Hope is a cruel thing for a sports fan: no matter how bleak the situation, as long as there's a straw in sight we'll happily clutch at it. Case in point: Leafs Nation, of which we're proud, occasionally defiant members. We've been flip-flopping over the Leafs all season long. A few weeks ago we'd written them off, then watched as the team put together an impressive run (which included comprehensive victories over the Ottawa......

Far be it from us to conflate professional sports with Bill Shakespeare—but the Toronto Maple Leafs’ actions before, during and after Tuesday's NHL trade deadline recall Macbeth’s famous words: full of sound and fury, yet ultimately signifying nothing. Charges of heresy will be duly acknowledged. In the end, the promised blow-up never materialized. None of the five big-money, no-trade-clause-holding players could be moved. Pavel Kubina was apparently ready to be shipped off (to San......

It's been the best of times, it's been the worst of times for the Toronto Maple Leafs; in fact, the past couple weeks have been nothing short of surreal. First, the best of times: wins against the high-flying Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, followed by a thoroughly unexpected Hockey Day in Canada victory over the league-leading Detroit Red Wings, have given the team a boost. Injured players are getting healthy. The return of the......

With much-maligned NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in the crowd, the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped the puck on the 2007-08 season at the Air Canada Centre last night. He was probably unable to catch a glimpse of a homemade sign halfway across the arena that read: “Bettman: ruining the NHL since 1993.” Despite the Buds’ slightly new uniforms (which either look like pajamas or practice jerseys, depending on who you ask), one might have been......

Toronto places three roads in the province's worst twenty streets. Steeles placed fifth, Bathurst ninth and Dufferin twelfth in the survey of the worst-maintained roads in Ontario. That having been said, be glad you don't have to drive in Sudbury (first, third, eighth and tenth). Take THAT, Sudbury! Dutch traffic planner says Toronto needs "naked streets." By which he means downtown core streets with no speed limits, traffic signals or curbs. Pick your joke: 1.)......

The Anaheim Mighty Ducks win the Stanley Cup. Thus finally fulfilling the lifetime goals of Emilio Estevez. Asked to comment, the Ottawa Senators said "aggghhhhhhhhhhccckkk," then scored on their own net again. Quebec to collect Canada's first carbon tax. Quebec's Natural Energy Minister says it's possible oil companies might not pass the tax on to the consumer. Petroleum companies agree with the minister—it is possible. Other things that are possible: the invention of a perpetual......

Ottawa denies entrance to Nelson Mandela's wife. Winnie Madikizela-Mandela was supposed to give a speech at a fundraiser gala last night, but was told that she was denied a visa because she had been previously convicted of kidnapping and fraud. The fact that she was allowed in the United States three weeks ago means nothing. Come on, the U.S. never lets anyone in! The Ontario government is handing over $4 million to keep kids busy......

Jordan Manners will be laid to rest today. His mother is calling out for an inquest so that her 15-year-old son did not "die in vain." If it prevents another shooting in this city, we're all for it. Another Canadian killed in Afghanistan. A NATO helicopter crashed with five American crewmembers, and two members of the military, including one British and the one Canadian. A Taliban spokesperson took responsibility for shooting down the helicopter and......

A six-member jury announced the winner of the Nathan Phillips Square design competition last night. The city plans to rely on public and corporate donations for the remaining $24-million it needs to complete the project. For a thorough write-up on the new design, check-out our coverage. Despite the efforts of two high-angle specialists on Tuesday, ice still clung to the CN Tower yesterday. Tower officials refuse to name the company behind the work, citing "liability......

Nope, Torontoist isn't referring to the classic movie series. With Halloween just around the corner, it's a different goalie mask creating this sequence of horrors. Although it may be Friday the 27th, the number 13 represents the total amount of goals Toronto Maple Leaf netminders - mainly Andrew Raycroft - have allowed to Ottawa Senator shooters this week. Even by factoring in his day off in between, Raycroft's goals against average over those 3 days......

With all the personnel changes the Maple Leafs made this offseason, it appears little has infact changed on the ice. With the team opening their 2006-07 pre-season against the Buffalo Sabres at the ACC Monday night, it was the same old story for Mats Sundin's team. Excessive penalties, an inability to score, a bleeding Darcy Tucker, average goaltending and Bryan McCabe's goatee each contributed to a performance that was all too familiar to post-lockout Leaf......

Matt Stajan was eight years old the last time Pat Quinn was considered to be the NHL's best coach. That's right... this season will mark fourteen years since Quinn was at the top of the game. So with the way things unfolded for the Maple Leafs and Team Canada this year, one might expect him to quietly disappear into retirement. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Although Torontoist may not be a big......

The same team of minds that confused you with a Scottish talking stick of gum have taken it an EXTRA step with their latest marketing initiative. Who exactly is winning with Quinn these days? After returning from an embarrassing Olympic defeat, Pat Quinn has led his Toronto Maple Leafs to three consecutive losses over the past week. The latest loss came at the hands of the provincial rival Ottawa Senators. The Senators and backup goalie......

After last night's closing ceremonies, Torontoist wonders if their Itallian cousins will know what to expect when they arrive in our county next summer. What is our national identity exactly?? Because as of today, the world is probably as confused as yours truely. Snow shoes, ice fishing and ice sculptures bred way for a performance by Avril Lavigne as the Olympic Flag was handed over to Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan. Interesting combination. Back from......

Try repeating the following sentence five times... Spartacat, Spezza and the Senators should sweep Sundin's sluggish and slothful squad this season. The Maple Leafs travel to Ottawa to face the Senators on Hockey Night in Canada this weekend. The divisional rivalry has been a tad one-sided thus far, leaving Torontoians with little to be excited about. In case anyone forgot, Dany Heatley scored 4 times as the Sens beat the Leafs 8-0 on October 29.......

Ed Blefour's play in the Maple Leaf goal this season has for the most part been the calibre of play his team has relied on from the Ottawa Senators in four of the past five playoffs. He has yet to record a shoutout in 24 games this season - a stat that illuminates when you realize that the St.Louis Blues' Curtis Sanford already has a pair. When the Eagle takes the ice in Ottawa this......

The Toronto sporting community will be given an opportunity to put the Major League Baseball drug scandal on the back burner tonight, as AHL hockey comes to town. Just under 18,000 screaming hockey fans will be treated to a prolific display of second-rate talent, when the Binghamton Senators roll into the ACC to take on the St John's Baby Leafs. Spezza versus Stajan apparently has the same draw these days as Sundin against Alfredsson had......