Leafs Talk

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall to 1-1-0 after losing 6-3 in Detroit to the Red Wings. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss the lack of chemistry between the old guard and the new additions, Anthony Stolarz's solid start not being enough to bail out the team, the power play becoming a massive concern, Auston Matthews' shot, and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this po...

The Toronto Maple Leafs secured a 5-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on home ice to kick off the 2025-2026 season! JD Bunkis and Sam McKee start with their reaction to the Blue Jays' 5-2 win over the New York Yankees to advance to the ALCS before heading to the ice and breaking down the Leafs' game. They get into Morgan Rielly's offensive impact, early impressions of the offseason acquisitions, a...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee kick off the 2025-26 Maple Leafs' season preview show with their thoughts on the Blue Jays as they head into the Bronx with a chance to close out the Yankees in three games (00:00). Then, the guys pivot to the NHL to discuss Connor McDavid's surprising two-year contract extension, before getting into their thoughts on the Maple Leafs. They touch on the decision to keep East...

JD Bunkis is joined by newly acquired Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua, to discuss his his path to the NHL through the NCAA system, the changing landscape in junior hockey, the benefits of growing up as a multi-sport athlete, before getting into the challenges of his 2024-25 season, the excitement of coming to Toronto to join the team that drafted him, and what fans can expect from his game in To...

JD Bunkis is joined by former Maple Leaf and new Seattle Kraken goaltender, Matt Murray, to discuss his decision to head out west, the difficulties of playing goalie in today's NHL, his Stanley Cup champion Penguins' teams, the state of goaltending in Canada, as well as his experience playing in Toronto and relationship with Joseph Woll.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those...

JD Bunkis and Justin Bourne discuss the Maple Leafs' offseason so far, including Mitch Marner's departure to the Vegas Golden Knights. They take a look at what is lost with Marner moving on, the additions they've already made, and what else Brad Treliving can do to improve the team, before going through the roster and predicting some of the line combinations we may see next season. Then, they pont...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee are back on Leafs Talk for an emergency reaction to the flurry of deals around the NHL ahead of July 1st. They start with Mitch Marner and his move to Vegas in return for Nicolas Roy, how he was perceived in Toronto, his fit with the Golden Knights, and what the Leafs are getting in Roy. Then they get into the Leafs' acquisition of Matias Maccelli, Brad Marchand's extension...

JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne check in on the Panthers' Cup parade and discuss whether some aspects of the celebration are getting out of hand. Then, they get into why Brad Marchand is a perfect fit for Toronto, John Tavares' reportedly rocky contract negotiations and whether there's a chance the Leafs let him walk. Then, the three look at the 2025 UFA class, potential impact players for...

The Toronto Maple Leafs' 2024-25 season has come to an end at the hands of the Florida Panthers, losing 6-1 in Game 7 at home. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and reflect on the Core Four era of Leafs hockey. Then, they discuss what lies ahead for the team in the offseason, including decisions on Mitch Marner, Brendan Shanahan and more. The views and opinions expressed i...

The Toronto Maple Leafs live to fight another day as they shut out the Florida Panthers, winning 2-0 in Game 6. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss Auston Matthews getting the monkey off his back, Max Pacioretty becoming a postseason hero for the Leafs, the team buy-in on defence and power play struggles. Later, they look ahead to Game 7 on Sunday and ask whether...

The Toronto Maple Leafs get embarrassed at home, losing 6-1 to the Florida Panthers in a critical Game 5. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the lacklustre effort from the team, another rough game from Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the timing of Craig Berube's lineup shuffling and much more. Then, they reflect on the Core Four era and discuss whether this loss could be a final c...

The Toronto Maple Leafs go down 2-0 to the Florida Panthers in Game 4, losing their second-round lead as the series swings back to Toronto. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss another unproductive night from Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, Joseph Woll's bounce-back performance, an undisciplined start to the game, potential lineup changes heading into Game 5 and...

