JD dives into the updated version of the Maple Leafs' blueline; is it the best of this era (00:00)? Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith checks-in from the Bronx to discuss what it's like being around the New York Yankees and the pressure on José Ramírez (20:00). Later, JD and Armen chat about the Raptors' competitive preseason win over the Celtics (51:00). Mike Futa, co-host of The FAN Hockey Show , joins JD in-studio to get into the Leafs' blue line improvements, Timothy Liljegren drawing-in, how p...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD at the top of the show to break down the MLB playoffs and their level of interest in the New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Guardians series (00:00). Later on, the two chat about Teoscar Hernández, Gabriel Moreno, and the Toronto Blue Jays' woes (33:22). In the back half, FOX NFL Analyst Brady Quinn joins the program to speak on the league's officials, Aaron Rodgers, Mike Williams, the Baltimore Ravens, the Dallas Cowboys' relevancy, and Davante ...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD opens with a couple thoughts on Sheldon Keefe and Dennis Hildeby following the Leafs' 4-2 win against the Devils (00:00). Dave Dameshek of the Minus 3 podcast checks in to get into Pittsburgh sports; specifically Sidney Crosby's last great years and the Steelers' sticky quarterback situation (7:00). P.K. Subban, ESPN analyst and former Norris Trophy winner, analyzes how Craig Berube has implemented his style in Toronto, the Leafs' defensive core, and scrutiny of Mitch Marner (53:00). The Athl...
Oct 11, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD begins the show with his initial reactions from the Maple Leafs season opener (00:00). Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion and creator of the CLEVR app, discusses what it's like playing with injury-ridden teammates, how Craig Berube managed the lines, what changes the Leafs might benefit from, Timothy Liljegren, and how the Leafs matchup against Sheldon Keefe and the New Jersey Devils (05:45). Cory Schneider, former NHL goaltender and analyst for NHL Network, breaks down the difficul...
Oct 10, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD begins with his points of emphasis as the Toronto Maple Leafs start their season tonight (00:00). Daily Faceoff Insider, Frank Seravalli, discusses the inception of the Utah Hockey Club, contract talks for Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Nick Robertson's standing, Igor Shesterkin's offer rejection, and Alexander Ovechkin's chase for history (9:00). JD then touches on the juice between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres in the MLB playoffs (44:32). Sportsnet's Leafs reporter, Luke Fox...
Oct 09, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD and Ben Ennis from The FAN Morning Show debate if George Springer's contract is the worst in Blue Jays history and a touch on a couple other lingering Blue Jays thoughts (00:00). JD and Ben then dive into the biggest storylines in the MLB playoff, rivalry recipes, and Shohei Ohtani (28:15). Jason Bukala, former Director of Amateur Scouting with the Florida Panthers, analyzes what he saw from Easton Cowan's pre-season with the Maple Leafs and priorities as Cowan returns to the OHL's London Kni...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Sam McKee joins JD to start the week previewing the Maple Leafs' season. The duo talk preseason, William Nylander, the positivity and negativity around the team, goaltending, the club's new defensive look, and expectations for Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev (00:00). Later, the two discuss the bottom six, the most underrated storylines for the season including Mitch Marner at the Four Nations Face-Off, and what Matthew Knies' season will look like. Then, JD and Sam dive into their annual "Whipping...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD reacts to Nick Robertson's scoring outburst in the preseason. What does Robertson's fit and leeway look like on the Maple Leafs' regular season roster? (00:00) Jackie Redmond from WWE Network and NHL on TNT joins the show to discuss Faceoff: Inside the NHL and the dwindling 'no personality' joke of the NHL (10:30). Jackie and JD then get into some of the biggest questions marks of the Maple Leafs' season (24:00). Later, JD touches on the MLB playoffs before bringing on Sportsnet's David Amber...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 38 min
JD begins the program digesting the Blue Jays front office season-wrap media availability, before being joined by co-host of the Heed the Call podcast, Dan Hanzus, to talk Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams to the Jets, the evolution of kickers, coaches being less conservative, the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans matchup, the Dallas Cowboys, and the New York Yankees (00:00). Then, Senior Managing Editor at The Athletic, James Mirtle, joins the show to chat the Maple Leafs' cap space, contracts, goalt...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 36 min
JD and Ben Ennis from The FAN Morning Show get into the squandered opportunity by the Blue Jays front office; the moves and mindset in the Vladdy-Bo era that landed them in last place in the AL East (00:00). JD and Ben also discuss what they want to hear at the Jays end-of-year press conference and the luster of October baseball. MLB Insider Jim Bowden joins the show to evaluate what the goal of an executive is at a season-ending presser, why it's hard for Mark Shapiro to move on without Ross At...
