The JD Bunkis Podcast

Ben Ennis, co-host of the FAN Morning Show, joins JD for the first show of 2025 to talk about Canada's World Juniors loss to the United States and the ongoing rivalry (00:00). Then, the pair discuss the Blue Jays' inability to lure players and the front office's failures (28:55). After, Senior NHL Writer at The Athletic, James Mirtle is back to discuss the latest on Auston Matthews' injury, if the...

JD opens with his reaction to Auston Matthews getting hurt again (00:00). Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, thinks Matthews' may have sustained a new injury, not aggravated an old one (10:00). Kris and JD discuss the two hits Matthews took against the Buffalo Sabres, why Matthews' health is now the biggest story of the Leafs' season, Morgan Rielly's need for a perfect partner, the rift...

Jared Carrabis of Baseball is Dead and Section 10 podcasts joins JD to discuss how baseball has changed since introducing the pitch clock, the MLB marketing their big stars, missing out on Juan Soto, Toronto as a free agent destination, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s next contract negotiations, and the New York Yankees' offseason moves (0:00). Then, JD then talks about the Leafs and Sabres' rivalry (48:0...

JD kicks off the show alongside James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, to dive into the Maple Leafs' 5-3 win over the Dallas Stars (00:00). They chat about Toronto's first line, Auston Matthews' production this season, secondary scoring, Nick Robertson's value, the trade market, Matt Murray, Dennis Hildeby, how the team adapts to playing in front of backup goalies, slow starts, and different...

JD reacts to news of Anthony Stolarz missing an extended period of time (00:00). Rick Bowness, who has coached the most games in NHL history, breaks down how he managed goaltenders like Connor Hellebuyck, how goaltending play affects a team implementing a new system, the hardest thing(s) to execute with a new team, if the strategy from the Maple Leafs' opponents has materially changed, and the eve...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show joins JD at the top of the program for Good Hour! The pair talk about the disappointing NFL Monday Night double-header, RJ Barrett's ability to tank, Kelly Olynyk's contract, Immanuel Quickley,  Jake Bloss, Vlad Guerrero Jr. maximizing his earnings and the possible return in a trade (00:00). Then, President of Hockey Content at Daily Faceoff, Frank Serava...

JD starts the week listing positive and negative indicators from the Maple Leafs' weekend and season so far (00:00). JD brings on Anthony Petrielli, writer and podcast host at Maple Leafs Hot Stove, to get into the Leafs' slow starts and bursts of strong play, different line combinations and ideal defensive pairings (7:00). JD then gives offers Stats You Should Know from this past weekend in sport...

Senior Writer at the Athletic, James Mirtle, joins JD to discuss Anthony Stolarz' injury, how the team will use Joseph Woll in the upcoming stretch of back-to-backs, Dennis Hildeby, Matt Murray, the team's more important Max, Morgan Rielly's season overall, and a Tanev brother's reunion (00:00). Then, JD gives his thoughts on Brock Purdy and the scary Los Angeles Rams (45:10).  MLB Network insider...

JD teases why the Blue Jays offseason feels like a band-aid on a bullet wound (00:00). Jackie Redmond, NHL and WWE personality, joins JD to debate if Connor Bedard should have made Team Canada's 4 Nations roster, an underlying benefit of the Maple Leafs' goaltending tandem, and travelling etiquette (8:00). JD reacts to news of Scottie Barnes expected to miss "several weeks" of basketball (48:30)....

JD is joined at the top of the show by two-time Stanley Cup champion, Kris Versteeg, to dive into the Toronto Maple Leafs' 2-1 win over Sheldon Keefe and the New Jersey Devils, Anthony Stolarz' phenomenal performance, the New York Rangers' situation, and the Leafs' depth scoring (00:00). Then, former Blue Jays GM and host of 'The Brushback', JP Ricciardi speaks with JD about the Jays' trade for An...

JD and Ben Ennis from The FAN Morning Show dive into Jordan Romano moving on to the Philadelphia Phillies, where the Blue Jays are with a Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension and how Juan Soto's record-breaking contract impacts it (00:00). Plus, a look at the most hated athlete-fan dynamics in sports today. John Jastremski, host of the 'New York New York' podcast on The Ringer, joins JD to d...

 Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins JD to discuss the repercussions for the Blue Jays after Juan Soto's $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets, the pressure on the front office, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette's next deals, and if the Jays missed out on free agents (00:00). Then, JD gives his 'Stats You Should Know' from the weekend (41:41). After, FOX NFL analyst Brady Quinn breaks...

