The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD is joined by Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith to get into the acquisition of Jesus Sanchez: why it's important and what it means for Nathan Lukes. Next, Ben discusses what he's most intrigued to cover at spring training, the expectations on Kazuma Okamoto, the biggest roster decisions that may be influenced by training camp, and how the starting rotation may shake out. The views and opinions exp...

JD weighs the pressure on Canada's men's hockey team in this tournament versus Olympics in the past that included the best players in the world. The Athletic's James Mirtle joins JD (8:00) to debate if this is the most pressure Canada has faced at Olympic hockey, David Pastrnak's "best team ever" comment, if future non-Olympic tournaments should include a smaller or bigger pool of teams, if Canada...

Oren Weisfeld, author of The Golden Generation , joins JD to get into his new book about Canada Basketball. JD asks Oren about underrated figures who propelled basketball in Canada, where the lack of transparency is regarding the rise of the sport, what the challenges are at a youth development level, and Canada's next steps in international competition. JD and Oren then discuss the best ideas the...

As the Blue Jays spring training gets underway, JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, chat about what Blue Jays stories they're intrigued about and reminiscence about the hearbreaking end to the 2025 season. The good hour duo touch on Ricky Tiedemann's oppurtunity, Kazuma Okamoto's defensive spotlight at third base, and the Jesus Sanchez trade. Later, they talk about the rumours about...

JD is joined by CBC Olympics Correspondent Ariel Helwani from Italy to discuss the biggest Canadian storylines from the Milano-Cortina Olympics. Ariel describes the emotion that followed Mikael Kingsbury winning Canada's first Gold Medal of the Games, the controversy surrounding the Canadian curling team, and the other Canadian opportunities to win medals. JD reacts to the revamped NBA All-Star Ga...

JD and Sportsnet's Sam McKee break down Team Canada's final two preliminary games over the weekend, before setting up the biggest storylines heading into the knockout round. The guys discuss Macklin Celebrini's breakout tournament at 19 years old, Tom Wilson dropping the gloves against France, the goalie conversation between Jordan Binnington and Logan Thompson, and the decision to be made about w...

Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins JD Bunkis to talk about how Canada has lost our way in hockey and why this Canadian men’s team can reestablish it. JD and Colby praise Jon Cooper's strengths, talk about the pressure on Auston Matthews, and reflect on what this Olympics means to Sidney Crosby. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are th...

JD and Sportsnet's Sam McKee banter about what makes Olympic hockey so special and the biggest winners from Canada's first men's game; how Doug Armstrong's selection of Tom Wilson impacts the team, Macklin Celebrini's impressive debut, Mitch Marner credit, Jordan Binnington's statement. JD and Sam's biggest loser: Maple Leafs fans. JD then reacts to breaking news of the Jays trading Joey Loperfido...

Hockey Hall of Famer and Canadian great, Scott Niedermayer, joins JD Bunkis to talk about Canada's past Olympic runs, the shrinking skills gap between Canada and other nations, Canada's dressing room before the most important games and periods, the USA vs Canada rivalry historically and in modern times, how officiating impacts international hockey, and being a first-time Olympian in contrast to ha...

Sportsnet's Ben Ennis joins JD Bunkis in-studio to celebrate the return of men's best-on-best hockey at the Olympics, and to discuss what the loss of Chris Bassitt and Anthony Santander means for the Blue Jays. Later (42:00), JD and Ben talk about watching morning sports at the bar.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect t...

Scottie Barnes' long-time trainer, Brian Macon, joins JD Bunkis to get into his relationship with Scottie Barnes and share what made Barnes special from a young age, what he's noticed about Barnes' approach this season, the expectations of a franchise player, what's impressed him most in Barnes' game, how Brandon Ingram has supplemented Barnes' development, and how the Raptors can continue to impr...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays announcement that Anthony Santander will miss a majority of the season with an injury. Ben Nicholson-Smith, senior Blue Jays reporter, and JD talk about the Jays lineup and paths they have to bolster it, what kind of trades the Jays should contemplate, the trickle down effects of Shane Bieber being labelled week-to-week,  and John Schneider's quotes on José Berríos. Late...

Keith Law, baseball writer at The Athletic, joins JD Bunkis to dig into his top prospects list and evaluation. JD asks Keith if the Jays farm system is stronger than it was this time last year, outlooks for Arjun Nimmala, Ricky Tiedemann, Gage Stanifer, and Johnny King, which Jays' prospects it's most important for to a good season, and which lower-ranked prospect Keith thinks can take a jump. The...