Oct 02, 2024•1 hr 37 min
JD kicks off the show with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' season ending. Then, FOX Sports NFL analyst Brady Quinn joins the show to recap the Detroit Lions win over the Seattle Seahawks, before discussing two-high safeties, young quarterback play, Jayden Daniels, Michael Penix Jr., the frightful Philadelphia Eagles, the New York Jets, and if the Washington Commanders are the best team in the NFC East (00:00). After, JD speaks on Raptors media day, the team's rebuild, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Po...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 38 min
Ben Ennis and JD Bunkis fill in for Ailish and Justin and begin the show discussing how the Blue Jays' 2024 season will be remembered, projections for who will crack the lineup in 2025 and Vladdy Jr.'s strong upturn in hitting. Then, the guys dive into the Toronto Raptors' official announcement of retiring Vince Carter's jersey and the fanbase's mixed reactions to the decision. Finally, the NFL teams under the most pressure heading into Week 4. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast ar...
Sep 27, 2024•50 min
JD starts the podcast digesting the latest comments from William Nylander. Then, Charles McDonald, NFL analyst for Yahoo Sports and author of the Four Verts column, joins the show to talk about the New York Jets' dominant win over the New England Patriots, Drake Maye's garbage time minutes, Bryce Young, the Pittsburgh Steelers, the New Orleans Saints' offence, two-high safeties, and the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens (00:00). After, JD gives his expectations for the Leafs' lines (46:14). The views and opi...
Sep 20, 2024•49 min
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , joins JD at the top of the program to chat about Adrian Wojnarowski's retirement from journalism, the changing landscape of sports journalism on Twitter/X, and the new Vince Carter Raptors jersey (00:00). After, JD and Ben talk the MLB playoff picture, Bo Bichette's future, the 2025 Blue Jays, Chris Bassitt's frustrations, Mark Shapiro, and Ross Atkins (28:52). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do n...
Sep 19, 2024•49 min
JD starts the show with his thoughts on Rogers acquiring 37.5% of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment. Then, Sportsnet NHL analyst and co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, Justin Bourne, joins the show to chat about Sidney Crosby's latest deal, superstar contracts, Mitch Marner, what he wants to hear at Leafs media day, Nicholas Robertson, and Max Pacioretty (00:00). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Ro...
Sep 18, 2024•33 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on Sidney Crosby's new deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Then, JD sits down with former Toronto Raptor, current Sacramento Kings' guard, and author of "Above the Noise," DeMar DeRozan, to talk mental health, therapy, his new book, and his career (00:00). After, JD speaks on the Carolina Panthers benching Bryce Young and Kirk Cousins beating the Philadelphia Eagles in prime time (39:57). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts a...
Sep 17, 2024•49 min
JD kicks off the show with his thoughts on the underdog upsets from Week 2 in the NFL. FOX Sports NFL Analyst Brady Quinn joins the conversation to chat about the New Orleans Saints, the Dallas Cowboys' defence, Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, the 0-2 Baltimore Ravens, Trevor Lawrence's Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Kansas City Chiefs. Afterwards, JD wraps the program with his thoughts on UFC 306 (46:44). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not ...
Sep 16, 2024•49 min
JD kicks off the show with his thoughts on the Bills' Super Bowl window, before Sportsnet's NHL insider Elliotte Friedman joins the program to talk about the Leafs' roster including Nicholas Robertson, Max Pacioretty, Easton Cowan, Fraser Minten, Jani Hakanpää, and Mitch Marner (00:00). After, JD gives his picks for Week 2 of the NFL (26:20). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any ...
Sep 13, 2024•49 min
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD at the top of the program to recap the big stories during the podcast's time off including Bowden Francis, possible depth for the 2025 Jays, Mark Shapiro, and an Alex Anthopoulos homecoming (00:00). Then, the duo talks about Nicholas Robertson, the warning signs of signing Max Pacioretty, taking pressure off of Easton Cowan, left wing depth, and Jani Hakanpää (22:19). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and ...
Sep 12, 2024•49 min
The voice of the Toronto Blue Jays and Canada Basketball, Dan Shulman, joins JD at the top of the program to talk about Joey Votto's retirement, Spencer Horwitz, Joey Loperfido, Dan's career calling Canada Basketball, FIBA basketball, the international team's red flags, and the future of the team (00:00). After, JD discusses fantasy football and hated athletes (34:31). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position o...
