JD Bunkis starts off sharing how much he loves seeing the Blue Jays and Yankees rivalry heat up! Before diving into it, JD offers some quick thoughts on the NBA draft lottery and Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Final. Later on, he enlists the help of Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith to discuss everything that's transpired so far between Toronto and New York, what to expect in the last two games and how concerning Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s injury is, before dissecting the Jays' lineup and bullp...
May 17, 2023•51 min
Tis the season. With the Leafs’ season done, JD Bunkis is getting back down to the Rogers Centre to watch the Jays. He went last night and it did seem like the Yankees were cheating but what is even more concerning is Alek Manoah. He gives a few thoughts on why he’s worried about the Jays supposed number one pitcher. JD, then, turns his attention back to the Leafs: After hearing players, coach & GM speak yesterday, he gives some of his takeaways from what he heard. Most notably on the status...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 22 min
With the Maple Leafs set to address the media Monday, JD Bunkis gives his thoughts on their season ending over the weekend and what he expects to hear from them today. Where can and will the organization go from here this offseason, and what realistic moves can be made? JD welcomes his Leafs Talk co-host Justin Bourne to weigh on what he thinks we’ll hear from the group today and what happens next in Leaf-land. On this extended episode of the show, JD sticks around while we hear from Mark Giorda...
May 15, 2023•2 hr 20 min
JD Bunkis recaps his Blink-182 concert experience and what nostalgia feels like up close and personal. Do they still slap all these years later? JD is then joined by Jeff Marek of 32 Thoughts to preview the stakes for Maple Leafs heading into Game 5, if elimination could spell the end of the core four, and if we could see a change behind the bench this summer (06:23). Later on, former Leafs goaltender Felix Potvin goes over what it's like to be a rookie in the playoffs in Toronto, what advice he...
May 12, 2023•50 min
JD Bunkis is back and so are the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to him! Fresh off the Game 4 victory over Florida Panthers, JD goes over why this could be the start of something for the Leafs and why the Panthers seem a lot more vulnerable all of a sudden. Two-time Stanley Cup champion and inventor of the Klever App, Kris Versteeg joins the conversation to discuss his takeaways, if Radko Gudas should be suspended for his hit, and if Game 4 could be a turning point for Toronto (11:23). We then ce...
May 11, 2023•50 min
JD Bunkis kicks off today’s episode discussing Mitch Marner’s comments to the media yesterday, how much the team should listen to outside noise and how fans should react. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Mike Futa joins JD to talk about how his Kings were able to come back from 3-0 in 2014, if the Leafs can summon the same moxy, and the key factors behind Toronto's poor series so far (11:23). JD closes with his thoughts on Alek Manoah’s recent performance, before offering his best bet, presented by...
May 10, 2023•50 min
As we wait for Game 4 for the Maple Leafs on Wednesday, JD Bunkis starts the show focusing on the battle between the Lakers and Warriors and why he has expected more from the LeBron-Steph showdown. Turning his attention back to hockey, he welcomes longtime NHL defenceman and now Panthers analyst, Ed Jovanovski to get his thoughts on the series and if he’s surprised Toronto hasn’t shown more. The 2002 Olympic gold medalist tells some stories from his playoffs experience and gives some insight on ...
May 09, 2023•1 hr 32 min
There’s a reason “Marner and Matthews” is still trending on Twitter this morning. JD Bunkis reacts to last night’s Leafs loss to fall behind 0-3 in the series, and hear from Auston Matthews post-game who doesn’t seem too perturbed by it all. He looks at the “Shana-plan”, Kyle Dubas’ “core four” and if this will be their last ride. To figure out what can be done to try to save this series (and jobs), he brings on the Senior Managing Editor at The Athletic, James Mirtle! They look at this team, th...
May 08, 2023•1 hr 27 min
JD Bunkis recaps a disappointing Game 2 for the Maple Leafs with two-time Stanley Cup Champion and inventor of the Klever app, Kris Versteeg! They go over what went so wrong after Toronto's great start, how the Leafs can put together a full 60 minutes, what it means to be "goalied", and how to bounce back in Florida. The guys then get into Sam Bennett's hit, how to extract a more consistent performance from William Nylander, and what the absence of Mathew Knies could mean going forward. The guys...
May 05, 2023•50 min
JD Bunkis kicks off today’s show sharing his thoughts on a dispiriting Blue Jays loss to the Red Sox and what is concerning him most heading into today's game (00:01). Sportsnet's Luke Fox hops aboard to set up everything ahead of Game 2 between the Maple Leafs and Panthers! He discusses Toronto's lackluster Game 1 performance, what changes we can expect to see from Sheldon Keefe tonight, and if there is cause for concern surrounding Ilya Samsonov's health (07:34). JD wraps things up offering hi...
