The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD is joined off the top by Frank Crupi, a.k.a. Hockey Illuminati, to react to the Toronto Maple Leafs advancing past the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (00:00). They discuss the relief of moving on, Max Pacioretty's game-winning goal, contributions from up and down the lineup, the effect of Craig Berube on this team, and Anthony Stolarz' play to secure the win, bef...

JD starts with his thoughts on the Maple Leafs' demons heading into Game 6 of the "Battle of Ontario" (8:00). Sportsnet's Dan Shulman joins the show to discuss the Blue Jays' comeback victory over the Red Sox, signs of power from Anthony Santander, the offence with Daulton Varsho back in the lineup, and bullpen usage without a fifth starter (00:00). Former NHL head coach Rick Bowness jumps on to c...

James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, joins JD at the top of the show to discuss the Leafs' Game 5 loss to the Ottawa Senators (00:00). They break down the lack of offensive output from the stars, the feeling in the room post-game, what's gone wrong since going up 3-0 in the series, the pressure to show up in Game 6, what lineup changes should be made, and the debate around physicality in...

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs' Game 3 win in Ottawa over the Senators as they take a 3-0 lead in their first round matchup (00:00). Anthony Petrielli, host and writer at Maple Leafs Hot Stove, joins the show to detail Toronto's composure in the series, their stellar play on the back-end, and the positive impact of the depth down the lineup (05:16). Then, legendary Canadian MMA fighter Georges St-Pi...

The Blue Jays getting swept by the Houston Astros was nightmare fuel for JD (00:00). Jackie Redmond from NHL on TNT and the NHL Network, joins JD to chop it up about the potential atmosphere in Ottawa for Game 3, how the Senators are executing the Maple Leafs' usual playbook, the shifting discourse around John Tavares, the secondary and tertiary effects of Anthony Stolarz, and potential adjustment...

JD and James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, break down the Maple Leafs' win over the Sens to take a 2-0 series lead in their first round series (00:00). They discuss the Leafs' ability handling of the moment with Craig Berube behind the bench, past playoff experiences benefitting Toronto, Anthony Stolarz' impressive play and penalty against Ridly Greig, where the Leafs could make a lineup...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , mull over the Blue Jays' slow offensive start and the lack of a fifth pitcher in their starting rotation (4:00). The duo then chat about the antics of Ottawa Senators and Maple Leafs fans (38:00). Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins JD in-studio to chat about Jim Rutherford's brutally honest comments regarding Quinn Hughes and Elias Pet...

JD gives his thoughts on the Maple Leafs' impressive win over the Senators in the renewed "Battle of Ontario" playoff matchup (00:00). Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, breaks down the atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto's discipline under Craig Berube amidst the animosity, Leafs' efficiency on the power play, Mitch Marner's effectiveness against the Sens, and the impact from the f...

JD is pumped for the "Battle of Ontario" to get underway (00:00). Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne , joins the show to break down the matchup (08:21). They discuss the keys to the Maple Leafs' success against the Senators, where the pressure lies amongst the Leafs' stars, what the Sens can do to make things difficult for Toronto, projecting the advantage in net with Anthony Stolarz, a...

JD opens the show with his Blue Jays thoughts following their series win over the Braves (00:00). Former Leafs forward, Steve Thomas, jumps on to discuss his playoff runs with Toronto and the intensity of the Battle of Ontario (12:42). They discuss the challenge of playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs, playing in front of Curtis Joseph at his peak, the impact of Pat Quinn, and how this current Leaf...

James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, joins JD to discuss the Leafs clinching the Atlantic Division to set up the Battle of Ontario in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (11:05). JD and James talk through the excitement of the playoff matchup, the plan for Anthony Stolarz as the starting goalie, what the line combinations should look like, the plan for the final game of the season...

JD brings on Joseph Casciaro, lead Raptors and NBA reporter at theScore, to react to the Raptors locker room clean-out day and put a bow on their season (8:00). JD and Joseph chat about Scottie Barnes' improvements on defense and in leadership, how Darko Rajaković can be judged in a tanking season, what they'd like to hear from Masai Ujiri, next season's expectations and what may have gone overloo...