Aug 22, 2024•49 min
Brady Quinn, former NFL quarterback and current NFL and college analyst for FOX, joins JD at the top of the show to talk pre-season, Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins, locker room dynamics, the pressure on Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels' shot at Rookie of the Year, Bo Nix and the pressure on Sean Payton, Anthony Richardson and the frisky Colts, Drake Maye comparisons, which team will take the next step this season, the Cleveland Browns' roster in the AFC North, and if the NFC North is the best ...
Aug 21, 2024•49 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on Chris Bassitt's latest comments on the Blue Jays. Then, host of Blue Jays Talk and Blair and Barker, Jeff Blair joins the show to talk about Bassitt's references to the front office, Shohei Ohtani, Bo Bichette, the public reception, not getting closure from the decisions in the Minnesota game, the trust deficit, why they are running it back, and keeping miles off the tires (00:00). After, JD speaks on the Edmonton Oilers, cap space, and the St. Louis Blues ...
Aug 20, 2024•49 min
The FAN Morning Show's co-host Ben Ennis joins JD at the top of the program to talk Joey Votto, competitive integrity, Davis Schneider's reality, a Bo Bichette breakup, enthusiasm for competing in 2025, Addison Barger, the Jays' young bench pieces, and buying stock (00:00). After, the duo chat about UFC 305 and Robert Griffin III (32:21). 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 ...
Aug 19, 2024•49 min
Nick Shook, writer for NFL.com, joins JD to discuss the risks of preseason football, J.J. McCarthy, tortured fanbases, preseason storylines, Michael Penix Jr.'s opportunity, the Steelers' quarterback expectations, innovation versus conservatism with the new kickoff format, the Haason Reddick drama, Brandon Aiyuk, and the confidence level of the Cleveland Browns (00:00). After, JD talks the state of the Patriots and Chase Claypool (37:56). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are thos...
Aug 16, 2024•49 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on the cursed Minnesota Vikings and John Tavares' sacrifice, before breaking down the comments post-press conference from Morgan Rielly, Brendan Shanahan, and Craig Berube. JD also talks about the difference in captaincy, if Tavares could be extending, rallying behind Auston Matthews, and Berube shielding the team from narratives (00:00). Then, JD speaks on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s incredible form and if the Jays missed an opportunity (29:15). The views and opi...
Aug 15, 2024•49 min
Senior Managing Editor at the Athletic, James Mirtle, joins JD at the top of the show to discuss Auston Matthews taking the captaincy from John Tavares, the future of both players on the team, Tavares' legacy as captain, team-friendly deals, the weight of the "C," the biggest impact of the change, Matthews' passion, media obligations, and the Oilers' offer sheets (00:00). After, JD talks about Will Wagner and the Blue Jays being more enjoyable (42:13). The views and opinions expressed in this po...
Aug 14, 2024•49 min
The FAN Morning Show's Ben Ennis joins JD at the top of the show to discuss being invested in the Blue Jays tanking, concerns about competing in 2025, playing for the lottery ball or culture, shutting down the pitchers, moving to a six-man rotation, hit streaks, and Vlad Jr. (00:00). After, the duo digests the Olympic Games, Canada's 4x100-metre relay team, Steph and Lebron together, and spin-zoning Canada Soccer's drone scandal (29:49). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those...
Aug 12, 2024•46 min
JD begins the show with his thoughts on USA Basketball's fourth quarter comeback against Serbia in the Olympics. Arden Zwelling, Blue Jays Reporter and co-host of At The Letters , breaks down the intricacies in the decision to move on or bring back Ross Atkins, the tone of Mark Shapiro's presser, the looming off-season decisions, if there's been a narrative shift about competing in 2025, the starting rotation in 2025, Kevin Gausman's season and how much confidence is playing a part in Vladimir G...
Aug 09, 2024•50 min
JD opens the show with his pet peeves (00:00), before breaking down Mark Shapiro's latest press conference, excuses, front office errors with the bullpen, signing free-agent pitching, continuing to "learn," never winning a playoff game, not answering questions, continuity, success, failures, and the point of it all (08:12). 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 affiliates....
Aug 08, 2024•50 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on Canada Basketball's devastating loss to France before being joined by the Senior Content Producer at theScore, Joseph Casciaro. The pair chat about what went wrong, the lack of weaponizing the team's depth, the stars, Jordi Fernández, Jamal Murray's performance, and the lasting implications on the program (00:00). After, JD weighs in on the infamous Rudy Gobert (44:38). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and d...
Aug 07, 2024•49 min
