Mike Augello: Matthews slowly progressing towards return; Burke blasts Toronto media

GARDINER sucks

As does BURKE

Gardiner sucks right after Zaitsev/Carrick/Borgman/Hainsey

Burke the Blowhard

GARDINER sucks
- MaximusAurelius

At least someone is picking up the slack for Lums.

Burke is correct unfortunately. 80% (at least) of the Toronto based media want nothing more than the Leafs to fail. Since we've seen an upswing in the Leafs' fortunes,we get more top 10 lists of "Leafs worst trades"or "Leafs worst draft picks".

And it's not just the hacks working for Bleacher Report, Fansided and the Hockey News. It's ones who work for big national papers, Sportsnet and TSN, like that bald bloke who proclaimed Matthews will never score like Laine and Laine will win the Calder.

The level of sports journalism in Canada, and especially Toronto in amateur and fairly embarrassing.

It's a shame really.

I mean who's idea was it to have Simpson and Hughson (and previously Healy), doing commentary on the Leafs on NHIC every Saturday? It's bizarre. It's like hiring Mel Gibson to do a bar mitzvah

Since the Leafs are one of the best Faceoffs teams in the league, they never so much as whisper the word Faceoff anymore.

Burke is correct unfortunately. 80% (at least) of the Toronto based media want nothing more than the Leafs to fail. Since we've seen an upswing in the Leafs' fortunes,we get more top 10 lists of "Leafs worst trades"or "Leafs worst draft picks".

And it's not just the hacks working for Bleacher Report, Fansided and the Hockey News. It's ones who work for big national papers, Sportsnet and TSN, like that bald bloke who proclaimed Matthews will never score like Laine and Laine will win the Calder.

The level of sports journalism in Canada, and especially Toronto in amateur and fairly embarrassing.

It's a shame really.

I mean who's idea was it to have Simpson and Hughson (and previously Healy), doing commentary on the Leafs on NHIC every Saturday? It's bizarre. It's like hiring Mel Gibson to do a bar mitzvah

Since the Leafs are one of the best Faceoffs teams in the league, they never so much as whisper the word Faceoff anymore.
- walshyleafsfan

Spatso is bald?

Spatso is bald?
- Atomic Wedgie

That would suck being bald at 12 years old.

Spatso is bald?
- Atomic Wedgie

Larry Gawless

Shut the (frank) up Burkie.

Burke is 100% correct on his take on the media in Toronto. Just look at the treatment of Mitch Marner lately. They actually had a Mitch Marner distance to the net tracker after their game against Boston on Friday night. Marner should never have been put on the 4th line to begin with and I believe Babcock has showed some inexplicable roster decisions this year already. All that did was give the Toronto media their whipping boy for the past 3 weeks. At least Marner finally scored on Saturday so the media will now lay off as they turn their ugly heads to their next victim who hasn't scored in awhile: William Nylander.

Burke is 100% correct on his take on the media in Toronto. Just look at the treatment of Mitch Marner lately. They actually had a Mitch Marner distance to the net tracker after their game against Boston on Friday night. Marner should never have been put on the 4th line to begin with and I believe Babcock has showed some inexplicable roster decisions this year already. All that did was give the Toronto media their whipping boy for the past 3 weeks. At least Marner finally scored on Saturday so the media will now lay off as they turn their ugly heads to their next victim who hasn't scored in awhile: William Nylander.
- HockeyHunter

well.. to be fair.. he ís a floater who takes his points in the slipstream of awesome matthews

The media here does suck but what does that have to do with Bennett being garbage

GARDINER sucks
-MaximusAurelius

Your punctuation and incorrect usage of capitalization sucks. Truth be told, I expected a higher standard of criticism from a philosopher king.

The media here does suck but what does that have to do with Bennett being garbage
- daeth

This seems like maurice complaining about the leafs when the jets sucked last year.

Seems like these are butthurt about the leafs doing well.

The media here does suck but what does that have to do with Bennett being garbage
- daeth

I wish he named Cox, Simmonds & Berger

I wish he named Cox, Simmonds & Berger
- twiztedmike

and fessuck

This seems like maurice complaining about the leafs when the jets sucked last year.

Seems like these are butthurt about the leafs doing well.
- Tumbleweed

i hope they miss the playoffs

Someone should ask Burkie about Tyler Biggs.

i hope they miss the playoffs
- daeth

Me too, but with the way Scheifele and Wheeler have been playing. If they remain healthy I see them making playoffs. Hellebuyck seems to be dialed in now too.

Burke is full of shtt.....Rent a barn b'y and string ya self up..

Let's be honest. Burke did not put together a good team here in Toronto and the media was doing it's job ripping that tire fire apart.

Babcock is doing just fine. Marner was demoted to get him away from Bozak and JvR who were having a horrible start.
There's no room on Matthews line for Marner, and the Kadri line is taking on the heavy assignment of shutting down the other teams top line.
This was a chance for him to play against weaker competition and get some confidence back. He still got Power Play time during his demotion.
And in the end, it looks like it worked.

I could only assume your joking here, nylander is an exceptional talent who will probably end up centering line two for years to come in the not to distant future. Sure he hasnt been findind the twine as much lately but lets not even think about giving up with this kid. He makes some mistakes at times but he also makes everyone on the ice a better player when he's there. He will be the perfect compliment to matthews for the organization for years to come. Little slump could also help the leafs when negotiating a contract which probably isnt the worst thing that could happen with all the young rookies that will need to be signed over the next couple years.

I could only assume your joking here, nylander is an exceptional talent who will probably end up centering line two for years to come in the not to distant future. Sure he hasnt been findind the twine as much lately but lets not even think about giving up with this kid. He makes some mistakes at times but he also makes everyone on the ice a better player when he's there. He will be the perfect compliment to matthews for the organization for years to come. Little slump could also help the leafs when negotiating a contract which probably isnt the worst thing that could happen with all the young rookies that will need to be signed over the next couple years.
- Chardcore709

he's a floater
no backbone
zero truculence
bad hair
trade him