The JD Bunkis Podcast

Ben Ennis, host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD Bunkis in-studio to rank their confidence level for all Toronto sports general managers, discuss why they think Bobby Webster is in the toughest situation, make a pointed criticism of the future of Olympic hockey, and draft star players they'd least like to root for.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gues...

JD and Jackie Redmond, from NHL on TNT, chop it up about the difference of watching sports as a fan versus in their usual media roles, before moving on to the lacklustre Maple leafs. JD and Jackie discuss what the Leafs have left to cling to, what prompted this Leafs era to fall apart, and why Leafs fans feel so emotionally charged. JD and Producer Brandon then discuss the Buffalo Bills promotion...

JD and Blake Murphy, co-host of The Raptors Show , react to the Raptors 11th straight loss to the New York Knicks. The duo discuss the biggest concerns for the Raptors as they try to compete with the upper-echelon of the Eastern Conference. Then, JD and Blake sift through what a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade would look like for the Raptors and what other centres may fit the team.  The view...

Former Toronto Raptor, Charlie Villanueva, joins JD Bunkis to talk about his time in Toronto, post-retirement career, the importance of veterans and chemistry in an NBA locker room, 2016 All-Star Weekend, plus Scottie Barnes and the key to Raptors success. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the Raptors' precarious situation heading into the trade deadline.  The views and opinions expressed in this...

JD opens with his reaction to the Maple Leafs loss to the Buffalo Sabres and the feelings spurred by Darryl Sittler's ten-point game celebration. Justin Bourne from Real Kyper and Bourne joins JD to chat about the tough decisions and risk assessment the Leafs must now make. JD and Justin go through a list of Leafs players that they think the Leafs are better off keeping, or trying to get value bac...

Ryan Whitney, co-host of Spittin' Chiclets , joins JD Bunkis to chat about how his thoughts on the Maple Leafs have changed, healthy locker room conversations before and after big games, the nuances of how Leafs fans feel disconnected with the team, the social media affect on athletes, Auston Matthews' relationship with American hockey fans, and how Team USA stacks up against Team Canada at the Ol...

Sportsnet's Ben Ennis and JD Bunkis react to William Nylander getting fined for his middle finger, the corporate atmosphere or culture around the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays prospect pool and remaining MLB free agents, and things they get easily embarrassed by.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers S...

James Mirtle, senior writer from The Athletic, gets into the Maple Leafs' negative indicators both on and off the ice. James and JD discuss options the Leafs front office should consider if their losing streak continues into the Olympic break, Craig Berube saying it wasn't his call for Anthony Stolarz to not play a game in the AHL before starting for the Leafs, and why Elliotte Freidman's report d...

JD reacts to the horrid weekend for the Maple Leafs, before turning his attention the NFL playoffs. Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX, breaks down (10:00) the missed opportunity for the Buffalo Bills, how the weather affected the New England Patriots victory, what the Pats proved or haven't proved on their way to a Super Bowl appearance, what the most pivotal coaching decisions were in both conferen...

Sportsnet's Michael Grange joins JD Bunkis gives his insight on Bobby Webster's standing in his first season without Masai Ujiri, what questions the Raptors successful season has inspired, RJ Barrett's precarious situation and evaluation around the NBA, and the Raptors strategy heading into the trade deadline. JD then reacts to news on Anthony Stolarz, before the show ends with 'What We Missed! (3...

JD reacts to the back and forth regarding the potential boos in Mitch Marner's return to Toronto. Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, gets into different fan reactions that we've seen in the NHL, if Marner will receive a different reception further into the future, what contributed to fracturing Marner's relationship with Toronto. Later (31:00), JD and Versteeg talk about the packed NHL...

The Athletic's James Mirtle joins JD Bunkis to talk about the high-rates of overtime in the NHL, the Maple Leafs injury bug, Joseph Woll's vote of confidence, what to expect in Mitch Marner's return, and Brad Treliving kicking tires. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position o...

