Mark Makuch Article Archive

B/R Articles

No Matter How Boring, Toronto's Not Backtracking About Building Forward Depth

Brian Burke seems to be done making changes to the Toronto Maple Leafs this offseason. He's upgraded the defense substantially, added a big time enforcer, and brought in a back up goalie that ...

Written by Mark Makuch about 3 months ago 1,011 reads 2 comments
In Praise of Alexei Ponikarovsky

I have to admit that I used to bash Alexei Ponikarovsky. "Doesn't use his size!" "Misses too many chances!" "Never able to elevate his game!" If there was anyone the Leafs should trade, if you asked me, it was him...

Written by Mark Makuch about 7 months ago 262 reads 24 comments
Burke's Plan, Or, for the First Time Damien Cox Is Onto Something

According to Damien Cox, the hyperbolic, sour grapes Leafs writer for the Toronto Star, Brian Burke has a plan. In a recent article in the Star, Cox muses that there is reason behind Brian Burke's ...

Written by Mark Makuch about 7 months ago 571 reads 6 comments
Why 2008-09 Has Been a Success for the Toronto Maple Leafs

As the 2008-09 season winds down for the Leafs, it's time to take stock of this past year. Despite Burke's angst about missing the playoffs, and how that makes the season a failure, the truth ...

Written by Mark Makuch about 7 months ago 390 reads 5 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs' Best Paid Players Lack Essential Character

We all knew this was going to be a tough season, but not for this reason. Little did we know that the Leafs would actually be able to put the puck in the net. Little did we know that the team could dominate games with terrific team speed...

Written by Mark Makuch about 10 months ago 366 reads 3 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs Castoffs Prove Cliff Fletcher Right (Mostly)

Over the summer, Cliff Fletcher did all he could to remove players from the Toronto Maple Leafs that had instilled a country-club atmosphere in the team...

Written by Mark Makuch about 11 months ago 416 reads 14 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Anyone Untouchable?

Brian Burke hasn't done it yet, but he still could pull out a hand grenade and demolish this team as it stands. Fletcher has done a good job in putting together an almost respectable squad, with more tradeable assets than last year...

Written by Mark Makuch about 11 months ago 210 reads 10 comments
Could the Toronto Maple Leafs Be Turning the Corner?

With 32 games played in the '08-09 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs are sitting in 11th place in the conference, with a mediocre .500 record...

Written by Mark Makuch about 11 months ago 95 reads 6 comments
Alex Steen Had to Leave the Toronto Maple Leafs

A fan favourite, Alex Steen, is gone from the Leafs. Many people are bemoaning this trade, suggesting that the Leafs did not show enough patience with this former first-round pick. I would have loved to see Steen play better and stick around...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 521 reads 8 comments
Unexpected Goals for Leafs

During the preseason, the Leafs were expected to be a low scoring team, but also, a team that would be tough to score against...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 117 reads 0 comments
Leafs-Lightning Preview: Leafs Will Have Tough Time

As far as I can see it, the Leafs are due for a little humbling. There is no better team to deliver that than the Tampa Bay Lightning...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 139 reads 3 comments
Leafs-Senators: Hard Work Nets Toronto Solid Win over Ottawa

Back in grade school, we played hockey for gym class in the winter. We made up teams each session, and one day, by the luck of the draw, the team I was on somehow ended up with all the talented players...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 129 reads 2 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs: Ten Reasons Why They're Back On Track

10. Deadwood cleared: Vets Bell and Devereaux were sent the minors while the big club kept the likes of John Mitchell. This would not have happened last year. Mitchell has looked strong and deserving of a solid shot at the bigs...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 415 reads 11 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs Game Stats: A Few Good Things in Ugly Loss to St. Louis

The Good One good line—Hagman plus-two, Mitchell plus-two, Grabovski plus-one (surprising to see positive plus-minus in a 7-3 loss). One good goalie: The Pogge stopped 13 out of 14 shots One very-improved stat—faceoffs...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 383 reads 1 comments
Maples Leafs-Blues Stats: Individual Efforts Saved The Day

Three Cheers for Schenn! Three hits (game high). Plus-three on the night (also a game high). Three head fakes before potting the winner. The Good Two goals for Hagman on four shots...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 679 reads 3 comments
Maple Leafs-Penguins Stats: Not Nearly Enough Grit from Toronto in Pittsburgh