JD reacts to Marie-Philip Poulin getting injured in Canada's first game. James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, and JD talks about the Maple Leafs strategy heading into the Olympic break, and how different the Leafs blue line can look next season. JD and James pick which Leafs' players are most likely to be off the team by next season. The duo also discuss what could save or end Brad Trelivi...

Jason Bukala, Sportsnet NHL analyst and founder of The Pro Hockey Group, joins JD Bunkis to analyze Gavin McKenna's updated draft stock, Keaton Verhoeff's game and style, if late first-round picks may yield meaningful returns in the 2026 NHL draft, the practice line of Macklin Celebrini, Connor McDavid, and Tom Wilson, plus what else stuck out about the lines at Team Canada's men's hockey practice...

JD reacts to his Seattle Seahawks winning their second-ever Super Bowl. Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX and former NFL quarterback, breaks down why the Seahawks dominated the New England Patriots, Mike Macdonald's coaching masterpiece, Drake Maye's poor performance, if Sam Darnold played well, and tough decisions facing both teams.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the...

JD reacts to the news that Sportsnet's Buck Martinez is retiring from his duties as the Blue Jays game analyst, before jumping into his prop bets for Super Bowl LX in San Francisco and his takes on some of the most popular markets. Then, Sportsnet's Dan Shulman joins the show to give his thoughts on Martinez' retirement, and discuss some of his favourite moments with the Jays legend (19:10). The v...

JD opens with his thoughts on the Raptors direction following a quiet trade deadline, and their win over the Bulls in Toronto (00:00). Joseph Casciaro from theScore joins JD to chat more about the Raptors decision making ahead of the playoff run, and where the organization is headed after getting under the luxury tax, before getting into Toronto's win, the mystery of Gradey Dick, and the rest of t...

Super Bowl champion and former first-team All-Pro centre, Jeff Saturday, joins JD Bunkis to discuss Nick Emmanwori sustaining an injury in practice for the Seattle Seahawks, how Emmanwori has performed all-season despite being a rookie, if New England's offensive line can hold up, what Josh McDaniels is preaching to Drake Maye ahead of the big game, under-the-radar matchups that will make a differ...

JD reacts to another blown lead by the Raptors and their acquisition of third-year centre Trayce Jackson-Davis. Two-time Stanley Cup Champion, Kris Versteeg, talks about Artemi Panarin getting traded to the Los Angeles Kings, who should be in line for the injury replacement's on Canada's men's Olympic roster, how he thinks Canada may configure their lines, if Jordan Binnington will finish the tour...

Luke Gazdic, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins JD Bunkis to get into the Oilers' biggest flaws, what it's like building a team around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, Bobby McMann's value around the NHL, Sam Bennett replacing Anthony Cirelli on Team Canada, what player could be next up as an injury replacement, and what they think of Leafs' players that could be on the trade block. The show ends with...

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs' West Coast road trip, before moving onto the Raptors' outlook heading into Thursday's NBA trade deadline. Sportsnet's Michael Grange analyzes why the Cleveland Cavaliers traded for James Harden, if the Raptors may have discussed Jaren Jackson Jr. who was acquired by the Utah Jazz, and how Jakob Poeltl's back and contract have hindered the flexibility for the Raptors f...

Adam Rank, NFL Network analyst, joins JD to get into lingering questions surrounding Super Bowl week in California. JD asks Rank about his confidence level of Drake Maye's health, how much trust he has in Sam Darnold, the New England Patriots' defensive execution versus Mike MacDonald's gameplan, and individual matchups that may sway the Super Bowl results. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The...

ESPN NBA Front Office Insider, Bobby Marks, joins JD Bunkis ahead of the NBA's trade deadline. JD asks Bobby about James Harden's most recent trade request, the latest in the Giannis Antetokounmpo's sweepstakes, his view of how aggressive the Raptors should be, and Domantas' Sabonis fit in Toronto. JD then reacts to news of the Blue Jays adding a Joe Carter statue outside the Rogers Centre.  The v...

JD reacts to the Raptors weekend and explains why he prefers for the front office to not swing for the fences at this weeks trade deadline. Next, JD gets into the Maple Leafs brass and Auston Matthews reaffirming their commitment to each other, Morgan Rielly's time with the Leafs and his remaining contract, and what the Leafs can learn from the Vancouver Canucks. The show ends with 'What We Missed...