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Articles by Rick Vaive
If you can't stand the heat in Toronto, time to go
If you're going to have a high-profile role as a Toronto Maple Leaf, be ready for all the attention that comes with it. We didn't have a choice in the 1980s. There were some years our team struggled, the media was around all the time, and we had to be accountable. There was nowhere to hide. I know that times have changed and players are more coddled, but I have to think the Toronto-area guys on this team know full well what's expected of them.
RICK VAIVE: If you can't stand the heat in Toronto, time to go
Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs (right) and Evan Rodrigues of the Florida Panthers react after Florida scored its fifth goal in Game Seven of the Second Round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 18, 2025 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. (Credit: Claus Andersen) If you’re going to have a high-profile role as a Toronto Maple Leaf, be ready for all the attention that comes with it. We didn’t have a choice in the 1980s.
RICK VAIVE: If you can't stand the heat in Toronto, time to go
We didn’t have a choice in the 1980s. There were some years our team struggled, the media was around all the time, and we had to be accountable. There was nowhere to hide. I know that times have changed and players are more coddled, but I have to think the Toronto-area guys on this team know full well what’s expected of them. Now that their season is over again, it’s getting clear a player such as Mitch Marner isn’t cut out for it.
RICK VAIVE: Mitch Marner's time with Toronto Maple Leafs likely at an end Original
I have to think that’s what’s rolling around in Mitch Marner’s head before Game 6. Hey, I think he’s a hell of a player who has averaged 90 to 100 points every year. But the bottom line, if the Leafs lose this series to Florida, is that you have to look at everything. And what myself and lot of people see is a Core Four who’ve been together eight or nine years and haven’t got it done at playoff time. It’s the old saying about the definition of insanity, making the same mistakes over and over.
How Auston Matthews can beat the goal blues
Auston Matthews has great hands, but what he might need now is a puck to go in off his ass. Even the great scorers go through the kind of slump he's in now, and while the timing sucks that it's happening during the NHL playoffs, if I'm him, I wouldn't change what has worked so well for me in the past eight or nine years. For one, he's getting chances, the kind that come with getting the good minutes and being on the first power-play unit.
RICK VAIVE: How Auston Matthews can beat the goal blues
Even the great scorers go through the kind of slump he’s in now, and while the timing sucks that it’s happening during the NHL playoffs, if I’m him, I wouldn’t change what has worked so well for me in the past eight or nine years. For one, he’s getting chances, the kind that come with getting the good minutes and being on the first power-play unit. Two, like his coach says, he’s doing so many other things right that are helping his team.
RICK VAIVE: How Auston Matthews can beat the goal blues
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky catches the puck in front of Toronto Maple Leafs centre Auston Matthews during the first period of Game 4 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series on May 11, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (Credit: Michael Laughlin) Auston Matthews has great hands, but what he might need now is a puck to go in off his ass.
RICK VAIVE: Two cagey Stanley Cup coaches enliven this series Original
But I’ve also enjoyed watching what’s happening behind both benches. Paul Maurice of the Panthers started Game 3 with an entirely new fourth line, A.J. Greer, Tomas Nosek and Jonah Gadjovich. Who does that? Two of them hadn’t been in a playoff game halfway through the second round. I guess a guy who has won the Stanley Cup does it. Craig Berube, who also has a Cup, keeps impressing me, too.
RICK VAIVE: Letting Nylander be himself is best for Maple Leafs Original
Our numbers are also double digits, 22 and 88. But the similarities between myself and William Nylander kind of end right there. He’s far more talented, his speed and edge work are so impressive. He sweeps around the net with such ease, though if I had done that in my day, someone would have tried to take my head off. Of course, I liked being in front of the net, too, but it was driven into us by coaches to stay in our zone and not start up ice until we had full puck possession.
