JD Bunkis breaks down the biggest stories in sports every weekday morning. Honest, direct, and a touch of diablerie. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN from 9am-11am ET.
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 John surgery impacts the outlook of the AL East. Later, JD and Ben shift their focus towards the Toronto Maple Leafs, whether tonight's matchup against the Florida Panthers is a measuring-stick game, and how close the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens are to becoming Toronto's biggest rival again. Afterwards, JD speaks with former all-star NHL blueliner Keith Yandle (50:00). The Spittin' Chiclets co-host shares why his former teammate, Scott Laughton, is well equipped to adjust quickly in Toronto, his reaction to Brad Marchand being traded to the Florida Panthers, and the growing number of NHL players willing to share their personality. JD and the producers close out the show 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 of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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 joins JD (52:00) to examine how the Toronto Maple Leafs have fared in the absence of injured defenceman Chris Tanev, the continued secrecy around Auston Matthews' health, and the changing relationship dynamics between teams, their athletes and sports media. JD and the producers close out the show 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 of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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 impressed most with their offseason transactions. Then, Sportsnet's Jason Bukala joins (51:40) JD to discuss Leafs captain Auston Matthews continuing to look 'off', Toronto emptying the cupboard of future assets including prospects Nikita Grebenkin and Fraser Minten, and a shift in draft philosophy under Mark Leach in his first year as Leafs' Director of Amateur Scouting. Afterwards, JD and the producers close out the show 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 of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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 with a record that could take them out of a prime draft position in Stats You Should Know. Afterwards, two-time Stanley Cup Champ Kris Versteeg joins the show (50:45) to reflect on his experience being traded on deadline, the challenge for Laughton and Carlo acclimate in the middle of a divisional playoff race, the argument for Laughton to play up and down the lineup, if the Colorado Avalanche had the best deadline, and the surprising breakup between the Boston Bruins and Brad Marchand. JD and the producers close out the show 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 of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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 the Leafs' trade options, who would be the best fit for team going forward, who they should be willing to move, and how involved they've been in other deals (49:32). Later, JD and former Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde get into the Lightning's prolonged success, the Leafs' playoff-style game under Craig Berube, and how a coach operates around the deadline (01:13:35).
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.
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 on the Leafs management, the latest on pending free agents Mitch Marner and Mikko Rantanen, the Leafs' blue-line, and Nick Robertson (51:00). The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (1:22:00)
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.
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 fan in 2025 (48:02). Next, JD looks at the Raptors' win over the Magic in the final seconds and seeks out positives in the season as they continue to jockey for draft position (52:49). Then, Creator of Uncrowned, Ariel Helwani, jumps on to discuss the power of UFC stars to bring eyes to the sport, Alex Pereira v. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 313, the lack of depth on recent cards, and John Cena's surprising heel turn at WWE Elimination Chamber in Toronto (01:36:42).
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.
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, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period jumps on to talk more deadline, the trade market evolving around Mikko Rantanen, the strategy in Edmonton to make moves, status of the Eastern Conference playoff bubble teams, willingness in Buffalo to make significant moves, the likelihood Easton Cowan or Fraser Minten are moved out of Toronto, and what it would take to get Brayden Schenn out of St. Louis (48:37). Finally, JD and the producers take a look at “What We Missed” (1:23:33).
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.
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 for the blue and white (51:00).
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.
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 Maple Leafs and Rangers tilt (51:00). Brian discusses being teammates with Mitch Marner, the NHL's momentum in the United States, Connor McDavid and the slumping Edmonton Oilers, and the New York Rangers rollercoaster season. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (1:30:00)
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.
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 Schenn's value plus fit on the Maple Leafs (52:00). The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (1:23:00)
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.