Community Picks: Toronto 0% vs Columbus 0%

The Toronto Maple Leafs, who opened their season with a win on Wednesday, go on the road Friday night to help the Columbus Blue Jackets open their season. The Maple Leafs introduced John Tavares as their new captain Wednesday before defeating the visiting Ottawa Senators 5-3 in the season opener for both teams. "(Tavares is) the kind of man, and he's the kind of leader, he's the kind of person that our guys look up to and does everything right every day," Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after the game Wednesday. Continue to Article

October 03, 2019 7:27:pm EST

The Florida Panthers allowed general manager Dale Tallon to open the checkbook after the 2018-19 season, and both are banking on good results in South Florida this year. The Panthers open their season on the road against the in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. In a commitment to win now, ownership gave Tallon the go-ahead to spend near the salary cap ceiling, and he didn't wait long to improve the club. Continue to Article

October 02, 2019 7:37:pm EST

As needless as it was to continue to drag the captaincy saga all the way through training camp as to hijack the dialogue on the morning of the opening game of the season, what carried less purpose for the Toronto Maple Leafs was robbing Jason Spezza of the opportunity to dress on opening night. While disguised as apparent concern over Spezza's ability to kill penalties against maybe the worst team in the league, really all that Mike Babcock accomplished with the decision was continuing on his misplaced mission to make an example of the veteran centre. On this power trip from the outset of training camp, Babcock has essentially run an open campaign against Spezza, several times questioning his willingness to fulfill the function of a depth piece. Continue to Article

October 02, 2019 3:21:pm EST