RICK VAIVE: Letting Nylander be himself is best for Maple Leafs
Published May 08, 2025 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute read Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander. Photo by Claus Andersen /Getty Images Article content We both play right wing, spent a few years with the Leafs and know a few things about shooting and scoring. Advertisement 2 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
RICK VAIVE: To win in playoffs, the best teams can't lose their heads Original
On one hand, there was Anthony Stolarz of the Leafs getting hurt without a penalty called on Sam Bennett. One the other, it seems you can’t get away with anything, including justifiable retaliation. There weren’t two referees when I played, so a lot less was penalized. Yet today, the silliest things get called, such as a stick if it’s up in the wrong place, a quick hold-and-release or a tap on the gloves that’s ruled a slash.
RICK VAIVE: To win in playoffs, the best teams can't lose their heads
• You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content I can see where people who grew up watching a different National Hockey League — and those playing in it now — can sometimes get frustrated. Advertisement 2 Don't have an account? Create Account Article content On one hand, there was Anthony Stolarz of the Leafs getting hurt without a penalty called on Sam Bennett.
RICK VAIVE: Don't over-crowd that Leaf bandwagon just yet Original
On Thursday night, I was at the draft party for the Baycrest Pro-Am, a charity hockey tournament in support of the battle against Alzheimer’s disease. Game 6 was on TV, and the people were going nuts after the Leafs eliminated Ottawa. My only advice? Don’t get too carried away, folks. That’s just two series wins in 21 years, and as much as you respect what Ottawa did, they’re a team with hardly any playoff experience in eight years.
RICK VAIVE: Don't over-crowd that Leaf bandwagon just yet
Published May 02, 2025 • Last updated 18 hours ago • 3 minute read Florida Panthers defenceman Gustav Forsling (right) checks Tampa Bay Lightning centre Jake Guentzel during Game 5 of a Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on April 30, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. Photo by Chris O'Meara /The Associated Press Article content To experience the Maple Leafs winning a series, while sitting with a bunch of hard-core fans, makes you see how much the playoffs mean to this fan base, year after year.
RICK VAIVE: Time for Craig Berube to make himself heard in the room Original
While I understand the coach doesn’t want to share his thoughts in the media as he said Wednesday, let’s hope he’s making a point behind closed doors. I was floored the Leafs played as badly against Ottawa as they did in Game 5, whether it was at home or not. In my evaluation, Berube has to be pissed off by now. It’s time to call people out and say: “We expect more from you.” On that front, I’m going to give Auston Matthews a bit of a break here.
RICK VAIVE: Hat trick of overtimes hard on the players, but great for the fans
Published Apr 27, 2025 • Last updated 8 hours ago • 3 minute read Drake Batherson gets his stick up in the face of Chris Tanev during overtime on Saturday, earning a double minor. The Leafs power play, with John Tavares temporarily unavailable, couldn’t score in the four minutes with the man advantage. Photo by JUSTIN TANG /THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content Nothing tops the drama of NHL playoff overtime, right?
RICK VAIVE: In praise of the blue line's unsung heroes and Leafs excellent work in faceoff circle Original
Just watch how the Leafs celebrated with Simon Benoit after Game 3 — you could see his elation and everyone else’s. It’s the same when I played and a guy such as Barry Melrose or Bob McGill would get one unexpectedly, or even a more-gifted defenceman like Todd Gill was rewarded. And to score in overtime? How about that! We’ve all seen the old Leafs highlights of Bob Baun’s goal in the 1964 playoffs. You get the same feeling when a fourth-liner scores and they’re even more welcome at playoff time.
RICK VAIVE: In praise of the blue line's unsung heroes and Leafs excellent work in faceoff circle
The Toronto Sun welcomes former Toronto captain and three-time 50-goal winger Rick Vaive for our 2025 Maple Leafs playoff coverage. • You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content There’s nothing like a goal from a hard-working defenceman to bring a hockey team closer together. Advertisement 2 Don't have an account?
RICK VAIVE: Nylander raising his game with Matthews out Original
• You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account. Article content The Toronto Sun welcomes former Toronto captain and three-time 50-goal winger Rick Vaive to our 2024 Maple Leafs playoff coverage. Advertisement 2 Don't have an account? Create Account Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team. We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
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