Leafs Talk

The Toronto Maple Leafs close the book on the 2025-26 season with a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee look back on the year and discuss the Leafs' unwillingness to commit to a tank, bright spots they can build on next season, the direction of the team with their ongoing GM search and the disconnect between the organisation and its fans. The views and opinions expressed in th...

The Toronto Maple Leafs give up three unanswered goals in the third period to lose 6-5 to the Dallas Stars in their final home game of the season. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the team's unorthodox path to a bottom-five finish, whether this was Morgan Rielly's final home game as a Leaf, Joe Bowen's last call in Toronto, and much more. The views and opinions expressed in...

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall 5-3 to the New York Islanders on Long Island. Sam McKee and Brent Gunning break down the game and discuss Artur Akhtyamov's busy debut in net, Craig Berube's decision to leave Ryan Tverberg and William Villeneuve out of the lineup and Luke Haymes' impactful first game after being called up. Then, they discuss Peter DeBoer's first game behind the Islanders' bench, and w...

The Toronto Maple Leafs get shut out on home ice, losing 4-0 to the Washington Capitals. Sam McKee and Ailish Forfar break down the game and discuss whether this was the worst effort from the team all season, Anthony Stolarz's early injury and the future of the Leafs' netminding. Then, they reflect on Alexander Ovechkin's career and legacy after what could be his final game at Scotiabank Arena. Th...

The Toronto Maple Leafs pushed late, but fell 7-6 to the Los Angeles Kings in overtime. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the Leafs' recent form hurting their draft stock, Matthew Knies building confidence for next season, Easton Cowan's physical impact, Max Domi's fight, and John Tavares hitting the 30-goal mark for the eighth time in his career. Later, they share their thou...

After firing their general manager, Brad Treliving, the Toronto Maple Leafs erased a two-goal deficit in the third period, taking down the Anaheim Ducks 5-4 in overtime. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss Max Domi's fight with Radko Gudas, Michael Pezzetta's ejection, and Easton Cowan's physical edge. Then, they get to the big news of the day and discuss the timing of Trelivin...

The Toronto Maple Leafs win their second straight, taking down the New York Rangers 4-3 at home. JD Bunkis and Frank 'Hockey Illuminati' Crupi break down the game and discuss the Leafs' fading chase for a bottom-five finish, the vibes in the arena and the pathways to being competitive next season. Then, they get into Joseph Woll's effort, whether the Leafs should trade a goalie in the offseason, J...

The Toronto Maple Leafs take down the Bruins 4-2 in Boston. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and special guest host Jonny Gallant, bass player for Billy Talent, break down the game and discuss how the win impacts the Leafs' tank, Matthew Knies showing off his power, Easton Cowan jumping in against Nikita Zadorov after a dirty hit on John Tavares, Anthony Stolarz's strong play after his injury scare, and much...

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators in the penultimate Battle of Ontario of the 2025-26 season. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the state of the rivalry, Easton Cowan and John Tavares building chemistry, the decision to leave Michael Pezzetta out of the lineup, Oliver Ekman-Larsson's effort level, and William Nylander stinging Anthony Stolarz in warm-ups...

The Toronto Maple Leafs grab another point as they fall 4-3 to the Carolina Hurricanes at home. Sam McKee and Justin Cuthbert break down the game and discuss William Nylander's late equaliser hurting the tank, Craig Berube's coaching decisions, Bo Groulx's 2026-27 season outlook and John Tavares ending his even-strength scoring slump. Later, they discuss Joseph Woll's increased workload and whethe...

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall 3-1 to the New York Islanders at home. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss William Nylander's disengaged game, Craig Berube's ice times, Morgan Rielly extending the team's fight streak to five games, and Cal Ritchie stealing the spotlight from Matthew Schaefer as the two Toronto-born players had their first NHL games in their hometown. The views and...

The Toronto Maple Leafs take down the Wild, winning 4-2 in Minnesota on the second night of a back-to-back. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the rise in effort levels since Auston Matthews' injury, Bo Groulx's two-goal night and future with the team, the goalie tandem of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz hurting the tank, and Jake McCabe continuing to sacrifice the body despit...

