This was Sundin's first year of eligibility. I loved Sundin, I think we all did... well, most of us appreciated him as a person, competitor and highly skilled

The Leafs have a ton of defencemen, and needed to get bigger up front, so Brian Burke pulled the trigger on a deal with Philadelphia that unites the Schenn brothers in Philly and brings big left-winger James Van Riemsdyk to the blue and white. Van Riemsdyk missed most of last

The Los Angeles Kings are Stanley Cup champions for the first time, and then there were two.  12 teams started the 1967-68 NHL season, nine have won the Stanley Cup since, one has folded and for two, the drought continues. For the record, here are the 12 teams from 1967-68:

When the Kings finish off the Devils, yet another franchise will win the Stanley Cup In my lifetime.  You probably know where I'm going with this... My Leafs haven't won the cup since 1967, but they also haven't played in a Stanley Cup final since 1967.  So let's look at

Following that last entry, I felt I needed some eye bleach... a spiritual virtual cleanse of sorts.  Sounds like a job for All Heart, the greatest Wendel Clark tribute video in the history of the world. Wendel Clark is all heart.  Watch thrice daily for optimal results.

I was watching some old footage of the NHL on FOX on Youtube.  This footage was from 1995 and it included this graphic regarding the longest Stanley Cup droughts at the time. The Red Wings were suffering from a "40 year itch".  They'd win a couple of Cups before the

I had stopped watching Leaf games.  Prior to tonight, the last game I watched was the game I took my son to a couple of weeks ago.  Total and complete apathy had set in... the 2011-12 Leafs were dead to me. Then, Ford Canada invited me to their luxury suite

[via greek colin farrell]

I monitor Toronto weather via gCast, a simple little Chrome extension.  Here's what it looks like right now: 26°, 25°, 31°, 25°... those numbers are absolutely sick for March.  I took last week off to enjoy March Break with the kids, and we were out playing catch every day.  I

Let's finish last.

Flyers scout Patrick Burke, who happens to be Brian Burke's son, did a Reddit AMA today.  AMA stands for "ask me anything" and when they're done right, they can be pretty awesome. Patrick is promoting the You Can Play Project, founded in honour of his brother Brendan to make locker

During the Leafs game last night, Joe Bowen mentioned that there were only six active NHLers who had ever played for the Leafs in a playoff game. That's amazing, but what's more amazing is the fact that there are only four players still playing who can say they played for

The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded defenceman Keith Aulie to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Carter Ashton, a young right wing prospect. From Hockey's Future: Ashton has developed into a consistent two-way performer and has quietly impressed scouts. Ashton possesses pro size and has demonstrated that he understands

During the summer of 2008, we all knew Brian Burke was on his way.  Sure, he was still GM of the Ducks at the time, but by November it was official.  Brian Burke had a 5-year deal to be the new President and GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. We

As is often the case in life, the pursuit of The Monster was the peak.  The Best Goaltender Outside the NHL™ kept us waiting, teased us for while, before eventually choosing the Leafs. He started strong, inspiring this slice of creativity from yours truly. Last night, I watched the Leafs