The Toronto Maple Leafs lose Game 3 to the Florida Panthers in overtime, falling 5-4 in Sunrise. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss all the 'what if?' moments, Joseph Woll's shaky performance, Brad Marchand scoring the winner, Morgan Rielly being on the wrong end of two bounces and the Leafs needing more from Auston Matthews offensively. The views and opinions expressed in thi...

The Toronto Maple Leafs go up 2-0 in their second-round series after defeating the Florida Panthers 4-3 at home. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss Max Pacioretty's leadership, the team's defensive buy-in and their power play adjustments. Then, they evaluate the core with William Nylander leading the charge offensively and Auston Matthews locking up defensively....

The Toronto Maple Leafs survive a late rally from the Florida Panthers in Game 1 of Round 2, winning 5-4 at home. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee, and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss Max Pacioretty's impact on the second line, an encouraging start, and the blue line adding on offensively. Then, they analyze Sam Bennett's hit on Anthony Stolarz before the Leafs' goalie had to exit the game, the...

The Toronto Maple Leafs advance through Round One, defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-2 in Game 6. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss Leafs Nation's feeling of relief, Max Pacioretty stepping up after the decision to dress him was questioned, increased confidence in the blue line, the core contributing in the closeout stage, and much more! Then, they look ahead to...

The Toronto Maple Leafs get shut out 4-0 to the Ottawa Senators in what could have been a series-clinching Game 5. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the loss and discuss the Leafs' closeout demons coming to the forefront, Auston Matthews' mistake-filled game, what to do in net for Game 6, depth scoring starting to go dry and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podca...

The Toronto Maple Leafs fall short of the sweep, losing 4-3 to the Ottawa Senators in overtime. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss John Tavares's importance, Matthew Knies' dominant play, a shaky game from Anthony Stolarz and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position...

The Toronto Maple Leafs take down the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime to take a commanding 3-0 lead. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the game and discuss Simon Benoit's overtime heroics (for a second straight night), Max Pacioretty's impact in his Leafs' playoff debut, the power play clicking on all fronts and some questionable officiating on both sides. The views and opinions ex...

The Toronto Maple Leafs topple the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime to take a 2-0 series lead in Round 1. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the win and discuss Max Domi's instantly iconic breakthrough in OT, the Leafs' defensive unity, Anthony Stolarz's battle with Ridly Greig, Matthew Knies blossoming on the power play and much more. Later, they get into what to expect in Game 3 as...

The Toronto Maple Leafs thump the Ottawa Senators 6-2 in the opening game of their first-round series. JD Bunkis, Sam McKee and Justin Bourne break down the victory and discuss the Leafs' power-play success, Ottawa showing it's inexperience and undisciplined style of play, Ridly Greig embracing the villain role, Mitch Marner magic and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are...

In their final game of the regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs rally back from a 3-1 third-period deficit to beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in overtime. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss Philippe Myers' dirty dangle, Scott Laughton's overtime winner, Craig Berube's decision to ice the stars late in the game, and more. Then, they look ahead to Sunday and discuss what to ex...

The Toronto Maple Leafs shut out the Buffalo Sabres 4-0 as they clinch the top spot in the Atlantic Division. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the game and discuss Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner's milestones, look ahead to the Leafs' first-round matchup against the Ottawa Senators and look back on how the team got to this point. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the...

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1 in Raleigh, picking up their third straight win. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee break down the victory including Joseph Woll's solid start, Morgan Rielly's three-point night, Mitch Marner on the doorstep of 100 points with two regular season games remaining, why Rory McIlroy's win at the Masters is a good omen for Toronto come the postseason and...

The Toronto Maple Leafs outlast the Montreal Canadiens 1-0 in a high event yet low scoring affair at Scotiabank Arena. JD Bunkis and Sam McKee share their thoughts on the game and break down Mitch Marner's overtime winner, Toronto's defensive effort while being a short a blueliner due to cap constraints, Max Domi and Kaiden Guhle going to battle at centre ice, an involved home crowd and much more....