JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show (0:00) to discuss the latest reports from contract negotiations between pending free agent Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays. They debate the relative value of Vladdy compared to Juan Soto, how the optics around the team would improve with the slugger under contract ahead of Opening Day, whether to trust Guerrero Jr.'s durability over the long term, and how New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole being out for the year after Tommy...
Mar 13, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD begins the show discussing reports on the gap in contract talks between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays. The conversation continues with Ben Nicholson-Smith (7:45) who provides insight on how deferrals have factored into the negotiation, the path towards a deal between the two parties, whether the optics are shifting back into Guerrero Jr.'s favour, and just how real is the hype surrounding Alan Roden and Jake Bloss. Then, Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne join...
Mar 12, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to the Toronto Maple Leafs blowing a 3-0 lead, but holding on for a shootout win against Utah HC last night. Then, the conversation shifts to the NFL with James Palmer, senior reporter for Underdog and insider at Bleacher Report (11:45). JD and James discuss the quarterback market, Sam Darnold's fit with the Seattle Seahawks, the Pittsburgh Steelers' and Mike Tomlin's pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, why the Houston Texans moved on from offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and which teams have imp...
Mar 11, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD reacts to reports of Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner being approached to waive his no-move clause during trade talks with the Carolina Hurricanes. The conversation continues with The Athletic's James Mirtle (10:45) as together, they dissect what Toronto being in on Mikko Rantanen tells us about contract negotiations with Mitch Marner, what factors into the discussion beyond money, and first impressions on Scott Laughton and Brandon Carlo. Then, JD addresses the Toronto Raptors flirting ...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD is joined by Sportsnet NHL Analyst Colby Armstrong to start the show on NHL trade deadline day. They discuss the Brock Nelson trade from the Islanders to the Avalanche, reports of Mikko Rantanen being moved to the Stars, how it all affects the Leafs, and where Brad Marchand could end up (00:00). JD dives deeper into the Leafs' inactivity in the trade market and how important it is for Toronto to make a move. (38:14) Then, JD and Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne , break down t...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 36 min
JD reacts to a rough stretch for Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll, Matthew Knies' fight with Zach Whitecloud, and the mounting pressure on the Leafs at the deadline (00:00). Anthony Petrielli, host and writer at Maple Leafs Hot Stove, joins JD to get into the Leafs' needs, Simon Benoit, and how the Leafs lines are fitting together (14:00). Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman joins JD to break down if more teams have become sellers, the aggressiveness of Tampa Bay and Florida, the pressure ...
Mar 06, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD starts with his thoughts on the Trent Frederic trade from the Bruins to the Oilers (00:00). Frank Seravalli, NHL Insider from Daily Faceoff, joins the show to break down the market around Brayden Schenn, Mikko Rantanen, and Yanni Gourde, along with where the Leafs' deadline priorities are, interest in the Flyers' Scott Laughton and Rasmus Ristolainen, and Ryan O'Reilly's availability in Nashville (5:51). JD then reacts to the Kyrie Irving injury and the heartbreak of being a Dallas Mavericks ...
Mar 05, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's MVP-level season after his most recent 50-point game against the Rockets, before diving into the Maple Leafs ahead of Friday's trade deadline, following their shootout loss to the Sharks (00:00). Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne , joins JD to continue the conversation with Auston Matthews' struggles, the team's targets on the back-end, Brendan Shanahan's urgency to have success, and updates Mitch Marner's looming free agency (20:45). Then, Dav...
Mar 04, 2025•1 hr 36 min
JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , sift through a philosophical trade deadline question about tortured franchises and their fans (00:00). JD and Ben also chop it up about LeBron James' critical comments and the Wayne Gretzky discourse (35:00). James Mirtle, senior NHL writer at The Athletic, projects what to expect from the NHL's trade deadline week, how the Maple Leafs' front office is positioned, Nick Robertson's value, Brayden Schenn's fit in Toronto, and other trade targets ...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD explains what he'd like to see from the Maple Leafs as the NHL's trade deadline week approaches. Brady Quinn, FOX NFL analyst, breaks down how the NFL Combine has evolved, the Wonderlic test, how the 2025 draft class looks, how teams are approaching the starting quarterback conversation, Shedeur Sanders stock, the podcast probes, plus the future of Aaron Rodgers' and Matthew Stafford's future (8:00). Brian Boyle, NHL Network analyst and former NHL forward, checks-in from New York ahead of the...
