The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD discusses the rollercoaster Game 3 between the Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars, if most of Canada is behind Connor McDavid and the Oilers and Jason Robertson's coming out party (00:00). Later, Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins and JD get into Draymond Green's spot on Inside the NBA and guarding Luka Dončić (25:00). The gents end with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions expresse...

JD opens the show with some rapid-fire takes about some of the biggest games from the weekend. New Jersey Devils goaltender, Jake Allen, chats about trying his hand in media, how Connor McDavid is revered by other players, playing for Craig Berube and his tendencies behind the bench (8:00). The show wraps up with another edition of 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions expressed in this podcast...

JD discusses the Blue Jays, tension at the Vancouver Canucks end-of-season media conference, how the Edmonton Oilers stack up against the Dallas Stars, Leonel Messi not travelling to Vancouver and technology's role in professional sports.  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 a...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , and JD banter about the return of the Blue Jays' home run jacket, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. setting the culture, where George Springer's contract ranks among other athletes, Springer's options for the rest of the season, plus underrated legacy stakes in the NHL and NBA conference finals (00:00).  The views and opinions expressed in this podc...

James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, joins JD to discuss Craig Berube's introductory press conference; how it was overshadowed by the roster construction, what the overall message was and who else could join Berube on the coaching staff (00:00). Plus, Sheldon Keefe's fit with the New Jersey Devils and Steven Stamkos rumors. Henrik Lundqvist, NHL Hall of Famer and analyst with TN...

Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, joins JD to discuss the Maple Leafs hiring Craig Berube, what kind of change he can instill, his coaching nature, his big challenges, how coaches like Berube can relate to younger players, the Edmonton Oilers moving onto the Western Conference Finals, plus Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes (4:00). Later on, the gents get into the pair of NBA Game 7's o...

JD chats about breaking news Scottie Scheffler was detained Friday morning (00:00). Luke Gazdic, former NHL forward and Sportsnet NHL analyst, breaks down the frustrating Oilers, the goaltending conundrums and underrated Rangers players (10:00). JD touches on the legacy stakes for Jamal Murray as the Timberwolves and Nuggets head into Game 7. Tim Leiweke, former MLSE CEO and current CEO of the Oak...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD to chat about the growing sample size of the Blue Jays, if an upcoming winning streak is actually good for the team, reasons to re-tool or re-build, what a win-win move might look like and the biggest 'what if' in recent Toronto sports memory (00:00). Zach Harper, NBA writer with The Bounce and The Athletic, discusses Nikola Jokic's ascension,...

Jeff Blair of Sportsnet's Blair & Barker , explores Canada Soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup and George Springer's predicament with the Blue Jays (00:00). Later, JD praises Nikola Jokic's Game 5 masterpiece and wonders where's the love from the rest of the NBA (35:00). DJ Bean, co-host of the Whats Chaos Show , checks-in to discuss the madness in the Bruins-Panthers and Canucks-Oiler series; how...

After a heroic playoff performance, JD emphasizes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's case as Canada's best athlete (00:00). Shi Davidi, Sportsnet's senior MLB columnist, breaks down the big-picture importance of the Blue Jays next two series, the Orioles' interest in Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson's lows, how the Jays are feeling about Alek Manoah and Yariel Rodriguez, why George Springer is still the lead-of...

Blake Murphy, Raptors analyst and host of Jays Talk Plus , just JD to discuss the aftermath of the NBA Draft Lottery. Was it a good or bad thing that the Raptors lost their 2024 first-round pick? What are the Raptors prioritizing this off-season? What to expect from the 2024 NBA draft? (00:00).  Plus, JD and Blake chat about the Blue Jays' weekend, the biggest signs of optimism and pessimism, if a...

Sportsnet's Jeff Marek joins JD Bunkis to discuss how Sheldon Keefe handled his final media conference and moments with the Maple Leafs, the challenge of striking the right tone, Keith Pelley's unique approach and understanding where the Leafs fan base is at (00:00). Sportsnet's Luke Fox notes the power shift at MLSE, the Leafs' crucial off-season questions and how it was covering Keefe during his...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD in-studio to get into how the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes them feel about the Leafs' exit, current rankings of the Blue Jays' lineup, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his cringe post-game interview shower (00:00). Jim Bowden, MLB insider and analyst, talks about where the Blue Jays are, why it's time to make tough decis...

