The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD reacts to Morroco's loss to France and what it makes him feel about Canada Soccer and teases UFC 329. JD and Sportsnet's Michael Grange then get into the news of the NBA putting the Raptors and Clippers trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold until their investigation into the Clippers cap circumvention (10:00). JD asks Grange if the Raptors could have gotten a better deal for Leonard considering the s...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , discuss Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, how starting pitching has evolved, what a signing Cease has been for the Jays, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued struggles. JD and Ben end the hour with "old news."  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Spo...

JD opens with thoughts on where the Blue Jays are at through 92 games of the season including why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s performance is the hinge point before the trade deadline and what the roster's biggest holes are. Next, JD touches (12:00) on Daniel Alfredsson joining the Maple Leafs coaching staff and why it bothers him. Jim Bowden, MLB insider, joins JD (22:00) to get into the Blue Jays' po...

JD reacts to Kyle Lowry's retirement video and his NBA career, before moving onto his thoughts on the Blue Jays' putrid weekend on the west coast. JD talks (9:00) about the Jays' biggest causes for concerns, if he sees any optimism remaining, and how the next few weeks of games will impact the front offices decision-making heading into the MLB's trade deadline in August. JD then (22:00) gets into...

JD and Sam McKee, co-Host of Leafs Talk , chop it up about the last World Cup game in Toronto, what new Maple Leafs' they are most excited about, and what Morgan Rielly returning to Toronto may look like. The duo then into the Sergei Bobrovsky and the Leafs goaltending situation, and how Gavin McKenna could be deployed. The week ends with discussion about the Boston Celtics confusing Jaylen Brown...

JD and James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, break down all of the Maple Leafs activity on the first day of NHL free-agency. JD asks James about the likelihood of Morgan Reilly returning to the Leafs, Sergei Bobrovsky's contract,  if there is a danger that Matthew Knies feels alienated, and if Zach Werenski is truly of the trade table. JD and James also give their letter grades for each Lea...

JD is joined by host of the Hoops Tonight , Jason Timpf, to dive into Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto, his health concerns, the trio of Kawhi, Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, and what this deal means for RJ Barrett’s future. They then dive into LeBron James's future and what it would look like if he and Anthony Davis joined Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. (42:00) After the br...

JD reacts to Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto. Elliotte Friedman (6:00), Sportsnet NHL insider and co-host of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast , joins JD to get into NHL free agency; the latest on Zach Werenski and Matthew Knies' future in Toronto. (21:30) JD continues his thoughts on the Leafs potentially signing Sergei Bobrovsky and what Kawhi's return means for the Raptors championship odds. (35:00) A...

JD reacts to reports that the Raptors are close to finalizing a trade to land Kawhi Leonard. Mike Futa, former Los Angeles Knights assistant general manager, joins JD in-studio to get into Bo Bichette's emotional return to Toronto, what Gavin McKenna is bringing to the Maple Leafs, the Leafs emphasis on analytics, what organizational alignment really means, and if a Zach Werenski-Matthew Knies swa...

JD reacts to Canada's historic World Cup victory to advance to the round of 16. Next (6:00), JD speaks about the Maple Leafs drafting Gavin McKenna and brings on Sportsnet's Jason Bukala to break down the NHL draft. JD asks Jason about the decentralized draft and why he feels the Leafs excelled at the 2026 draft. Devang Desai, Sportsnet soccer writer, joins JD (34:30) to get into the complicated e...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee share their reaction to the 2026 NHL Draft with the Toronto Maple Leafs drafting Gavin McKenna with their first overall pick. The guys touch on what the Penn State forward brings to the team and what's next for the franchise.   The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Me...

JD previews the NHL draft and the Maple Leafs thought process with the number one overall selection. Cam Robinson, senior director and scout at Elite Prospects, breaks down (8:00) who he would draft, what the reservations are about Gavin McKenna, why the conversation around McKenna has shifted, how to rank the best defensemen in the 2026 draft class, and the potential of post-draft player movement...

