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 a.k.a. "The Black Beast" discusses his upcoming heavyweight main event at UFC 301, how his catchphra...
May 08, 2024•1 hr 37 min
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 press conference, the confidence level that Marner will waive his no-move clause and the different ...
May 07, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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 suggest and an observation about the relationship between Brad Treliving and Brendan Shanahan (28:0...
May 06, 2024•1 hr 39 min
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 7 on the road, the importance of special teams, Jim Montgomery calling out David Pastrňák, the physi...
May 03, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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, discusses the dramatic highs and lows of the Maple Leafs, building a culture, how Auston Matthews has matu...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 36 min
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 how Joseph Woll impressed, if the Leafs waited too long to bring Woll in, Woll's psychological stre...
May 01, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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 fine, advice for Joseph Woll, Jeremey Swayman's form, the feeling you have to fight down in a series, a...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 36 min
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). JD then tells his experience at the ballpark watching Shohei Ohtani dunk on Blue Jays nation (41:00)....
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 37 min
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 powerplay work, mental games with Brad Marchand, why Toronto isn't getting the most from Mitch Marne...
Apr 26, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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 Brodie should draw-in for and what the bright side is (8:00). Sportsnet Analyst and Stanley Cup Champion...
Apr 25, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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 perspective on the Bruins-Leafs rivalry; how are Bruins fans feeling about the series thus far, goaltendi...
Apr 24, 2024•1 hr 38 min
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 performance through two games before wrapping up with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions expr...
Apr 23, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD starts with his concerns from the Maple Leafs' Game 1 loss. He's joined by Mike Futa, former Stanley Cup-winning executive, to discuss Toronto's need for desperation, Max Domi's passion, Mitch Marner's chance to change his career narrative, and the recipe for the Leafs' stars to have success (8:00). JD then gives some rapid-fire thoughts about the Blue Jays (40:00). Former NHL head coach Claude Julien explains how the Leafs got away from their identity, game-planning for Game 2, how team cult...
Apr 22, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD kicks off the show teeing up the excitement of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Jason Bukala, former NHL Head Scout and Writer at Sportsnet, breaks down round-one for the Maple Leafs; the legacies on the line, how the Leafs are preparing to beat the Bruins, winning the neutral zone battles, how to get the best of William Nylander, the pressure on Sheldon Keefe to make on-the-fly adjustments, and configuring the defensive pairings (7:00). JD lays out why this is a huge series for the relationship bet...
Apr 19, 2024•1 hr 29 min
James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, breaks down how this version of the Maple Leafs stacks up against past iterations heading into the playoffs (8:00). JD and James rank who has the highest stakes in the Leafs brass, the matchup against the Boston Bruins, configuring the blue line in Game 1 and Auston Matthews' legacy. JD then touches on the loss of the Arizona Coyotes (50:00). Ben Nicholson-Smith, Blue Jays Writer and Co-Host of At The Letters , discusses John Schneider's de...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Kris Versteeg, 2x Stanley Cup Champion and Creator of the Klevr App, discusses how Sheldon Keefe and the Maple Leafs should approach game 82, William Nylander's quiet stretch run, if teams have a mental advantage against certain opponents, looking ahead to the Boston Bruins and the Leafs' psychological challenge (5:00). Sam McKee from The Real Kyper and Bourne chats about the Auston Matthews 70 goal chase coming down to the last game and how they feel about the Bruins matchup (36:00). JD gets in...
Apr 17, 2024•1 hr 34 min
JD and Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show , banter about the Blue Jays' pitching trust tree, how the bullpen is shaping up, their confidence in the lineup, why Aaron Judge isn't booed more and which number one professional athlete has the widest gap between them and the rest of the athletes in their sport (00:00). Hailey Salvian, NHL and Women's Hockey Writer with The Athletic , discusses her thought process when voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy; where does Auston Matthews' case rank?...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 37 min
William Lou of The Raptors Show wraps up the Raptors' losing season; How did they get to this point? Do they have an identity? How do they develop a culture moving forward? What's the next jump for Scottie look like? How was Darko Rajaković's first season as head coach? How do they compare to past bad Raptors teams? What's Masai Ujiri's future with MLSE? Next up, Michael Collins, Senior Golf Analyst with ESPN and former PGA caddie, discusses Scottie Scheffler's dominance, how Scheffler compares ...
Apr 15, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Jackie Redmond joins JD to get into the Maple Leafs; love for Max Domi, what 70 goals really means for Auston Matthews, the notion to rest him, the recent lack of pop in the powerplay, and what's the most nerve-racking aspect heading into the playoffs (5:00). Plus, Jackie and JD give their Hart Trophy rankings! Aljamain Sterling, Mixed Martial Artist, touches on the meaning of being in UFC 300, preparing during fight week, fighting a weight class up, and how authenticity shines through in combat...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD says the Jays have found a new primary rival (00:00). Former NHL All-Star, Cory Schneider, discusses the NHL playoff format, trying to manufacture rivalries, challenges of being a backup goaltender in the playoffs, politics of the goaltending pecking order, the lack of mental leeway for goalies, starting your career in a Canadian market and dealing with social media as a professional athlete (10:00). Hall of Famer Chris Webber talks about the process of writing his book "By God's Grace" , if ...