May 04, 2023•50 min
The Leafs lose Game 1 of Round 2 to the Florida Panthers and JD Bunkis is disappointed to say the least. He examines what led to the loss, before bringing former NHLer and current analyst for Sportsnet Anthony Stewart into the conversation. They dive into who showed up and who needs to step up as the series goes on, before shifting attention West to chat about the fun-to-watch Kraken despite their loss to the Stars (12:34). Later on, JD comments on the Game 1 that lived up to the hype in the NBA...
May 03, 2023•49 min
To start today’s show, JD Bunkis has to address Jacob Trouba's huge hit on Timo Meier in Game 7 between the Rangers and Devils, before turning his attention back to Leafs fans! His shares his pep talk ahead of Game 1, telling fans to keep their confidence up against the Florida Panthers because there is good reason the Leafs are now the odds-on favourite to win the Stanley Cup (00:01). To help break down this series, JD brings on Anthony Petrielli of Yahoo! Sports Canada & Maple Leafs Hotsto...
May 02, 2023•1 hr 37 min
What a weekend for Leafs fans! JD Bunkis is in a great mood this Monday morning after a wild weekend of NHL action and the cards falling into place for the Maple Leafs - moving on to second round while avoiding the Bruins! (00:01) JD welcomes on The Athletic’s James Mirtle to break down how the Leafs managed to break their 19 year curse over the weekend, the key players who stepped up, and Toronto's case to come out of the Eastern Conference. On a bit of a hot streak, JD closes the first hour wi...
May 01, 2023•1 hr 35 min
HERE WE GO AGAIN! What happened last night, Leafs fans?! Who’s to blame? JD Bunkis isn’t sure. Two-time Stanley Cup champ and inventor of the KLEVR app Kris Versteeg, who was in attendance at Scotiabank Arena last night, demands some air time from the host to give get some things off his chest, specifically telling Leafs fans they need to STAND UP to support the team right now (hint: he does think Toronto wins in Game 6). Then, another Stanley Cup champion, Brian Boyle, jumps aboard to give his ...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 17 min
JD Bunkis kicks off the show discussing another masterful outing by Yusei Kikuchi in his redemption season (00:01). Later on, he turns his attention to Leafs-Lightning Game 5 with the possibility of Toronto closing the series out at home and tries to talk through how and when Michael Bunting should be re-inserted into the lineup. He then welcomes on a man who will be on the Sportsnet call tonight and has won multiple Stanley Cups, Craig Simpson (11:21). Having done it all in the league, Simmer g...
Apr 27, 2023•1 hr 15 min
JD Bunkis starts today’s show talking about the Blue Jays' crushing shutout victory over the White Sox on Tuesday night, highlighted by another strong José Berríos start (00:01). The Athletic's James Mirtle brings attention back to Maple Leafs to chat about both the fears and positives of holding a 3-1 series lead and the biggest question marks surrounding the goaltending in this series. They also dive into the factors behind Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner hitting their stride and what the bes...
Apr 26, 2023•50 min
While still recovering from the emotion of last night’s big Leafs comeback win, JD Bunkis looks back on the big third period that changed the narrative and what a 4-1 lead means in the city of Toronto. Auston Matthews can take over a game. Sheldon Keefe can make the right lineup changes. The Leafs stars can show up when they need to. And the hero is…. Alexander Kerfoot! Or is it Brandon Hagel?! JD welcomes two-time Stanley Cup champion and inventor of the KLVER app, Kris Versteeg, to discuss all...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 28 min
JD Bunkis opens the pod sharing his confidence level in the Maple Leafs coming off a Game 3 win (that they stole), before getting into what he liked from Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe, and what concerns him heading into Game 4 (00:01). JD then brings on 14-year NHL executive, two-time Stanley Cup champion and Sportsnet analyst Mike Futa to discuss how exceptional Luke Schenn has been in his role, positive impact Matthew Knies has had so far, and if Auston Matthews still has more left in the tank....
Apr 24, 2023•1 hr 34 min
Happy Friday! Back on the up swing of the rollercoaster ride that is being a Maple Leafs supporter, JD Bunkis is joined by Colby Armstrong of Chiclets Game Notes to talk about Toronto’s dominating Game 2 win to send the series back to Tampa tied. They discuss where the confidence of the Leafs and their fanbase is at right now, why you can’t count out the resiliency of a back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup finalist, and their expectations for the rest of the series. Then, breaking news drops as Toro...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 20 min
JD Bunkis kicks off today’s episode going over the Maple Leafs' lines ahead of a pivotal Game 2 against the Lightning. James Mirtle of The Athletic joins the conversation to the recap Toronto's tumultuous Game 1 and what areas the team needs to improve upon (00:02). They also discuss the legacies on the line within the organization, if Ilya Samsonov’s future depends on this game, and if Micheal Bunting has played his last game in the blue and white. JD closes out the show with some thoughts abou...