Whit Merrifield, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, talks about how his free-agency landed him in Philly, why his time in Toronto concluded, the vibe around the 2023 Blue Jays, how it's like as a player when the team isn't getting results and his love for city (2:00). Later, JD chats about the NHL Draft Lottery and matchups in the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (27:00). Derrick Lewis...

JD details the Maple Leafs' exit interviews; Mitch Marner's "looked upon as Gods" comment, John Tavares thinking the Leafs are "right there", William Nylander's admiration for the core, credit to Sheldon Keefe and criticism about his remarks on the powerplay process (00:00). James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, and JD discuss the what news could come of Friday's Leafs management...

JD lays out what went wrong, what we learned and what should be next for the Toronto Maple Leafs following another first-round playoff loss (00:00). Mike Futa, former NHL executive and analyst with Sportsnet, discusses Matthew Tkachuk's poke at the Leafs, how a front office goes about trading a player with a no movement clause, what Sheldon Keefe speaking to the media on locker clean-out day could...

JD lays out the stakes and implications of Game 7 between the Leafs and Bruins. James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, discusses the anxiety in Boston, the Leafs playing 'playoff hockey', Brad Treliving's additions, credit to Sheldon Keefe and which Maple Leaf has the most to gain or lose (8:00). Teemu Selanne, Hockey Hall of Famer, talks about the anxiety in Boston, playing Game...

Jackie Redmond from the NHL on TNT and NHL Network joins JD in-studio to get into the feelings heading into Game 6 in Toronto; being a Leafs fan, embracing change, what coming back from 3-1 could mean for the rest of the Leafs playoffs and the off-season, how the 'others' on the team might feel, and negativity in the media (00:00). Mike Rupp, former NHL forward and analyst with NHL Network, discus...

Luke Fox, NHL writer with Sportsnet, discusses the vibes before, during, and after Game 5, Brad Marchand's defensiveness about blowing a 3-1 lead, what the Bruins are starting to question, and the latest health update on Auston Matthews (7:00). JD lays out points of optimism for Leafs fans, but wonders why their effort is so inconsistent. Former NHL goaltender, Carter Hutton, joins JD to breakdown...

Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show , and JD discuss Jamal Murray's clutch gene, the exhaustion of the Maple Leafs and their fans, William Nylander being mic'd up in Game 4, plus a big picture Blue Jays questions regarding their stars and manager (00:00). Felix Potvin, former Maple Leafs goaltender, chats about the tactic Sheldon Keefe took by telling the media that the Leafs effort was fin...

JD relays the temperature of Maple Leafs fans after a porous Game 4 showing. Kris Versteeg, 2x Stanley Cup champion and Creator of the Klevr App, gets into what the Leafs are lacking. How do the Leafs still not have an identity? Plus, organizational and locker-room accountability, betting on talent, taking pride in your role, coaching shortcomings, quantifying effort and the loser psyche (8:00). J...

Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD Bunkis to chat about the Leafs crowd in Toronto with real feedback from fans at Game 3 (00:00). Later, JD and Ben get into the upcoming Dodgers series, what's kept the Blue Jays afloat, and their level of confidence in the Jays' hitters (25:00). P.K. Subban, former NHL All-Star and current ESPN analyst, breaks down how the Leafs can make their...

JD lays out what's not clicking with the Maple Leafs. James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, gets into the Leafs' poor powerplay; potential adjustments and the contrast with the Bruins powerplay. JD and James also discuss Sheldon Keefe's home playoff record and comments about Brad Marchand, William Nylander's top-secret injury, the uncomfortable core four conversation, who TJ Brod...

Luke Fox, Maple Leafs and NHL Writer with Sportsnet , joins JD to discuss their confidence levels after Game 2, if the Bruins will deviate from their goaltending plan, the latest from William Nylander, if T.J. Brodie will draw back into the lineup, and the contrast between Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner (7:00). Pete Blackburn, Co-host of the What's Chaos Show , checks-in to give the Boston persp...

JD kicks things off discussing the stakes in the Leafs-Bruins playoff series. Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, analyzes how Auston Matthews looks different in this year's postseason, the coaching chess match in the series, what to do with Mitch Marner, potential changes heading into Game 3 and the William Nylander mystery (8:00). Later on, JD then gives his thoughts on Ilya Samsonov's...