Episodes
On Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent are joined by Devan Dubnyk, former NHL goaltender and current NHL Network analyst, to discuss Ilya Samsonov’s performance in Game 3 against Boston, the Leafs’ defensive lapse on Brad Marchand’s eventual game-winning goal in the third period, the Leafs’ power play struggles, and if Jim Montgomery will be tempted to stick with Jeremy Swayman for Game 4. Later, Luke Gazdic, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, stops by to chat about...
Published 04/25/24
Published 04/25/24
Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne, stopping by to discuss the Maple Leafs’ current power play struggles, the team’s lack of shooting threats outside of Auston Matthews, if Max Domi merits a look on PP1, Morgan Rielly’s limited offensive presence thus far in Round 1, and Brad Marchand’s beneficial whistle in the Bruins’ Game 3 win. Then, Ben and Brent weigh in on the atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena last night and if the crowd bears any...
Published 04/25/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss the Maple Leafs’ Game 3 loss to the Bruins, Ilya Samsonov’s performance, Brad Marchand’s strategic gamesmanship, the questionable officiating in last night’s game, the controversial Marchand-Bertuzzi melee at centre ice, the Leafs’ continued special teams woes, and Mitch Marner’s lingering offensive struggles. Later, the guys chime in on the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss in KC on Wednesday (39:38), Addison Barger’s promotion to the Big Leagues, the Blue Jays’ curious...
Published 04/25/24
On Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent discuss today’s Toronto Sun front cover targeting Mitch Marner’s lacklustre start to the playoffs, the prevailing discourse surrounding Marner’s post-season resume, how Sheldon Keefe might attempt to jumpstart Marner’s offence, and the appropriate lineup fit for William Nylander if and/or when he’s prepared to rejoin the lineup. Afterwards, the guys are joined by Rear Admiral, co-host of the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast and famed Bruins fan, to...
Published 04/24/24
Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Renaud Lavoie, NHL Insider for TVA Sports, stopping by to discuss the Maple Leafs’ performance in Games 1 and 2 against Boston, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi injecting added emotion into the Leafs’ lineup, Brad Marchand’s effusive praise for the Leafs, Toronto’s handling of William Nylander’s murky injury status, and the NHL’s lack of regulatory measures when it comes to teams disclosing player injuries. Later, Ben and Brent are joined by Scott...
Published 04/24/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss the Blue Jays’ deflating 3-2 loss to the Royals on Tuesday, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s costly error at first base, if the current discourse surrounding Guerrero Jr. is unfair, Kevin Gausman’s diminished command early in the season, and Daniel Vogelbach’s utility on this team. Later, the guys dive into the Maple Leafs’ Game 3 matchup against the Boston Bruins (31:49). They weigh in on Brad Marchand’s comments on Tuesday about the Leafs “playing for keeps,”...
Published 04/24/24
Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala stopping by to discuss the Maple Leafs’ Game 2 win over the Bruins, Boston’s decision to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman, the lack of 5-on-5 production from the Leafs’ second line, Mitch Marner’s quiet start to the playoffs, and the Leafs’ refusal to divulge any specifics about William Nylander’s injury status. Later, Ben and Brent are joined by Carter Hutton, former NHL goalie and current analyst for...
Published 04/23/24
On Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent discuss Auston Matthews’ clutch offensive showing in Game 2 against Boston, Max and Tie Domi becoming the first father-son tandem to score for the Maple Leafs in the playoffs, John Tavares’ resilient Game 2 performance, Mitch Marner’s quiet start to the post-season, and William Nylander’s mysterious absence from the Leafs’ lineup. Afterwards, Sam McKee, producer of Real Kyper & Bourne and co-host of Leafs Talk, stops by (24:30) to discuss...
Published 04/23/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss the Maple Leafs’ 3-2 win over the Bruins in Game 2 on Monday night, Auston Matthews’ clutch offensive performance, the chemistry he’s displayed with Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi, Ilya Samsonov’s gutsy showing between the pipes, the Bruins’ decision to start Linus Ullmark over Jeremy Swayman in Game 2, the Leafs’ improved work on the penalty kill, and the effectiveness of Toronto’s fourth line. Later, the guys weigh in on the Blue Jays’ 5-3 win over the...
Published 04/23/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning are joined by Damien Cox, Toronto Star contributor and Toronto Maple Leafs historian, to share his thoughts on Game 1 between the Bruins and Maple Leafs, his level of concern, why this team struggles to score in the postseason, and where in the world is William Nylander. Later on, Hockey Hall of Famer, Stanley Cup champion and current Columbus Blue Jackets Assistant Coach, Mark Recchi stops by (25:10)! He weighs in on the Bruins' culture that has helped lead to...
Published 04/22/24
In hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning are joined by former Toronto Maple Leafs GM and host of Sirius XM Morning Skate Gord Stellick. They go over what the absence of William Nylander meant for the team, what is wrong with the special teams and whether is this something they can fix on the fly. The guys then get into the questions surrounding Ilya Samsonov and Gord’s level of confidence in Toronto’s net. Ben and Brent then look around the rest of the NHL Canadian teams,...
Published 04/22/24
Ben Ennis & Brent Gunning are back from the weekend, and reviewing a disappointing game 1 of Leafs-Bruins. The boys start out looking at the positives from the game and what they can take from it, how concerned are you with the play of Samsonov? What can the Leafs do to help change the special teams disadvantages we saw in game 1? And do we see a change in personal tonight? The guys then go over the Blue Jays weekend and why they can’t complete a sweep (39:03). Which part left the guys...