Apr 11, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Brent Gunning, Co-Host of The FAN Morning and Golf Show , chats about The Masters (5:00). What would a Masters win mean to Rory McIlroy's legacy? What if McIlroy joined LIV? What's the post LIV vs. PGA reality? Plus, the tail end of Tiger Woods' career, bets for the weekend, and the other big stories at The Masters. James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor at The Athletic , breaks down the Maple Leafs' recent tinkering; what have we seen with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner on different lines? How ...
Apr 10, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show , and JD banter about the Blue Jays' home-opener, utilizing Daulton Varsho, the pressure on the team's starting rotation, Zach Edey's college run and the solar eclipse (00:00). The Ringer's Joe House drops-in to discuss the biggest stories at The Masters; LIV versus PGA, Jon Rahm's responsibility, hope in Rory Mcllroy, if he could end up joining LIV, Tiger Woods feelings, which golfer the PGA wants to win and Bronny James' case at the upcoming NBA Draft...
Apr 09, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD starts things off trying to keep the vibes high for the Blue Jays home opener tonight. Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL Analyst and Host on Spittin' Chiclets , discusses what makes the Pittsburgh Penguins dangerous, tonight's matchup versus the Maple Leafs, and Sheldon Keefe's approach for spreading talent around the lineup (5:00). Former Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero explains how special home openers are in Toronto, the Ángel Hernández problem, José Berríos comfort zone, mental hurdles Alek M...
Apr 08, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Kris Versteeg, 2x Stanley Cup Champion and Creator of the Klevr App, foreshadows the Maple Leafs' playoff run with JD (10:00). Kris and JD get into Mitch Marner's importance to the powerplay, how important milestones are for teammates, what will help with post-season success, and the complicated Selke criteria. Sid Seixeiro, Breakfast Television Host, airs out his grievances; Why was Marner so mad at the media? Should the Leafs rest Auston Matthews down the stretch? How will Stefon Diggs be reme...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Jeff Marek, Host of The Jeff Marek Show and 32 Thoughts: The Podcast , chats about the place 'hating' has in sports and what individual NHL awards Auston Matthews could win this season (7:00). JD then discusses the misguided notion of resting players when they're healthy (35:00). Caleb Joseph, Blue Jays Studio Analyst, breaks down the weight from the frustration of last season, the 'big screen effect' on batters, what we've seen from José Berríos and what's next for Bowden Francis' after his fir...
Apr 03, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD starts with his disgust following the Blue Jays no-hit performance five games into the season (00:00). James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic , discusses how Auston Matthews is perceived among Leafs' fans, how much the 70 goal milestone matters, line experiments in the stretch run of the season, if the starting goaltender should be a question heading into the playoffs and Simon Benoit's contract extension (8:00). Bobby Marks, ESPN NBA Front Office Insider, breaks down the rise...
Apr 02, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Ben Ennis, Co-Host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD to go over their snap judgements from the first weekend of the Blue Jays season; Sunday's must-win, Davis Schneider's case to be an everyday player, Ernie Clement's upside over Isiah Kiner-Falefa at third base, Cavan Biggio's rising stock, mixed reactions on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Daniel Vogelbach's future, Randy Arozarena's continued Jays torment, the Rays' pitching carousel finally being diminished, Toronto's biggest x-factor, ongoing bullp...
Apr 01, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith joins JD to discuss the Blue Jays’ Opening Day win in Tampa, José Berríos’ impressive outing on the mound, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s majestic homer and encouraging swing decisions, which Blue Jays players bear the most pressure in 2024, and why he’s bullish on Toronto's offence this season. Then, JD shares his thoughts on the Maple Leafs’ 5-1 win over the Capitals, Joseph Woll’s strong performance, and the response from the “Core 4” after Sheldon Keefe’s public crit...
Mar 29, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Dan Shulman, voice of the Toronto Blue Jays, opens the show talking about Opening Day hopes, the outlook on the Jays' season, the importance of a strong start, how Daulton Varsho has prepared for a bounce-back year, the translation of energy in the clubhouse and one standout player to watch as March Madness continues (6:00). Joe Siddall, Sportsnet's Blue Jays Analyst, discusses the Jays' batting order, the pressure on Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the intricacies of hitting a fastball, which Blue Jay m...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Blake Murphy, Host of Jays Talk Plus , joins JD in-studio to dive into the numbers that project positive or negative regressions for the bats in the Blue Jays' lineup (00:00). Luke Fox, Sportsnet's Maple Leafs and NHL writer, chats about Sheldon Keefe's potent post-game comments, the Leafs' defensive pairings, how the team is using load management, Ilya Samsonov's injury, and the chances Tyler Bertuzzi wears the Blue and White next season (52:00). The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views a...
Mar 27, 2024•1 hr 38 min
