Episodes
Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, joins JD to discuss the Maple Leafs hiring Craig Berube, what kind of change he can instill, his coaching nature, his big challenges, how coaches like Berube can relate to younger players, the Edmonton Oilers moving onto the Western Conference Finals, plus Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes (4:00). Later on, the gents get into the pair of NBA Game 7's over the weekend. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and...
Published 05/21/24
Published 05/21/24
JD chats about breaking news Scottie Scheffler was detained Friday morning (00:00). Luke Gazdic, former NHL forward and Sportsnet NHL analyst, breaks down the frustrating Oilers, the goaltending conundrums and underrated Rangers players (10:00). JD touches on the legacy stakes for Jamal Murray and the Timberwolves and Nuggets heading into game 7. Tim Leiweke, former MLSE CEO and current CEO of the Oak View Group, discusses building modern sports stadiums, new MLSE CEO Keith Pelley and Toronto...
Published 05/17/24
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD to chat about the growing sample size of the Blue Jays, if an upcoming winning streak is actually good for the team, reasons to re-tool or re-build, what a win-win move might look like and the biggest 'what if' in recent Toronto sports memory (00:00). Zach Harper, NBA writer with The Bounce and The Athletic, discusses Nikola Jokic's ascension, why high-calibre NBA defences struggle to handle Jokic, if Shaquille O'Neal's most-dominant...
Published 05/16/24
Jeff Blair of Sportsnet's Blair & Barker, explores Canada Soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup and George Springer's predicament with the Blue Jays (00:00). Later, JD praises Nikola Jokic's Game 5 masterpiece and wonders where's the love from the rest of the NBA (35:00). DJ Bean, co-host of the Whats Chaos Show, checks-in to discuss the madness in the Bruins-Panthers and Canucks-Oiler series; how NHL fans view' rats', how the Leafs might've faired against the Panthers, the Oilers-Canucks...
Published 05/15/24
After a heroic playoff performance, JD emphasizes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's case as Canada's best athlete (00:00). Shi Davidi, Sportsnet's senior MLB columnist, breaks down the big-picture importance of the Blue Jays next two series, the Orioles' interest in Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson's lows, how the Jays are feeling about Alek Manoah and Yariel Rodriguez, why George Springer is still the lead-off hitter and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s recent success (10:00). Later on, the gents briefly discuss...
Published 05/14/24
Blake Murphy, Raptors analyst and host of Jays Talk Plus, just JD to discuss the aftermath of the NBA Draft Lottery. Was it a good or bad thing that the Raptors lost their 2024 first-round pick? What are the Raptors prioritizing this off-season? What to expect from the 2024 NBA draft? (00:00). Plus, JD and Blake chat about the Blue Jays' weekend, the biggest signs of optimism and pessimism, if and when Ross Atkins' time is up, and Alek Manoah's path back to a full-time starter (24:00). James...
Published 05/13/24
Sportsnet's Jeff Marek joins JD Bunkis to discuss how Sheldon Keefe handled his final media conference and moments with the Maple Leafs, the challenge of striking the right tone, Keith Pelley's unique approach and understanding where the Leafs fan base is at (00:00). Sportsnet's Luke Fox notes the power shift at MLSE, the Leafs' crucial off-season questions and how it was covering Keefe during his tenure (25:00). JD gets into how Sheldon Keefe understood the Toronto market place and his...
Published 05/10/24
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD in-studio to get into how the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes them feel about the Leafs' exit, current rankings of the Blue Jays' lineup, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his cringe post-game interview shower (00:00). Jim Bowden, MLB insider and analyst, talks about where the Blue Jays are, why it's time to make tough decisions, and the black cloud that still hovering (50:00). Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos join the...
Published 05/09/24
Whit Merrifield, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, talks about how his free-agency landed him in Philly, why his time in Toronto concluded, the vibe around the 2023 Blue Jays, how it's like as a player when the team isn't getting results and his love for city (2:00). Later, JD chats about the NHL Draft Lottery and matchups in the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (27:00). Derrick Lewis a.k.a. "The Black Beast" discusses his upcoming heavyweight main event at UFC 301, how his...
Published 05/08/24
JD details the Maple Leafs' exit interviews; Mitch Marner's "looked upon as Gods" comment, John Tavares thinking the Leafs are "right there", William Nylander's admiration for the core, credit to Sheldon Keefe and criticism about his remarks on the powerplay process (00:00). James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, and JD discuss the what news could come of Friday's Leafs management press conference, the confidence level that Marner will waive his no-move clause and the...
Published 05/07/24
JD lays out what went wrong, what we learned and what should be next for the Toronto Maple Leafs following another first-round playoff loss (00:00). Mike Futa, former NHL executive and analyst with Sportsnet, discusses Matthew Tkachuk's poke at the Leafs, how a front office goes about trading a player with a no movement clause, what Sheldon Keefe speaking to the media on locker clean-out day could suggest and an observation about the relationship between Brad Treliving and Brendan Shanahan...
Published 05/06/24
JD lays out the stakes and implications of Game 7 between the Leafs and Bruins. James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, discusses the anxiety in Boston, the Leafs playing 'playoff hockey', Brad Treliving's additions, credit to Sheldon Keefe and which Maple Leaf has the most to gain or lose (8:00). Teemu Selanne, Hockey Hall of Famer, talks about the anxiety in Boston, playing Game 7 on the road, the importance of special teams, Jim Montgomery calling out David Pastrňák, the...
