The FAN Pregame

Kaitlyn McGrath  phones in to give her thoughts on Jordan Romano’s bizarre ankle injury, Jose Berríos being named the Jays’ Opening Day starter, how the rest of the rotation lines up, Hyun-Jin Ryu’s spring thus far and the pressure on him to rebound after an inconsistent 2021 season, and Charlie Montoyo hinting that yesterday’s lineup might resemble the batting order for next Friday’s season opene...

Ailish discusses her experience attending last night’s Leafs-Jets game and the vibe at Scotiabank Arena as Auston Matthews notched his 50th goal of the season. Then, the team discusses Matthews’ case for the Hart Trophy, the Leafs displaying impressive poise to rally from a 2-0 deficit on Thursday, William Nylander’s improved play over the past two games, Ilya Mikheyev’s emergence on the second li...

James Sharman phones in to chat about Canada not fielding their A-side during last night's qualifying finale against Panama, Ismael one seeing his first action, and how John Herdman might approach the next few months in preparation for the World Cup (1:05). To wrap, Haas F1 Team Principal Guenther Steiner stops by to chat about the popularity of Netflix's Drive to Survive series, what it's like fi...

Nick Kypreos joins JD, Blake and Ailish to chat about Taylor Hall's $5,000 fine for his hit on Ilya Lyubushkin, Mark Giordano's future beyond this season, his influence on the blue line, Colin Blackwell's positive impact on the fourth line, and Ilya Mikehyev finding his comfort zone alongside John Tavares (0:40). Afterwards, Cabbie stops by to discuss Ailish chirping JD as a bettor she doesn't tru...

Jason Bukala joins the show to discuss his scouting report on newly-signed Leafs forward Nick Abruzzese, his assessment of highly-touted prospect Matthew Knies, and how Knies’ skill set might translate to the NHL (0:56). Next, David Thorpe weighs in on Scottie Barnes’ Rookie of the Year candidacy, the correlation between jazz and basketball, Barnes’ progression throughout his rookie year, and Nick...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Canada’s 1-nil loss to Panama in the final match of their World Cup qualifying campaign. Then, the team weighs in on the Raptors’ blowout win over the Timberwolves, Nick Nurse’s decision to bench Scottie Barnes at the start of the second half, and Taylor Hall being issued a $5,000 fine for his incident with Ilya Lyubushkin (5:30). Later, Ailish presents her daily editi...

Justin Bourne joins the show to discuss the Leafs’ dominant performance against the Bruins, the team’s balanced offensive output throughout the lineup, Mark Giordano’s steady presence on the back end, the lack of chemistry between John Tavares and William Nylander, and the Leafs displaying maturity against Boston (1:09). Afterwards, Tim Bontemps stops by to chat about his straw poll for NBA MVP, P...

Luke Fox stops by to chat about Petr Mrázek’s history of groin injuries, Mark Giordano helping Timothy Liljegren elevate his game, Jake Muzzin’s injury status and his future beyond this season, and Wayne Simmonds being removed from the lineup (0:29). Later, the team chats about Justin Bieber getting booed at a concert in Montreal after chirping Canadiens fans (28:36). Then, JD, Blake and Ailish te...

Ben Nicholson-Smith checks in from Dunedin to discuss position battles in camp, the team’s pitching depth, and the organization’s plans for renovating Rogers Centre (0:47). Later, JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Tim Bontemps’ latest straw poll for NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic’s case to win back-to-back MVP awards, Joel Embiid’s candidacy, and Cade Cunningham potentially closing the gap on Scottie Barnes and...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ 6-4 win over the Bruins on Tuesday, Ilya Lyubushkin and Petr Mrazek sustaining injuries, the Leafs showing signs of maturity and composure, Toronto having the best line in a potential playoff series against Boston, and Mark Giordano’s calming presence on the blue line (1:45). Later, the team dives into their daily edition of the A-List (38:20)! The vie...

Nick Foligno joins the show to reflect on his time in Toronto, and chat about tonight’s matchup against the Leafs, his pursuit of a Stanley Cup with the Bruins, and Brad Marchand’s special skill set (0:36). Later, the crew heads back to the text line to field more comments and questions from listeners (23:55). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and d...

Steve Dangles joins JD, Blake and Ailish for a special edition of the Leafs concern index, where the crew evaluates some of the team’s most pressing issues, including William Nylander’s demotion down the lineup, Jake Muzzin’s injury status, and Petr Mrázek’s inconsistency (0:14). Later the team assembles their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:52). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are...