The Toronto Maple Leafs push the Sabres to a shootout, but fall 3-2 in Buffalo. Sam McKee and guest host Brent Gunning break down the game and discuss a more visible physical edge from the Leafs after Radko Gudas' dirty hit on Auston Matthews went unanswered. Then, they share their concerns for the tank, discuss the impacts of recent call-ups Bo Groulx and Michael Pezzetta, and weigh in on Joseph...

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Anaheim Ducks 6-4 to snap their eight-game losing streak. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the win and discuss Radko Gudas' greasy knee-on-knee hit that injured Auston Matthews, the lack of immediate response, and the delayed response that followed in one of the Leafs' stronger third periods all season. Then, they get into Easton Cowan's fight, Bo Groulx's firs...

The Toronto Maple Leafs' slide continues in Montreal, as they fall 3-1 to the Canadiens. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the Leafs' standing in their pursuit of a bottom-five finish, the team playing with pride after a rough opening period, and William Nylander leading by example. Then, they chat about Bo Groulx's impactful Leafs debut, Jake McCabe standing up for Easton Co...

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose their seventh straight as they fall 5-2 to the Tampa Bay Lightning. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game before looking back on the Leafs' deadline moves. They discuss the returns on Scott Laughton, Nic Roy and Bobby McMann trades, Brad Treliving's future in Toronto, why Craig Berube should stay behind the bench for the rest of the regular season, and much more....

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose their sixth straight as they fall 6-2 to the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss whether these types of results are good because of the tank or bad because of potential lasting impacts on team culture. Then, they discuss Auston Matthews' scoring slump and Easton Cowan getting a larger opportunity up the lin...

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose a fifth straight game as they fall 4-3 to the New Jersey Devils in a shootout. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss a new, tanking feel for the team as they sit Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton and Oliver Ekman-Larsson for roster management purposes. Then, they discuss Auston Matthews' recent scoring slump, Anthony Stolarz standing on his head, and what...

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose a fourth straight game out of the Olympic break, falling 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers in a shootout. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and take a scouting perspective of players the Leafs may be showcasing ahead of the trade deadline. They discuss the play of Nic Roy, Scott Laughton, Brandon Carlo, and Bobby McMann, then chat about the Flyers' skill in the...

The Toronto Maple Leafs drop their sixth straight on home ice, losing 5-2 to the Ottawa Senators. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the lifeless stretch after the Leafs opened the scoring, Craig Berube's time running out, the team needing more from Matthew Knies, and Auston Matthews' reception for his gold medal. Later, they ask whether the Leafs are closer to a rebuild than...

The Toronto Maple Leafs get swept in their back-to-back in the Sunshine State, as they fall 5-1 to the Florida Panthers. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee start with a broader view of the team, how this loss reinforces the case for selling at the deadline, and their levels of trust in Brad Treliving to get it done. Then, they break down the game and discuss the brutal first period, another slow one for Aust...

The Toronto Maple Leafs return from the NHL's Olympic break with a 4-2 loss to the Lightning in Tampa Bay. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss why the Leafs must be sellers at the trade deadline and how the Lightning have outpaced Toronto in player development. Then, they dive deeper into the game and discuss Auston Matthews' play after being rushed back from D.C., Matthew Knie...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee talk about the positive and negative spins from Canada's heartbreaking loss to the United States. JD and Sam split their blame pie, discuss how they think Connor McDavid's perception if shifting, and debate if Auston Matthews, the winner, is a potential conern for Maple Leafs fans.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do no...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee chat following Canada's victory over Czechia, thanks to Mitch Marner's overtime goal.   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 & Media or any affiliates.

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down Team Canada's final two preliminary games over the weekend, and the biggest storylines heading into the knockout round. The guys discuss Macklin Celebrini's breakout tournament at 19 years old, Tom Wilson dropping the gloves against France, the goalie conversation between Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson, and the decision to be made about who should come out...