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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 2) — The Leafs made their best move of the summer so far by re-signing Mikhail Grabovski to a three year, $8.7-million contract today. With Michael Komisarek having joined the club yesterday in free agency, do you think the three Leafs-Habs games at the Bell Centre will be a little interesting […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 1) – If you want to blame Brian Burke for anything in his initial foray into free agency on behalf of the Maple Leafs, perhaps suggest that he change travel agents. It turns out his flight of desperation to Sweden arrived too late to head off the Sedin twins. By the […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (July 1)  — More than 47 years after refusing to add him to their negotiating list, the Maple Leafs have finally signed Orr… but not the 61-year-old hall of fame defenseman that may have been the best player to ever lace it up in the National Hockey League. It’s very likely that […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (June 30) — Irrespective of cries for conservatism from this corner, or elsewhere, it seems a virtual certainty that Brian Burke will attempt to alter the veteran nucleus of the Toronto Maple Leafs in free agency, beginning tomorrow.
I spoke to a well-known executive of a Western Conference team this evening, who happened to be […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (June 30) – After hosting Hockey Central at Noon on THE FAN-590 Monday, I engaged in a brief debate with a colleague of mine at the radio station. Cornering me in a hallway outside the producers’ office, this gentleman asked, “So, what do you think of your pal Burkie?” in an obvious […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
MONTREAL (June 27) – With an uneventful but promising entry draft now behind the Maple Leafs, general manager Brian Burke will turn his attention to this coming Wednesday, July 1st, and the National Hockey League’s annual free agent swap meet. Burke promises he’ll be “active” on the open market – keep an eye […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
MONTREAL (June 27) – Brian Burke’s foray into Round 1 of the 2009 National Hockey League draft was doomed on two fronts: a) he had only one asset that rival general managers were interested in, and b) he talked too much.
Neither factor is likely to change anytime soon.
Burke is an accomplished GM and […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
MONTREAL (June 26) — It is easy to understand why Brian Burke was intrigued when Boston counterpart Peter Chiarelli called him yesterday to talk shop. Chiarelli expressed interest in veteran defenseman Tomas Kaberle, who could become a finishing piece on the loaded Bruins’ roster. Imagine a multi-talented blueline that features Zdeno Chara, Dennis […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
MONTREAL (June 25) – After more than 2 ½ months of boldly proclaiming his desire to land the top-rated prospect in this year’s National Hockey League draft, Maple Leafs’ general manager Brian Burke has conceded he’s out of the John Tavares sweepstakes. “I don’t think the [New York] Islanders are moving their [No. […]

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By HOWARD BERGER
TORONTO (June 23) – Some thoughts, observations and gut feelings about the Maple Leafs heading into the National Hockey League entry draft Friday at Montreal… 
MOVIN’ ON UP: Though general manager Brian Burke has forcefully indicated his desire to not only trade up from the club’s No. 7 draft slot – but to grab […]

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