Dear TMLfans community.

It's with sadness that I inform you all of the passing of Kevin Marchment, our 2018 teammate and long-time supporter of TMLfans.

Several of Kevin's friends have posted messages of condolences on his FB page, as today would have been his birthday.

I do not have any further information at this time. Please remember him in your thoughts and prayers.  He was a terrific person.

Sincerely,

Rob

Hi friends,

On Saturday, September 27, I will be participating in Road Hockey To Conquer Cancer. I will be on one of over 100 teams, playing five games between sunrise and sunset.  All players have a single-minded goal; to raise funds to beat cancer during our lifetime.

The cause is very close to my heart. All have us have known someone who has been affected, or worse, claimed by the disease. Most recently our family lost one of my cousins who lived in the Philippines. Cancer, unfortunately, does not discriminate between old or young, male or female.

If you have a moment, please visit the link to my donations page. No amount is too small, all contributions are appreciated.

Also, as my way of saying thanks, I'm offering all donors to my page a chance to win some prizes (click the link for details!)
http://rhcc1.akaraisin.com/toronto2014/RobDelMundo

Thanks in advance for your support.

Cheers

Rob

Friends,

I'm happy to announce that "The Best, Worst, and Biggest NHL Trades of All Time!" – the book I co-authored with Andrew Podnieks – is now available online, and in stores.

The book analyzes 58 trades, made between 1930-2007, involving several current and future Hall of Famers.

Each trade looks at three parts to the transaction:

• The Dirt - what led to the trade
• The Debate - a comparison of the players involved
• The Result - who won, and who lost

Also in each chapter are short 'did you know?' sidebar stories on one or more players involved in the deal.

Here's an excerpt from the liner notes:

King Clancy was traded at the height of his career. So was Wayne Gretzky, Jaromir Jagr, Phil Esposito, and Howie Morenz. They got traded for other great players and draft choices, big names and small. Indeed, some teams became much stronger after a trade; others much weaker. Trades have been made to strengthen teams, shed a huge contract,or get rid of a disgruntled player. Sometimes the best player in a deal has turned out to be a draft choice who develops into a superstar many years later; sometimes it's the immediate benefit that matters the most. The Best, Worst, and Biggest NHL Trades of All Time! is devoted to the risky business of trading players. Some of the results are well-known; others are less so. Some trades leave a fan wondering how a GM could have made the deal; others make clear the genius of that GM.

Click here to order: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/best-worst-and-biggest-nhl/9781552679173-item.html?LangType=4105&__lang=en-CA

Cheers and thanks for the support!
-Rob

The Leafs have traded Joe Colborne to the Calgary Flames for a 4th-round draft pick.

Colborne, 23, was originally acquired by Toronto on February 18, 2011 in a trade that sent Tomas Kaberle to Boston.

In 16 career games with the Maple Leafs, Colborne had one goal and five assists.

I had the opportunity to cover the NHL general managers' meetings Wednesday an put together the following summary:

http://www.tmlfans.ca/blogs/7919-nhl-general-managers-review-tweaks

What changes would you like to see made to the game? Mandatory visors? Reduction of goalie pad size? Hybrid icing? Coach's challenge?

Here are a dozen noteworthy players in Leafs history who have worn the number 12 for the blue and white.

http://www.tmlfans.ca/blogs/6993-a-dozen-twelves-for-121212

It's a sad day in this country, particularly if you love reading about amateur sport.

Long time Toronto Star journalist Randy Starkman has passed away due to pneumonia. He was 51.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/olympics/article/1162440--toronto-star-s-randy-starkman-dead-at-51?bn=1

Starkman did occasional Leafs coverage, and also co-authored Lindros' biography just before he turned pro.  But his main focus was amateur sport. He covered 12 Olympic games. 

On a personal level, I hadn't covered an event with him since the 2010 Clarkson Cup, but I'm thankful that I had gotten to know him as a colleague.  Rest in peace, Randy.

The Maple Leafs have recalled forwards Nazem Kadri and Ryan Hamilton from the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.

The recalls are on an emergency basis as Leafs players Matt Frattin and Clarke MacArthur are listed as day-to-day with lower-body and upper-body injuries, respectively.

Hamilton, who is the Marlies captain, is expected to make his NHL debut when the Leafs play in New Jersey on Friday. He has compiled 23 goals and 46 points in 65 AHL games this year.

Kadri, who has played 19 games in 2011-12 collecting six points along the way, has registered 32 points in 42 games with the Marlies.

Leafs press release:

Brian Burke, President and General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Tuesday that the hockey club has recalled forward Darryl Boyce from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. The Maple Leafs also placed Colby Armstrong on injured reserve with a concussion and he is out indefinitely.

Boyce, 27, has appeared in 22 games with the Marlies this season, collecting four goals and six assists for 10 points with 22 penalty minutes. The 6-0, 200-pound native of Summerside, P.E.I. registered 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists), a plus-eight (+8) rating and 33 penalty minutes in 46 games with the Maple Leafs in 2010-11. He also collected six goals, 10 assists, 16 points, 48 penalty minutes and a plus-seven (+7) rating in 35 games with the Marlies last season.