Published 05/03/24
Jackie Redmond from the NHL on TNT and NHL Network joins JD in-studio to get into the feelings heading into Game 6 in Toronto; being a Leafs fan, embracing change, what coming back from 3-1 could mean for the rest of the Leafs playoffs and the off-season, how the 'others' on the team might feel, and negativity in the media (00:00). Mike Rupp, former NHL forward and analyst with NHL Network, discusses the dramatic highs and lows of the Maple Leafs, building a culture, how Auston Matthews has...
Published 05/02/24
Luke Fox, NHL writer with Sportsnet, discusses the vibes before, during, and after Game 5, Brad Marchand's defensiveness about blowing a 3-1 lead, what the Bruins are starting to question, and the latest health update on Auston Matthews (7:00). JD lays out points of optimism for Leafs fans, but wonders why their effort is so inconsistent. Former NHL goaltender, Carter Hutton, joins JD to breakdown how Joseph Woll impressed, if the Leafs waited too long to bring Woll in, Woll's psychological...
Published 05/01/24
Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show, and JD discuss Jamal Murray's clutch gene, the exhaustion of the Maple Leafs and their fans, William Nylander being mic'd up in Game 4, plus a big picture Blue Jays questions regarding their stars and manager (00:00). Felix Potvin, former Maple Leafs goaltender, chats about the tactic Sheldon Keefe took by telling the media that the Leafs effort was fine, advice for Joseph Woll, Jeremey Swayman's form, the feeling you have to fight down in a series,...
Published 04/30/24
JD relays the temperature of Maple Leafs fans after a porous Game 4 showing. Kris Versteeg, 2x Stanley Cup champion and Creator of the Klevr App, gets into what the Leafs are lacking. How do the Leafs still not have an identity? Plus, organizational and locker-room accountability, betting on talent, taking pride in your role, coaching shortcomings, quantifying effort and the loser psyche (8:00). JD then tells his experience at the ballpark watching Shohei Ohtani dunk on Blue Jays nation...
Published 04/29/24
Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD Bunkis to chat about the Leafs crowd in Toronto with real feedback from fans at Game 3 (00:00). Later, JD and Ben get into the upcoming Dodgers series, what's kept the Blue Jays afloat, and their level of confidence in the Jays' hitters (25:00). P.K. Subban, former NHL All-Star and current ESPN analyst, breaks down how the Leafs can make their powerplay work, mental games with Brad Marchand, why Toronto isn't getting the most from Mitch...
Published 04/26/24
JD lays out what's not clicking with the Maple Leafs. James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, gets into the Leafs' poor powerplay; potential adjustments and the contrast with the Bruins powerplay. JD and James also discuss Sheldon Keefe's home playoff record and comments about Brad Marchand, William Nylander's top-secret injury, the uncomfortable core four conversation, who TJ Brodie should draw-in for and what the bright side is (8:00). Sportsnet Analyst and Stanley Cup...
Published 04/25/24
Luke Fox, Maple Leafs and NHL Writer with Sportsnet, joins JD to discuss their confidence levels after Game 2, if the Bruins will deviate from their goaltending plan, the latest from William Nylander, if T.J. Brodie will draw back into the lineup, and the contrast between Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner (7:00). Pete Blackburn, Co-host of the What's Chaos Show, checks-in to give the Boston perspective on the Bruins-Leafs rivalry; how are Bruins fans feeling about the series thus far,...
Published 04/24/24
JD kicks things off discussing the stakes in the Leafs-Bruins playoff series. Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, analyzes how Auston Matthews looks different in this year's postseason, the coaching chess match in the series, what to do with Mitch Marner, potential changes heading into Game 3 and the William Nylander mystery (8:00). Later on, JD then gives his thoughts on Ilya Samsonov's performance through two games before wrapping up with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions...
Published 04/23/24
JD starts with his concerns from the Maple Leafs' Game 1 loss. He's joined by Mike Futa, former Stanley Cup-winning executive, to discuss Toronto's need for desperation, Max Domi's passion, Mitch Marner's chance to change his career narrative, and the recipe for the Leafs' stars to have success (8:00). JD then gives some rapid-fire thoughts about the Blue Jays (40:00). Former NHL head coach Claude Julien explains how the Leafs got away from their identity, game-planning for Game 2, how team...
Published 04/22/24
JD kicks off the show teeing up the excitement of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jason Bukala, former NHL Head Scout and Writer at Sportsnet, breaks down round-one for the Maple Leafs; the legacies on the line, how the Leafs are preparing to beat the Bruins, winning the neutral zone battles, how to get the best of William Nylander, the pressure on Sheldon Keefe to make on-the-fly adjustments, and configuring the defensive pairings (7:00). JD lays out why this is a huge series for the relationship...
Published 04/19/24
James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, breaks down how this version of the Maple Leafs stacks up against past iterations heading into the playoffs (8:00). JD and James rank who has the highest stakes in the Leafs brass, the matchup against the Boston Bruins, configuring the blue line in Game 1 and Auston Matthews' legacy. JD then touches on the loss of the Arizona Coyotes (50:00). Ben Nicholson-Smith, Blue Jays Writer and Co-Host of At The Letters, discusses John Schneider's...
Published 04/18/24
Kris Versteeg, 2x Stanley Cup Champion and Creator of the Klevr App, discusses how Sheldon Keefe and the Maple Leafs should approach game 82, William Nylander's quiet stretch run, if teams have a mental advantage against certain opponents, looking ahead to the Boston Bruins and the Leafs' psychological challenge (5:00). Sam McKee from The Real Kyper and Bourne chats about the Auston Matthews 70 goal chase coming down to the last game and how they feel about the Bruins matchup (36:00). JD gets...
Published 04/17/24