JD recaps The Masters alongside Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , and Sam McKee, host and producer at Sportsnet 590 The FAN, discussing Rory McIlroy's weekend performance at Augusta, the matchup with Bryson DeChambeau, the humanity of McIlroy's reaction after finally winning his Green Jacket, and where the 2025 finish stands in the Masters hierarchy (00:00). Later, JD and Ben dive into...

JD is excited for baseball season. Kevin Barker, co-host of Blair & Barker, joins JD (6:00) to dive into the state of the Blue Jays 14 games into the season; Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting an early day off, Guerrero Jr.'s pressure and expectations following his pay day, Anthony Santander's slow start, what's working well for George Springer and the pathways to a successful season. Éric Gagné, forme...

JD is joined by James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, to break down the Toronto Maple Leafs' crucial win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night (6:50). They discuss Matthew Knies' exponential growth, Anthony Stolarz' edge over Joseph Woll as the postseason starter, Max Domi's imperfect bottom-six fit, and why the Leafs are set up better than ever for a long playoff run. Then, JD reacts to...

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs loss to their potential playoff foes, the Florida Panthers. Derek Lalonde (8:00), former NHL head coach, breaks down what the Leafs can takeaway from their loss to the Cats, what he's seen from the Leafs this season, what he'd emphasize in the Leafs' film room, and how long a coach needs to evaluate a depth line. Shane Ryan, writer from Golf Digest, joins JD to get int...

JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show (0:00), to discuss the emotional and psychological boost of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, and Anthony Santander's slow start compared to George Springer's early bounce back. Later, JD and Ben entertain theories that the Florida Panthers are tanking their playoff position, before teeing up The Masters and fami...

JD begins the show reacting to reports that the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have agreed to a 14-year, $500-million contract extension. The conversation continues with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (10:30) to detail the timing behind the second-richest deal in MLB history, why Toronto was comfortable going past their offseason valuation, the elevated expectations for Guerrero Jr.,...

JD starts the show with a look at the Blue Jays ahead of their weekend series in New York against the Mets, before diving into Jon Heyman's latest reporting on the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contract negotiations (00:00). Then, Jake Mintz, senior baseball writer for Yahoo, joins the show to discuss the hype around "torpedo bats" in the MLB, the Yankees' role in fueling the fire, and where the trend may...

JD starts the show giving the Maple Leafs props for winning a big game against the Florida Panthers (00:00). Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, breaks down the importance of Mitch Marner's clutch moment, trending positively at the right time, Bobby McMann's impact on the Leafs' second line, if this the best version of William Nylander, John Tavares aging like wine, the locker room motiv...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , dive into the positives of the Blue Jays' start to the 2025 season including Andrés Giménez' surprising offensive output, Bo Bichette's return to form, and the strength of the bullpen, before getting into how the offence will look going forward, how the fifth starter spot should be managed with Max Scherzer on the shelf, and Giménez' spot amongst...

JD and Blake Murphy, co-host of Jays Talk Plus & The Raptors Show , start the show discussing the start to the Blue Jays' season following their win over the Nationals, the pitching staff amidst Max Scherzer's injury,  and Andres Gimenez' solid first impression (00:00). Then, they dive into the NBA, starting with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP campaign, before projecting prospects that may be avail...

James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, gets into everything Maple Leafs after a successful weekend in California (6:00). JD and James get into Auston Matthews' recent play, Craig Berube's approach, the depth lines, rest versus accountability, faith in Anthony Stolarz, and what they want to see against the Florida. JD then lists some 'Stats You Should Know' from over the weekend (48:00). Blue...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, break down a disappointing Opening Day for the Toronto Blue Jays (0:00). They discuss their experience attending the game, the importance of avoiding a slow start, how Alan Roden factors into the Blue Jays' path to success, and what George Springer can contribute in year four with Toronto. Then, they debate how much Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s perform...

JD explains the thoughts and feelings surrounding the Blue Jays home opener. Dan Shulman, Blue Jays play-by-play voice, chats about Opening Day, underdiscussed storylines, who he thinks may be the Jays' fourth-best hitter, and March madness (6:00). Jon Morosi, MLB Network insider, talks about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued contract extension rumors, the fallacy of the Spring Training 'deadline'...