The Weak Five blocked shots—not nearly enough. One shorthanded goal against. Ouch. Five players with two or more hits, versus nine for the Pens. 33-percent success rate on face offs for Grabovski, which needs to improve...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 755 reads 0 comments
Toronto Maple Leafs' Game Stats Mostly Positive in 7-4 Win over Buffalo

Positives: 23 blocked shots (11 for Buffalo). Four blocked shots by Jeff Finger (that's what he's here for, people!). One giveaway not by a goalie. Five hits by Ryan Hollweg...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 912 reads 3 comments
Brian McCabe Traded: Christmas Comes Early to Toronto

A few months ago, I thought McCabe would never go. There were reports of a brewing standoff between management and the once almost-star defender...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 229 reads 0 comments
Mats Sundin's Soliloquy

To skate or not to skate—that is the question: Whether tis nobler in the rink to sufferThe checks and slashes of outrageous goonsOr play golf and swing away my troublesAnd by retiring end them...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 895 reads 17 comments
Youthful Top Lines Welcome in Toronto

The latest interview with Cliff Fletcher in the Toronto media indicates that Maple Leaf fans will be treated to some young legs on the top two lines come October...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 625 reads 5 comments
Expect Surprises: Of All Kinds

Last year was one crappy year for the Leafs. After what was supposed to be a big signing in Jason Blake, and a promise by Paul Maurice that the Leafs would compete for the Stanley Cup, the wheels came off the bus...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 175 reads 1 comments
Depth at Agitator Position

Man are the fans up in arms about Hollweg for a fifth round pick next year. I've got to admit—Fletcher is tossing around picks a wee bit more than I'd like, but you can see a team identity forming here before it even hits the preseason ice...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 230 reads 6 comments
Fickle Toronto Fans: Can Fletcher Trade Them Too?

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Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 126 reads 2 comments
Sundin Returning Will Prolong Leafs Turnaround

Sundin, the enigmatic Swede. What ever will the big man do? Go to Montreal and its potential run for the cup? Take the zany money from Vancouver? Return to the semi-known quantity of the Leafs? ...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 138 reads 0 comments
Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher Rolls Dice with Retooled Roster

Aside from whether Sundin makes the call to return to the Leafs, and barring a trade involving Kubina or McCabe, it looks like the die is both cast, as well as being, in an unusual case of metaphorical homonyms, rolled, as well...

Written by Mark Makuch about about 1 year ago 379 reads 3 comments

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Mark Makuch Article Archive

No Matter How Boring, Toronto's Not Backtracking About Building Forward Depth

In Praise of Alexei Ponikarovsky

Burke's Plan, Or, for the First Time Damien Cox Is Onto Something

Why 2008-09 Has Been a Success for the Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs' Best Paid Players Lack Essential Character

Toronto Maple Leafs Castoffs Prove Cliff Fletcher Right (Mostly)

Toronto Maple Leafs: Is Anyone Untouchable?

Could the Toronto Maple Leafs Be Turning the Corner?

Alex Steen Had to Leave the Toronto Maple Leafs

Unexpected Goals for Leafs

Leafs-Lightning Preview: Leafs Will Have Tough Time

Leafs-Senators: Hard Work Nets Toronto Solid Win over Ottawa

Toronto Maple Leafs: Ten Reasons Why They're Back On Track

Toronto Maple Leafs Game Stats: A Few Good Things in Ugly Loss to St. Louis

Maples Leafs-Blues Stats: Individual Efforts Saved The Day

Maple Leafs-Penguins Stats: Not Nearly Enough Grit from Toronto in Pittsburgh

Toronto Maple Leafs' Game Stats Mostly Positive in 7-4 Win over Buffalo

Brian McCabe Traded: Christmas Comes Early to Toronto

Mats Sundin's Soliloquy

Youthful Top Lines Welcome in Toronto

Expect Surprises: Of All Kinds

Depth at Agitator Position

Fickle Toronto Fans: Can Fletcher Trade Them Too?

Sundin Returning Will Prolong Leafs Turnaround

Leafs GM Cliff Fletcher Rolls Dice with Retooled Roster

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