With Team Canada's official roster announced, JD and James Mirtle from The Athletic break down what has become Canada's biggest weakness in hockey: goaltending (00:00).  JD and James also list a couple points of interest heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament (10:00). James then outlines just how good the Maple Leafs goaltending has been, if Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner should be reuni...

JD explains why he misses the element of surprise in sports (00:00). ESPN NBA insider, Bobby Marks, joins JD to discuss if the Raptors are too good to tank, where the NBA's regular season problem(s) are trending, ESPN's 25 under 25 list, where Scottie Barnes ranked on the list and why RJ Barrett didn't make the cut (7:00). JD and Producer Armen discuss the list in greater detail (35:00). Craig Sim...

Blake Murphy, co-host of The Raptors Show, joins the show to talk with JD about if the Toronto Raptors' tank is dead, which teams will finish below them in the standings, the cellar teams, players returning from injury, Toronto's struggles in the clutch, players who could be traded, and Darko Rajaković's recent comments on Scottie Barnes' threes (00:00). Then, the two discuss the Juan Soto to the...

Luke Fox, NHL writer with Sportsnet, discusses the latest Mitch Marner murmurs, JD's Team Canada roster picks, Craig Berube's system, Joseph Woll's strong stretch, and the Leafs' holiday shopping list (6:00). JD then gets into some NFL stats you should know (42:00). Brady Quinn, former NFL quarterback and FOX Sports analyst, breaks down where the rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan University...

Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to parse through the MLB's free-agency chase for Juan Soto, where the Blue Jays are at with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a contract extension and why prioritizing other contracts might be a mistake (00:00). Then, two-time NBA champion, Joel Anthony, drops-in to chat about Miami Heat 'culture' and how the grind of a rebuild can affect the Raptors (34:00)....

James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, joins JD  to discuss the parity of the NHL regular season, Toronto's moral victories, lessons from the Leafs' latest stretch, Nick Robertson's stock, William Nylander's success, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner's future contract, Morgan Rielly's season so far, and the state of Canadian goalies (00:00). Then, JD gives his thoughts on the Thanksgiving slate...

 JD and Ailish Forfar, co-host of The FAN Pre Game Show , draft their report cards for each Maple Leaf and categorize each player based on their 2024-25 season so far (00:00). Next, Ailish helps set the stage for the upcoming PWHL season, before the duo rifts off an item on their A-List (28:00). Brian Boyle, former NHL forward and NHL Network analyst, breaks down why the Leafs are his current pick...

JD and Ben Ennis from The FAN Morning Show chat about Jordan Romano's time as a Toronto Blue Jay, his legacy here, and where he ranks among Canadians who have played for the team (5:00). JD and Ben also discuss the Jays' off-season rumours and who they'd like to see sign with Toronto (25:00). JD dives into the Raptors' ethical tank; the team's options in crunch time, what question marks can be ans...

Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, joins JD to discuss the Leafs' lines when Auston Matthews rejoins the team, Mitch Marner's consistency without the captain, Nicholas Robertson, Nikita Grebenkin, Fraser Minten, and Connor Bedard's position in Chicago (00:00). Then, JD delivers 'Stats You Should Know' from the weekend (44:58). After, NFL analyst for FOX, Brady Quinn, breaks down Week 12...

JD starts with his rapid fire thoughts before bringing on Jeff Saturday, former NFL quarterback, Colts Hall of Famer and ESPN NFL analyst. Jeff breaks down the New York Jets' disaster, Aaron Rodgers' ultimatum, if the NFL's lacking true contenders,  development of young quarterbacks like Anthony Richardson, and the sanctity of locker-rooms (5:00). Colby Armstrong, former NHL winger and Sportsnet N...

James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, joins JD to discuss Zach Whitecloud's hit on Matthew Knies, the discourse on what is and isn't a dirty hit, Fraser Minten, Nikita Grebyonkin, what the Leafs' stars can gain from the younger players, the team's injuries, and which centres would be the best fit in Toronto (00:00). Then, JD breaks down Joel Embiid's latest comments and the dysfunctional 7...

Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli joins JD to discuss and dissect Auston Matthews flying to Germany to see a doctor for his mysterious injury. Why are the Leafs insistent on being secretive? How do injury reports in hockey compare to other sports? What part do sportsbooks play in injury status'? (00:00) Frank also chats about Alex Ovechkin's injury and goal chase, Sidney Crosby's lowly Penguins, and...

Good Hour: Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD to talk about the Raptors' playoff chances, the Indiana Pacers, Auston Matthews' similarities to Joel Embiid, and reckless speculation (00:00). Then, the duo dive into fixing the NBA season, incentives for the NBA Cup, and philosophical takeaways from Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul (31:12). Afterwards, Canucks writer for NHL.com and goal...