JD tips off the pod discussing the growing buzz around a Matthew Knies trade. JD then gives his thoughts on the Jays' 3-1 loss to the Astros before welcoming (10:00) James Sharman, co-host of Footy Prime . JD asks James about Canada’s loss to Switzerland, what to expect against South Africa, Stephen Eustáquio’s health, and what's going on with Alphonso Davies. JD then reacts (42:00) to Lamelo Ball...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays tough loss in extra innings. Tate Frazier, host at The Ringer, breaks down what the Raptors 19th draft pick, Allen Graves, can bring to Toronto. JD then (37:00) asks Tate about the 2026 lottery picks, who outside of the top five could become a star, and which pick was his favourite for fit. JD then goes through a busy trade day in the NHL.  The views and opinions express...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded to the Miami Heat, overreactions to the New York Knicks, the Blue Jays being back to .500, Shane Bieber's return, and the best closers in franchise history.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports &...

JD reacts to the Ottawa Senators trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. John Gruden, Toronto Marlies head coach, reflects on what led to the Marlies' rise to Calder Cup champions, the development of the Maple Leafs top prospects, how development works for coaches, what impresses him most about Artur Akhtyamov and Easton Cowan, and his impressions of new Maple Leafs head coach, Jim Hiller,...

JD is joined by Sam McKee and Ben Ennis to dive into the Maple Leafs acquisition of defensemen Darren Raddysh via sign-and-trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. JD and Sam discuss all the pros and cons of Raddysh's game, the Leafs' eight-year contract offer, and how Toronto's defensive core could look next season. JD and Ben then (30:00) shift focus to the Blue Jays sweep at Fenway Park and what lev...

JD reacts further to the Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller. Justin Bourne (08:15), co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne , joins JD to share what he expects from Hiller, the patience this hire allows Toronto to have, and his likes and dislikes from his time with Hiller. JD and Justin then touch on Gavin McKenna and why he should be the number one overall pick (46:07). After the break, JD talks about the Blue...

JD reacts to breaking news of the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller their next head coach. JD also reacts to the Leafs trading away Joseph Woll before bringing on James Mirtle (12:45), senior writer at The Athletic. JD asks James about Hiller’s coaching history and characteristics and what fans can expect from Hiller based on his former tenure on the Leafs coaching staff. JD and James shift th...

JD gives his final thoughts on Mitch Marner, before shifting focus to the Blue Jays (4:30). JD highlights the Jays’ lack of magic compared to the 2025 season, their lack of consistency, and the mounting pressure on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After the break, JD is joined by Blake Murphy, host of Blue Jays Talk Plus (19:00), to get into George Springer’s struggles, Brandon Valenzuela potentially playing...

JD recaps the Stanley Cup Final victory for the Carolina Hurricanes (4:00). He highlights Jordan Staal winning the Conn Smythe, ponders if the 'Canes team-building can be duplicated, and outlines Mitch Marner’s play in Games 5 and 6. JD then dives into the Knicks breaking their 53-year championship drought (24:00), Jalen Brunson altering the small guard narrative, the future of De'Aaron Fox, and h...

JD previews Canada’s opening matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina and ponders what the fan ratio might be in the home-opener. JD then talks about the Blue Jays series against the New York Yankees before. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg (08:30) joins the show to react to the Stanley Cup Final, the chippiness of Game 5, what Vegas can do in Game 6 to stay alive, who needs to step up fo...

JD tips off the pod with his thoughts on the New York Knicks unreal 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He breaks down how OG Anunoby might be the favorite for Finals MVP, how the Raptors' trading him has never looked worse, and how De'Aaron Fox will bear the brunt of the blame for the collapse. JD and Ben Nicholson Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays rep...

JD tips off the show with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 loss in their series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. He breaks down the hot streak Ernie Clement is on, the poor play of George Springer, and the never-ending disappointment of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. JD and Ray Ferraro, NHL analyst for Sportsnet and ESPN, discuss the incredibly exciting ride that the Stanley Cup Final has been,...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays' comeback win against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. He breaks down the incredible recent play of rookie Brandon Valenzuela, the continued struggles of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the tear Louis Varland continues to be on. JD and James Sharman, co-host of Footy Prime , discuss the lack of buzz around this year's World Cup, the mentality of Team Canada, and the likelihoo...