Published 04/22/24
On Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent are joined by Joshua Kloke, Maple Leafs reporter for The Athletic, to discuss his biggest point of curiosity heading into Saturday’s Game 1 between the Leafs and Bruins, Mitch Marner’s optimal deployment in Toronto's lineup, William Nylander’s recent offensive dry spell, the chances Calle Järnkrok suits up for Game 1, and Ilya Samsonov’s leash entering the post-season. Later, the guys connect with Jake Gardiner, former Leafs defenceman, to chat...
Published 04/19/24
Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Ben and Brent discussing their biggest reasons for optimism and pessimism as the Maple Leafs head into their first-round series against the Bruins. Then, the guys discuss Mitch Marner’s role in the Maple Leafs’ lineup and if he should begin post-season alongside Auston Matthews. Later, Jimmy Murphy, Editor-in-Chief of Boston Hockey Now, stops by to chat about the Bruins’ shaky finish to the regular season, the level of pressure on Boston after...
Published 04/19/24
Happy Friday! On the eve of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Ben and Brent dive into the Maple Leafs’ first-round matchup against the Bruins. They discuss the Bruins’ unique goaltending deployment, their current confidence level in Ilya Samsonov, why starting on the road might benefit the Maple Leafs, Sheldon Keefe’s impending lineup decisions for Game 1, and which players could be the biggest X-factors for each team. Afterwards, Ben and Brent discuss their expectations for Yariel Rodriguez as he...
Published 04/19/24
On Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent are joined by Craig Simpson, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, to discuss the Maple Leafs’ 6-4 loss to the Lightning on Wednesday, Nikita Kucherov joining the 100-assist club, his overall assessment of the Leafs’ 2023-24 regular season campaign, how the Leafs might deploy their forward lines in Round 1 against Boston, and the coaching battle between Sheldon Keefe and Jim Montgomery. Later, Sportsnet’s Michael Grange stops by to...
Published 04/18/24
Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne, stopping by to discuss the Maple Leafs’ four-game losing streak heading into the playoffs, why the stakes have never been higher for Sheldon Keefe and Brendan Shanahan, how Keith Pelley’s arrival at MLSE could affect the Maple Leafs’ future, Toronto’s potential forward machinations for Game 1 against Boston, and if T.J. Brodie might be the odd man out on the Leafs’ playoff blue line. Then, Ben and...
Published 04/18/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss Auston Matthews finishing the regular season with 69 goals, the Maple Leafs heading into the playoffs on a four-game losing skid, Matthews’ Hart Trophy chances after falling short of the 70-goal mark, and the biggest positives from the Leafs’ 2023-24 regular season campaign. Later, the guys chime in on the Blue Jays squandering a two-run lead to the Yankees on Wednesday, John Schneider’s curious bullpen deployment, and Daulton Varsho’s recent offensive...
Published 04/18/24
On Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent are joined by Luke Gazdic, former NHL forward and Sportsnet analyst, to discuss the NHL Hart Trophy race, why he’s bullish on the Leafs’ chances against Boston, how frequently players are scoreboard-watching throughout the course of a game, and the Oilers’ form heading into the playoffs. Afterwards, Mike Francesa, host of "The Mike Francesa Podcast", stops by to chat about the current landscape of New York sports, Jalen Brunson’s ascent to...
Published 04/17/24
Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show begins with Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discussing the Maple Leafs’ first-round matchup against the Boston Bruins and if this Leafs team will be impacted by previous playoff failures against the Bruins. Then, the guys weigh in on last night’s chaotic conclusion to the NHL’s Eastern Conference playoff race and the Golden State Warriors’ deflating loss to the Sacramento Kings in the NBA Play-In Tournament. Later, Damien Cox (24:14), our resident Leafs historian...
Published 04/17/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open the show by discussing the Maple Leafs’ 5-2 loss to the Panthers, Auston Matthews remaining stuck on 69 goals, the chances he suits up for Wednesday’s regular-season finale against Tampa, and the Leafs drawing Boston in the opening round of the postseason. Afterwards, the guys weigh in on the Blue Jays’ 5-4 victory over the Yankees on Tuesday, Yusei Kikuchi’s impressive start to the season, the importance of today’s start for Kevin Gausman, Jordan Romano...
Published 04/17/24
Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show kicks off with Jeff Blair, co-host of Blair & Barker, checking in to discuss the Blue Jays’ offensive woes, the continued lack of offence at Rogers Centre, if the team would entertain a trade for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette, the impact one more bat in the lineup would make, Toronto's inability to lock up Vlad or Bo to long-term deals, and next steps for Alek Manoah in his quest to rejoin the rotation. Later, Ben and Brent are joined by Bruce...
Published 04/16/24
On Hour 2 of The FAN Morning Show, Ben and Brent discuss the Maple Leafs’ current injury situation heading into their penultimate game of the regular season, Sheldon Keefe’s goaltending deployment leading into the playoffs, and how the Panthers might approach tonight’s game with first place in the Atlantic Division still hanging in the balance. Then, the guys weigh in on Cavan Biggio’s hot start to the season and debate which Blue Jay player has seen his reputation undergo the biggest...
Published 04/16/24
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning discuss the Blue Jays’ series-opening win over the New York Yankees, Chris Bassitt’s impressive outing on the mound, the Jays’ persistent offensive flaws, the team’s baserunning blunders on Monday night, Rogers Centre’s evolving reputation as a pitcher-friendly ballpark, Danny Jansen’s activation from the IL, and Bassitt’s comments about what he attributes to the influx of pitcher injuries in MLB. Later, the guys are joined by legendary golf broadcaster Verne...
Published 04/16/24