The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD reacts to Kevin Gausman's comments about the Blue Jays clubhouse before bringing on MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter (5:30). JD asks Ben about the Jays strategy, what kind of a market is developing across the league, if the Jays can sell and improve the roster for next season, what the Jays expiring contracts like Kevin Gausman, George Springer and Daulton Varsho could nab the Jays. 

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, (6:00) debate how big of a sell the Blue Jays should have at the deadline, Kevin Gausman’s future, which Jays holds the most trade value, a potential lockout, building towards 2027, what life would look like if Vladdy was better, and selling high on Ernie Clement. (39:00) The show ends with 'Old News!'

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an...

Robert Murray, MLB insider at FanSided, talks about his read on the Blue Jays deadline strategy, how next seasons lockout potential is impacting some front offices, trading within the American League East division, what the timeline of trades could be, Jeff Hoffman's value around the league, if there is a market for George Springer and Dalton Varsho. The show ends 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 returns from his break to recap the week that was in sports, starting with the Blue Jays. JD talks about the disbelief and frustration level(s) of the Jays lost season and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued struggles. Then, JD (18:00) explains why he isn't into a "soft sell." JD then gives his thoughts on LeBron James' decision to join the Philadelphia76ers and Darren Ferris' latest comments about Mitch Marner and Toronto. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and d...

JD previews the restart of the Blue Jays season and is joined by Ben Nicholson-Smith (5:00) to dive into the team. JD and Ben discuss the prospect of Bo Bichette returning to the Blue Jays, how bad Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season has really been, who the Jays could target at or before the trade deadline, and which Jays players could garner legitimate returns. 

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.

Hosted by S...

JD reacts to England's late-game collapse and how the semi-final was relatable in the Toronto market. Jordan Shusterman, co-host of The Cespedes BBQ podcast, breaks down (10:00) why the MLB doesn't try harder to make the MLB draft into an entertaining event, why he's excited about the Blue Jays 2026 draft picks, and an update on the other Jays prospects. 

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See p...

JD reacts to new reports about the NBA's investigation on Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. Joseph Casciaro, NBA reporter at theScore, joins JD (5:00) to get into the moving parts of the investigation, the best and worst case scenarios for both Leonard and the Raptors, Adam Silver's "hope" that the investigation will be resolved by the end of summer, and Collin Murray-Boyles' hand injury. JD touches on Brandon Pridham joining Kyle Dubas' front office, before reacting to breaking news of Steve Yzerman stepping down as the Head of Hockey Operations for the Detroit Red Wings (35:00). 

The v...

JD recaps and breaks down the Blue Jays' last weekend before the All-Star break, UFC 329 and the continued World Cup action. JD talks about the Jays disappointing first half of the season and what the team needs to improve for the rest of the 2026 season and moving forward into 2027. Then (16:00), JD touches on Connor McGregor's disaster fight, how the ending of his career will be remembered and where the UFC goes from there. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (36:00)

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and...

JD reacts to Morroco's loss to France and what it makes him feel about Canada Soccer and teases UFC 329. JD and Sportsnet's Michael Grange then get into the news of the NBA putting the Raptors and Clippers trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold until their investigation into the Clippers cap circumvention (10:00). JD asks Grange if the Raptors could have gotten a better deal for Leonard considering the stress the Clippers are under, what could happen if Leonard's contract is voided as punishment from the NBA, why it's taking so long for the NBA to come to a conclusion to...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, discuss Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, how starting pitching has evolved, what a signing Cease has been for the Jays, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued struggles. JD and Ben end the hour with "old news." 

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data f...

JD opens with thoughts on where the Blue Jays are at through 92 games of the season including why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s performance is the hinge point before the trade deadline and what the roster's biggest holes are. Next, JD touches (12:00) on Daniel Alfredsson joining the Maple Leafs coaching staff and why it bothers him. Jim Bowden, MLB insider, joins JD (22:00) to get into the Blue Jays' potential pathways before the trade deadline, the value of the team's relievers and if they’d entertain trading them, how the potential of a lockout is affecting MLB front offices, and the favou...

JD reacts to Kyle Lowry's retirement video and his NBA career, before moving onto his thoughts on the Blue Jays' putrid weekend on the west coast. JD talks (9:00) about the Jays' biggest causes for concerns, if he sees any optimism remaining, and how the next few weeks of games will impact the front offices decision-making heading into the MLB's trade deadline in August. JD then (22:00) gets into Canada Soccer's elimination at the World Cup, Alphonso Davies' not playing, Jesse March's fit and standing with the national program. The show ends with 'What We Missed! (37:00)

The views and...

JD and Sam McKee, co-Host of Leafs Talk, chop it up about the last World Cup game in Toronto, what new Maple Leafs' they are most excited about, and what Morgan Rielly returning to Toronto may look like. The duo then into the Sergei Bobrovsky and the Leafs goaltending situation, and how Gavin McKenna could be deployed. The week ends with discussion about the Boston Celtics confusing Jaylen Brown trade (44:30).

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...

JD and James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, break down all of the Maple Leafs activity on the first day of NHL free-agency. JD asks James about the likelihood of Morgan Reilly returning to the Leafs, Sergei Bobrovsky's contract,  if there is a danger that Matthew Knies feels alienated, and if Zach Werenski is truly of the trade table. JD and James also give their letter grades for each Leafs signing. 

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 & Me...

JD is joined by host of the Hoops Tonight, Jason Timpf, to dive into Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto, his health concerns, the trio of Kawhi, Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, and what this deal means for RJ Barrett’s future. They then dive into LeBron James's future and what it would look like if he and Anthony Davis joined Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. (42:00) After the break, JD and Armen discuss the vibe around Toronto with Kawhi returning, and touch on LeBron’s departure from a Lakers fan's point of view. 