Apr 20, 2023•50 min
JD Bunkis recaps a disappointing series-opening effort from the Maple Leafs last night and questions what went wrong during Game 1. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg offer his thoughts on Toronto's loss and focuses in on the team's reliance on cycling the puck, and what, if anything, Jon Cooper is doing better then Sheldon Keefe (07:43). The pair then discuss how a goalie having an off night can affect the rest of the team, why the Leafs need to change their zone entries, what to make ...
Apr 19, 2023•49 min
JD Bunkis is amped for the start of the Maple Leafs' playoff run! He shares why this year has a different feel compared to last year's series against the Lightning, and looks at the stakes surrounding the core four heading into another postseason (00:01). Next up, Justin Bourne of Real Kyper and Bourne joins JD to preview the series and discuss the level of confidence in Leafland, the biggest matchups to keep an eye on, and more! (16:45) JD closes out the day with his best bets, presented by Bet...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 40 min
JD Bunkis kicks off a new week with Ben Ennis, host of The FAN Drive Time , for another edition of 'Good Hour'! They recap the Blue Jays' series against the Rays and question just how big it was in the race for the American League East, before sharing their biggest takeaways from the weekend and Toronto's young season so far (00:02). JD and Ben then preview the Maple Leafs' upcoming playoff series against the Lightning, their emotional and realistic expectations for what's to come, and if Kyle D...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 42 min
JD Bunkis is joined by James Mirtle, Managing Editor at The Athletic, to share his takeaways from the Maple Leafs' regular season, his points of interest heading into the playoffs, how big has the addition of Jake McCabe been to Toronto's blue line, what happened to Nick Robertson this year, and his confidence level heading into another first round matchup against the Lightning (00:01). JD then comments on the Raptors' end of season media availability yesterday, and looks ahead to what the futur...
Apr 14, 2023•1 hr 16 min
JD Bunkis is joined by Blake Murphy, co-host of The FAN Drive Time, who offers his review of the new and improved Rogers Centre from the “dome opener”, which of the new changes resonates the most with him, and how having the roof open changes a fan's viewing experience. (00:01) Later on, JD and Blake get into the Raptors' loss last night against the Bulls, bringing their season to a close. The pair look back on what's happened to the championship core that won in 2019, before discussing how much...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 19 min
JD Bunkis is joined by the host of The FAN Drive Time, Ben Ennis, for this week's edition of 'Good Hour'! They discuss Ben’s time at the ballpark and what he likes from the new and improved Rogers Centre, how confident they are in the new bullpen, and the level of concern surrounding Alek Manoah. The guys then go over whether or not Kevin Kiermaier has the chance to go from zero to hero in the city, before sorting through the biggest stories of redemption in Toronto sports history (12:34). Ben a...
Apr 12, 2023•50 min
JD Bunkis kicks off today’s pod by reminiscing about his past experiences at Blue Jays home openers and shares why it's so difficult for him to miss this year's festivities (00:01). Two-time Stanley Cup champion and the host of The Walls Within podcast, Curtis McElhinney looks back on his time playing for both Tampa Bay and Toronto and shares where the organizations vary, what it was like to backup Andrei Vasilevskiy, and how he feels about Ilya Samsonov long term (08:34). Later on, JD shares hi...
Apr 11, 2023•1 hr 31 min
JD Bunkis recaps a wild weekend for the Blue Jays and shares his level of concern surrounding José Berríos after another troubling start (00:01). Alex Wong of The Raptors Show offers his take on the etiquette of spoilers, before looking back on a tumultuous season for the Toronto Raptors. The pair get into their expectations ahead of the team's Play-In test against the Bulls, their biggest takeaways from the season as a whole, and what positives the group can take into next year and beyond (12:2...
Apr 10, 2023•2 hr 4 min
JD Bunkis shares his thoughts on the start of The Masters and Rory McIlroy's slow start at Augusta National, begging the question if Rory will ever complete his career grand slam? Managing editor at The Athletic James Mirtle joins JD then to review the Maple Leafs' overtime loss to the Bruins last night, what the Buds can take away from the game, Sheldon Keefe's continued line shuffling, and how he feels about Toronto's goaltending heading into the playoffs (11:23). JD closes out the week with h...
Apr 07, 2023•1 hr 21 min
JD Bunkis is joined by Ben Ennis, the host of The FAN Drive Time , for another edition of the ‘Good Hour’! The duo opens the show discussing how they use sports as a reference for time, before diving into the brand-new Rogers Centre renovations (00:01). The guys follow that up by discussing Daulton Varsho’s positive start, Brandon Belt’s struggles, and revisiting the Teoscar Hernandez trade (20:00). JD and Ben wrap up the show debating the impact of LIV Golf players at The Masters, and offer tod...
Apr 06, 2023•50 min