Atiba Hutchinson joins the show to chat about Canada qualifying for the World Cup, experiencing the transformation of the men’s national program over the course of his career, the electric atmosphere at BMO Field on Sunday, and the special camaraderie shared by this team (2:21). Later, it’s time for Text Line Tuesday! The team heads to the text line to field questions and comments from listeners (...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ OT win over a shorthanded Celtics team, Thaddeus Young making a big impact off the bench, Pascal Siakam’s impressive 40-point night, his case for a spot on the All-NBA team, and the Raptors’ surge in the standings (0:32). Afterwards, it's Ailish's A-List  (41:05). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not...

Jennifer Botterill phones in to chat about the Leafs signing Nick Abruzzese out of Harvard, lack of production from the fourth line, Sheldon Keefe’s criticism of William Nylander, and Mark Giordano’s seamless transition to Toronto's blue line (0:25). Next, former Team Canada captain Dwayne De Rosario joins the show to discuss his emotions during yesterday’s 4-nil win over Jamaica, what qualifying...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Leafs getting "goalied" by Jake Allen on Saturday, William Nylander being demoted to the third line, Ilya Mikheyev's resurgence this season, and Mark Giordano brining added toughness to the blue line (1:37). Later, Dan Riccio stops by to chat about the transformation of the Canadian men's soccer program, the team's exciting style of play, how Canada might fare at t...

Ailish details her experience sitting courtside for the Raptors-Pacers game on Saturday and being forced to evacuate due to the speaker fire at Scotiabank Arena (1:40). JD Also recounts his experience witnessing history at BMO Field on Sunday, and the team shared their thoughts on Canada punching their ticket to the 2022 FIFA World Cup (12:00). Later, Ailish delivers her daily edition of the A-Lis...

Dan Shulman stops by to discuss Raimel Tapia's fit with the Blue Jays, expectations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this season, the team having a collective chip on their shoulder after last year's disappointing end to the season, and Chet Holmgren's ceiling as a prospect (1:03). Later, Kris Abbott stops by to help JD and Ailish assemble the show's daily Wake and Rake parlay (30:42). The views and opin...

Alvin Williams joins JD and Ailish to discuss Pascal Siakam elevating his game this season, how the Raptors have benefitted from play position-less basketball, and Scottie Barnes' chances of usurping Evan Mobley for Rookie of the Year (0:24). Later, Iain Hume checks in to discuss Canada's 1-nil loss to Costa Rica, Mark-Anthony Kaye picking up two costly yellow cards, and how Italy's World Cup omis...

JD and Ailish discuss the Raptors' pivotal win over the Cavaliers on Thursday, OG Anunoby's return to the lineup, Pascal Siakam's impressive 35-point performance, the Raptors' commitment to position-less basketball, and the head-to-head Rookie of the Year battle between Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley (0:52). Later, the two weigh in on the Blue Jays' acquisition of Raimel Tapia from the Rockies for...

Bobby Marks joins the show to chat about the three-way battle for NBA Rookie of the Year, the long-term ceilings of Scottie Barnes and Evan Mobley, and concerns about the Brooklyn Nets heading into the playoffs (0:23). Later, the team reviews their bets from Wednesday, tee up the odds for tonight's Raptors-Cavaliers game and Canada-Costa Rica match, and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (3...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Scottie Barnes' case for Rookie of the Year, tonight's head-to-head matchup against Evan Mobley, and the Raptors' quest to avoid the play-in tournament (0:23). Afterwards, Jamal Mayers stops by to chat about the Leafs' jersey collaboration with Justin Bieber, Mark Giordano providing Toronto with a calming presence on the blue line, Colin Blackwell adding some grit to t...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Mark Giordano's debut with the Leafs, impressions of Toronto's Justin Bieber inspired Next Gen uniforms, the Raptors' branding relationship with Drake, Ilya Mikheyev's strong season, and the Miami Dolphins acquiring Tyreek Hill from the Kansas  City Chiefs for a package of draft picks (0:53). Later, it's Ailish's A-List and the team tees up tonight's Canada-Costa Rica...

Kris Versteeg chats about his experience playing with Mark Giordano in Calgary, the intangibles Giordano brings to the Leafs' locker room, his fit alongside Timothy Liljegren, and Auston Matthews' pursuit of the Hart Trophy (0:20). Later, the morning show team discusses the Blue Jays agreeing to terms on new deals with their arbitration-eligible players, the team's payroll for 2022, and other move...

Nick Kypreos joins the show to discuss Colin Blackwell being an underrated addition for the Leafs, the organization's confidence in Jack Campbell, and Kyle Dubas' perception by other executives around the NHL (0:46). Afterwards, the crew assembles their daily Wake and Rake parlay (30:34). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily refl...