Feb 28, 2025•1 hr 37 min
Blake Murphy, co-host of The Raptors Show , joins JD in-studio to get into how NBA coverage has evolved, the impact of nostalgia, and the possibility of Joel Embiid on the Toronto Raptors (00:00). Cam Janssen, former NHL'er and co-host of the Cam & Strick Podcast , chats about the pod's Brady Tkachuk clip that went viral, the Tkachuk brothers' media tour, Alex Ovechkin's chase, how Jordan Binnington is being perceived by St. Louis fans, the Blues as a crucial trade deadline team, and Brayden...
Feb 27, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD reacts to the Leafs' 5-4 overtime comeback against the Boston Bruins last night. He share his takeaways including Nick Robertson's physical play, potential injuries to Chris Tanev and William Nylander, and Auston Matthews not looking like himself until late in the game. The conversation on Matthews continues with Mike Futa, co-host of The FAN Hockey Show (9:45). They theorize what's behind the Leafs captain's inconsistencies, whether Toronto should be in the trade market for non-rental player...
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , conduct a temperature check on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and discuss how the lack of a contract extension may permeate throughout the Blue Jays season (00:00). DJ Bean, co-host of the What Chaos! Show , checks-in from Boston to dive into the importance of the 4 Nations Face-Off in the United States, how hockey can capitalize, Auston Matthews' perception, and, imagine, Brad Marchand as Maple Leaf (52:00). The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (1:28:0...
Feb 25, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD starts the week lingering, big-picture thoughts on the 4 Nations Face-Off; growing the game, Sidney Crosby, and Mitch Marner (00:00). Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter and co-host of At the Letters , Arden Zwelling, checks-in from Spring Training down in Dunedin, Florida (26:00). JD and Arden discuss if Orelvis Martinez can make an impact on the Jays Major League roster, the most compelling players to watch in Spring Training, Alan Roden's likely outcome(s) this season and the biggest challenge fo...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to Canada's victory over the United States to win the 4 Nations Face-Off (00:00). Two-time Stanley Cup winner Kris Versteeg joins the show to discuss the importance of the win for Canada as a nation, the mentality needed to play for your country, the stand-out play of Sam Bennett in the final, the evolution of the rivalry between Canada and the U.S., the significance of the contributions from veterans Sidney Crosby and Drew Doughty, roster changes they would make for the Olympic team, ...
Feb 21, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD previews the 4 Nations Face-Off Final between Canada and the USA (00:00). Jackie Redmond from NHL on TNT and the NHL Network joins to discuss the stakes for both countries, if USA sacrificed too much in the round-robin, the potential lasting legacy of the tournament, the identity of the two rosters, adjustments to consider for Canada and the Maple Leafs angle in all of this (7:00). Dam Hamhuis, 2014 Gold Medalist who represented Canada nine times at the international level, talks about the ke...
Feb 20, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD is joined by Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne , to preview the 4 Nations Face-Off. They debate whether Canada's roster still has the 'it' factor, what the tournament represents for the country, concerns in the crease, and if Mitch Marner performing in a big spot would change how he's perceived (7:30). Later, JD reacts to Shi Davidi's Sportsnet.ca article on contract negotiations between the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (44:30). Then, JD and Sportsnet NHL analyst Colby ...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , to react to the Philadelphia Eagles' blowout victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, whether Patrick Mahomes entering the GOAT conversation was premature, the irony of Tom Brady calling the game, and Jalen Hurts' MVP performance (0:00). JD and Ben move on to the Blue Jays, the miss on Pete Alonso, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s approaching deadline to sign an extension, and Toronto's roster being the among the oldest in basebal...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 38 min
JD reacts to Anthony Stolarz returning to the Maple Leafs' crease and making 26 saves in a 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. TheScore's Joe Casciaro joins to discuss the Raptors deadline moves in totality including Brandon Ingram’s injury history, spacing concerns with the starting lineup, the logic behind Toronto acquiring and immediately waiving James Wiseman, favourite deals from the NBA trade deadline, and Jordi Fernandez stepping away as head coach of Canada Basketball’s senior men’s program...
Feb 07, 2025•1 hr 22 min
JD reacts to the Raptors acquiring Brandon Ingram from the New Orleans Pelicans. The conversation continues with Ben Ennis; co-host of The FAN Morning Show. JD and Ben question the Raptors' trajectory, if their ceiling is high enough, whether RJ Barrett and Ingram can co-exist, the Miami Heat trading Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors, and why Kevin Durant shot down a Warriors reunion (10:40). Later, the duo debate what the worst pain you can experience as a sports fan is (36:00). Afterwa...
