Julian Sanchez

It can sometimes be tough being a fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs although not necessarily because of the losing. It's nothing special. Lots of teams in professional sports, let alone hockey, have gone decades without championships. Lots of teams in professional sports have terrible seasons or even

So I guess today marks the beginning of the Ron Wilson era. Yesterday covered the view from San Jose and the hope that his player development skills have not been overblown. The quotation in the fanshot below shows that Wilson is coming into this situation with his eyes open and

When the Catholic Church elects, or is divinely inspired to select, a new Pope the announcement is accompanied by a couple of signals. After each vote the secret ballots are burned in a fireplace and, after a successful vote, a chemical is added to make the smoke come out white

Disappointing start to Euro. The host Swiss got screwed (maybe they should have talked to the South Koreans beforehand) and Portugal won their game. Today the Poles get to try to earn some measure of revenge for the Blitzkrieg while their fans can try to surpass the Germans as the

One of the great features of the new SBN platform is that I can schedule posts to run at any time in the future. In fact, the "LEAFS WIN STANLEY CUP!" post is ready to run at 1:36am (it's game 7 in overtime in case

West Coast hockey gets short thrift in Toronto, until one of their coaches potentially gets hired by MLSE, so it can sometimes be tough to form opinions on the people that operate in the relative vacuum of the 10PM EST puck drop. In those cases, it's best to

As Leaf fans we are all familiar with the nature of reporting in Toronto as it pertains to the Leafs (or really, any sport). It is equal parts assinine, disingenuous, and outright lies. Oh, and sometimes they do that at the behest of one of Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber.

West Coast hockey gets short thrift in Toronto, until one of their coaches potentially gets hired by MLSE, so it can sometimes be tough to form opinions on the people that operate in the relative vacuum of the 10PM EST puck drop. In those cases, it's best to

Despite the best efforts of the Penguins last night the Stanley Cup Final is over. No more Pensblog, no more hockey, and no more Hockey Night in Canada theme song?!?!! I defend the CBC to a certain extent but it is criminal for them to think that they can toss

West Coast hockey gets short thrift in Toronto, until one of their coaches potentially gets hired by MLSE, so it can sometimes be tough to form opinions on the people that operate in the relative vacuum of the 10PM EST puck drop. In those cases, it's best to

So it looks like we'll have to be patient with Ron as he has to discuss the opening with his wife in South Carolina. I tend to agree with the suggestion that the Leafs do not want to usurp the Stanley Cup Final with an announcement and press

In anticipation of what will likely be one more in a string of painful seasons I thought that I'd examine some of the painful dates in the team's history. Most of this will deal with recent history (read: what I remember as painful) which is painful

Sometimes coincidences are just coincidences and some times they are part of a massive worldwide conspiracy for global domination. While I previously thought that the people charging the Leafs with tampering were running around tilting at windmills it looks like maybe the Leafs' do have a grand scheme in

Just links this morning. Oh, and a nod to TFC who won on the weekend to stretch their home unbeaten streak to six games (four wins and two ties) in front of their boisterous crowd. While the team has improved significantly it was shorn of a few starters and still

I freaking love the old Celebrity Jeopardy skits on SNL. While the show was (is?) in a lull from the glory days (like the Leafs!) these were some of the best skits that they could put together. Except for when they jackass Jimmy Fallon was laughing throughout. Anyway, here are

Obviously, the big news in the hockey world are these comments by the greatest Leaf ever Mats Sundin. The quotation that is causing the most consternation is this one: I'd like to know what's going to happen in the general manager position, whether Cliff (Fletcher) is

Last night's piece covers the mystery around the Leafs' hiring process but Mark Zwolinski is reporting that some of the management team candidates are being courted elsewhere. This actually came up in a discussion last night but, while going through a considered process is a nice change

Tampering is a pretty serious charge in sports. Teams can barely keep their executives and players from honouring their contracts as things stand. Real Madrid are notorious for putting out a shopping list of players that they desire during every transfer window regardless of whether that players has just signed

Once upon a time, the Leafs and Red Wings played in the same division. They, along with their divisional buddies, were so terrible that the Norris Division was renamed the Snorris Division.  Last night's second game of the Stanley Cup Final reminded me that the more things change

So it looks like MLSE is looking to expand it's sporting empire to Yorkshire. As a soccer fan, I appreciate the fact that MLSE has decided to go with Leeds for a simple reason: their fans HATE Manchester United. If anyone could make the scouser's hatred

Less than a month to the entry draft the Leafs are still without a coach, GM, or President or some combination of the three. Lance Hornsby, The Omen, and their cohorts are anxious to have the positions filled so that they can begin criticising the choice. The article mentions the

Despite the dreary weather it's a wonderful morning. TFC is unbeaten in six, Justin Pogge is writing his name into AHL history and getting ready to shine in the NHL, and John Terry will probably be dropped from the England team. Sure, Manchester United won the CL yesterday

In response to some requests here is a shorter version of yesterday's intro to the new Pension Plan Puppets. As always, there are links at the bottom. If you have questions or trouble with the new system, post a comment in this thread and myself or one of

While I was pretty happy that my prediction for the Canada game almost came true the Gold Medal match was slightly less fulfilling. And by slightly I mean horrifically so. After watching Canada twice grab a two goal lead the team's decision to sit back and defend cost

First off, let's give thanks to Queen Victoria for being born around this weekend and providing us with a holiday just as the warm weather is ramping into gear. Secondly, let's give a hearty boo to the weather for not cooperating. Furthermore, Canada faces Sweden at