JD touches on the highest overtime rate in NHL's salary cap era. Former NFL quarterback, Brady Quinn, breaks down (10:00) the Buffalo Bills personnel decisions and their memorable press conference, why he thinks the Denver Broncos have a chance against the New England Patriots, Matthew Stafford's legacy and the biggest variables between the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks.  The views and opi...

Sportsnet's Luke Fox joins JD Bunkis to discuss the competitive Atlantic Division teams they believe in, their nerve level for the Maple Leafs after an underwhelming performance against the Minnesota Wild, plus injury complications with William Nylander and Matthew Knies. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do...

Es Baraheni, host of NBA Daily at The Athletic, joins JD Bunkis after the Raptors' blow out win against the Golden State Warriors. JD and Es fantasize about Steph Curry, before analyzing what timeline the Raptors should operate under, RJ Barrett's looming contract question, and Bobby Webster's first trade deadline as the general manager. JD then looks ahead to Bo Bichette's introductory press conf...

Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement joins JD Bunkis to talk about the Jays World Series run, Bo Bichette as a teammate and friend, his own rise in popularity, getting selected for Team USA to play in the World Baseball Classic, and his historic postseason production in 2025. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do...

Jim Bowden, MLB insider and former MLB general manager, joins JD Bunkis to analyze if the last few days of MLB free agency has increased the likelihood of a work stoppage, the benefits and drawbacks of a salary cap and salary floor, if and how the owners and players can come to a resolution. Plus, Jim explains how interested the Blue Jays were in re-signing Bo Bichette and what the tenor of the br...

Steve Palazzolo, host of Check the Mic , joins JD Bunkis to react to the breaking news of the Buffalo Bills firing head coach Sean McDermott. The pair analyzes the controversial interception call during the Bills' loss on Saturday, Josh Allen's volatile performance, the Denver Broncos' chances without Bo Nix, if Sam Darnold is up for the challenge against the Los Angeles Rams, CJ Stroud's disaster...

Sportsnet's Ben Ennis joins JD in-studio to banter about the Blue Jays fall-out after missing out on Kyle Tucker and losing Bo Bichette. The duo reflect on the frustration of the Jays' Tucker pursuit, how Bichette's departure shook out, Bichette's tenure in Toronto and how the Jays 2026 roster compares to last season.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gue...

JD explains why the Maple Leafs weekend tilt against the Winnipeg Jets is now infinitely more important. Next, with Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers in town to play the Raptors, JD speculates about the muted and complicated relationship between Toronto sports fans and Leonard. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and...

JD reacts to Kyle Tucker's decision to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith contextualizes the Dodgers record-breaking offer to Tucker; why it's important to find out what the Blue Jays final offer was, if Bo Bichette is still available for the Jays, and if the Jays could pivot to the trade market. Later, JD and Ben also discuss if the Dodgers overpay for Tucker could...

Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos joins JD Bunkis to share his thoughts ahead of the Maple Leafs' matchup against their former teammate, Mitch Marner. He discusses the stress-test that comes with playing Las Vegas and Marner, when would've been the best time for Marner's breakup with the Buds, and Toronto's current recipe for success. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (31:00)  The views and opinions exp...

JD reacts to the latest reports about Kyle Tucker, before turning his attention to the divorce between Mitch Marner and the Maple Leafs. JD and Jackie Redmond (12:00), from the NHL on TNT, about what they're anticipating most as the Leafs get set to play Marner, how they hope the relationship between Auston Matthews and Marner plays out on the ice, how the Leafs have historically approached big ga...

Frank Crupi, better known as "Hockey Illuminati", chops it up with JD about the biggest reasons the Maple Leafs season has turned around, what Leafs fans constantly desire, and what small gestures have helped fans embrace the team more. JD and Frank (28:00) get into how they feel and what they want to see as the Leafs face-off for the first time against Mitch Marner.  The views and opinions expres...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD Bunkis to dig into the latest reports linking Kyle Tucker to the Blue Jays. The duo weigh the contract options available to Tucker, what could ultimately sway Tucker to join Toronto, and if signing Tucker is a luxury or a necessity for the Jays. JD and Ben then compile a list of things they hate (34:00). The views and opinions expressed in this...