Feb 06, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on the NBA trade rumours ahead of Thursday’s deadline, before being joined by ESPN Insider Bobby Marks. He breaks down the reaction to Luka Dončić's trade to the Lakers, how it affects the rest of the league, where Kevin Durant and Jimmy Butler could land, and the reports surrounding Brandon Ingram and the Raptors (00:00). Then, JD touches on the Raptors loss to the Knicks and revisits the Karl-Anthony Towns trade from the Timberwolves (36:22). Later, Senior W...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD starts with lingering Maple Leafs thoughts from the weekend (00:00). Frank Seravalli, NHL Insider from Daily Faceoff, breaks down the context around the Leafs trade targets: Yanni Gourde, Brandon Tanev, Dylan Cousins and Scott Laughton (10:00). JD and Frank argue about what may be the best route for the Leafs this trade deadline, before discussing the push and pull around Mitch Marner's contract. JD then reacts to news of MLB firing umpire Pat Hoberg for sharing a betting account with a frien...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD opens the show with his thoughts on the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis swap from the weekend, before being joined by two-time Stanley Cup champion, Kris Versteeg. He weighs in on Connor McDavid’s comments on starting games earlier when the Leafs come to town, the differences between the Oilers and Leafs on defence and in goal, continued use of the five-forward power play, implications of the salary cap rising on Mitch Marner’s contract negotiations, and the fallout from the J.T. Miller trade (00:0...
Feb 03, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to news of Max Scherzer signing with the Blue Jays (00:00). Jason Demers, NHL Network analyst, discusses the effects of low-energy crowds at Maple Leafs games, what Morgan Reilly needs to succeed and how NHL'ers are viewing the 4 Nations Face-Off (7:00). Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show , checks-in with JD to chat about the excitement of the Scherzer signing and Toronto's payroll (27:50). Chris Bassitt from the Toronto Blue Jays joins the show to get into what Scherzer brings...
Jan 31, 2025•1 hr 37 min
James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, joins JD at the top of the show to discuss the potential fit for Brandon Saad with the Leafs, their approach to dealing with injuries, 4 Nations Face-Off decisions, the best line combinations with Max Domi struggling, and the ongoing conversation around fan atmosphere inside Scotiabank Arena (00:00). Then, JD gives his thoughts on the latest in the Canucks drama (44:06). MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi comes on to talk offseason news, where the Blue J...
Jan 30, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Blake Murphy, co-host of The Raptors Show , joins JD in-studio to sift through Blake's Raptors trade deadline primer (00:00). How important is the Raptors financial flexibility? Why are the Raptors being linked to Brandon Ingram and how would he fit on the team? What's spurring Scottie Barnes' positive improvement? Will the Raptors get into a better tank position if or when they trade their veteran players? JD and Blake then touch on Immanuel Quickley and a comparison for Barnes (36:00). Toronto...
Jan 29, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to Elliotte Freidman’s report that some NHL teams will begin to enforce an “internal cap” strategy as the NHL’s salary cap rises. Writer from Maple Leafs Hot Stove, Anthony Petrielli, discusses his Monday notebook; the consistently injured roster, offensive issues with the blue line, and Morgan Reilly (00:00). JD then looks at the Raptors winning six of their last seven games and what their future avenues might look like (35:25). Next, Sid Seixeiro, host of Breakfast Television, chats ...
Jan 28, 2025•1 hr 38 min
Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, drops by for 'Good Hour' to talk about the discourse around officiating in the NFL, the Bills' coaching, Patrick Mahomes, the Senators and Leafs fan rivalry, Ottawa's fanbase, the Blue Jays' offseason strategy, and Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s worth (00:00). Then, JD gives his thoughts on the Chiefs' dynasty and the Bills devastating loss (49:28). After, NFL Analyst for FOX, Brady Quinn discusses NFL Conference Championship weekend, Josh Allen, Buffalo's play c...
Jan 27, 2025•1 hr 37 min
JD reacts to Michael Grange's article on Sportsnet.ca that details the Raptors situation heading towards the NBA trade deadline (00:00). Blue Jays columnist, Shi Davidi, breaks down how and why the Blue Jays deferred some of Anthony Santander's contract, how real the Pete Alonso momentum is, what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. values, and if the Jays have changed their payroll approach (13:00). Next, ESPN's Bill Barnwell joins JD to analyze the biggest headlines going into the NFL's Championship Weekend ...
Jan 24, 2025•1 hr 38 min
James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, talks with JD at the top of the show about the Leafs’ plan if Matthew Knies should miss time, what they should be coveting in potential trades, and how to address the play of Morgan Rielly and Max Domi (00:00). Then, Marcellus Wiley of Dat Dude TV, Hydration Situation, On the Rocks Podcast, and 10-year NFL veteran, tackles the Lamar Jackson discourse, how sharp the Chiefs will be against Buffalo and Bills Mafia, the Cowboys’ head coach pursuit, and t...
Jan 23, 2025•1 hr 38 min