The views and opi...

JD reacts to Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto. Elliotte Friedman (6:00), Sportsnet NHL insider and co-host of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, joins JD to get into NHL free agency; the latest on Zach Werenski and Matthew Knies' future in Toronto. (21:30) JD continues his thoughts on the Leafs potentially signing Sergei Bobrovsky and what Kawhi's return means for the Raptors championship odds. (35:00) After the break, JD is joined by Marco D'Amico, co-host of The Starr & D'Amico Show, to discuss the proliferation of the no-movement clause, what the Tampa Bay Lightning could offer for Werenski, and what’s next for Connor Hellebuyck.

...

JD reacts to reports that the Raptors are close to finalizing a trade to land Kawhi Leonard. Mike Futa, former Los Angeles Knights assistant general manager, joins JD in-studio to get into Bo Bichette's emotional return to Toronto, what Gavin McKenna is bringing to the Maple Leafs, the Leafs emphasis on analytics, what organizational alignment really means, and if a Zach Werenski-Matthew Knies swap would interest him. 

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 Canada's historic World Cup victory to advance to the round of 16. Next (6:00), JD speaks about the Maple Leafs drafting Gavin McKenna and brings on Sportsnet's Jason Bukala to break down the NHL draft. JD asks Jason about the decentralized draft and why he feels the Leafs excelled at the 2026 draft. Devang Desai, Sportsnet soccer writer, joins JD (34:30) to get into the complicated expectations for Canada Soccer, Jesse Marsch's post-match address to the team, and their next opponent. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do n...

JD Bunkis and Sam McKee share their reaction to the 2026 NHL Draft with the Toronto Maple Leafs drafting Gavin McKenna with their first overall pick. The guys touch on what the Penn State forward brings to the team and what's next for the franchise.

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 affiliate.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal d...

JD previews the NHL draft and the Maple Leafs thought process with the number one overall selection. Cam Robinson, senior director and scout at Elite Prospects, breaks down (8:00) who he would draft, what the reservations are about Gavin McKenna, why the conversation around McKenna has shifted, how to rank the best defensemen in the 2026 draft class, and the potential of post-draft player movement. JD touches on the Blue Jays to end the week (43:00). 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers S...

JD tips off the pod discussing the growing buzz around a Matthew Knies trade. JD then gives his thoughts on the Jays' 3-1 loss to the Astros before welcoming (10:00) James Sharman, co-host of Footy Prime. JD asks James about Canada’s loss to Switzerland, what to expect against South Africa, Stephen Eustáquio’s health, and what's going on with Alphonso Davies. JD then reacts (42:00) to Lamelo Ball being traded to the Timberwolves, and Kawhi Leonard being linked to the Raptors. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays tough loss in extra innings. Tate Frazier, host at The Ringer, breaks down what the Raptors 19th draft pick, Allen Graves, can bring to Toronto. JD then (37:00) asks Tate about the 2026 lottery picks, who outside of the top five could become a star, and which pick was his favourite for fit. JD then goes through a busy trade day in the NHL. 

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, discuss Giannis Antetokounmpo getting traded to the Miami Heat, overreactions to the New York Knicks, the Blue Jays being back to .500, Shane Bieber's return, and the best closers in franchise history. 

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JD reacts to the Ottawa Senators trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers. John Gruden, Toronto Marlies head coach, reflects on what led to the Marlies' rise to Calder Cup champions, the development of the Maple Leafs top prospects, how development works for coaches, what impresses him most about Artur Akhtyamov and Easton Cowan, and his impressions of new Maple Leafs head coach, Jim Hiller, who he coached alongside with with the New York Islanders. JD then touches on the Blue Jays weekend and hits 'What We Missed!'

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast...

JD is joined by Sam McKee and Ben Ennis to dive into the Maple Leafs acquisition of defensemen Darren Raddysh via sign-and-trade from the Tampa Bay Lightning. JD and Sam discuss all the pros and cons of Raddysh's game, the Leafs' eight-year contract offer, and how Toronto's defensive core could look next season. JD and Ben then (30:00) shift focus to the Blue Jays sweep at Fenway Park and what level Vladimir Guerrero Jr. needs to be at to make the Jays competitive. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests a...

JD reacts further to the Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller. Justin Bourne (08:15), co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne, joins JD to share what he expects from Hiller, the patience this hire allows Toronto to have, and his likes and dislikes from his time with Hiller. JD and Justin then touch on Gavin McKenna and why he should be the number one overall pick (46:07). After the break, JD talks about the Blue Jays future sans Max Scherzer, Spencer Miles’ impressive season, and the need for a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit a homerun. JD and producer Armen wrap up with a pr...

JD reacts to breaking news of the Toronto Maple Leafs hiring Jim Hiller their next head coach. JD also reacts to the Leafs trading away Joseph Woll before bringing on James Mirtle (12:45), senior writer at The Athletic. JD asks James about Hiller’s coaching history and characteristics and what fans can expect from Hiller based on his former tenure on the Leafs coaching staff. JD and James shift their focus (23:55) to the number one overall draft pick, the Woll trade, the value of goaltending depth, Emil Andrae’s potential, and the future of Morgan Rielly. 

The views and o...

JD gives his final thoughts on Mitch Marner, before shifting focus to the Blue Jays (4:30). JD highlights the Jays’ lack of magic compared to the 2025 season, their lack of consistency, and the mounting pressure on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. After the break, JD is joined by Blake Murphy, host of Blue Jays Talk Plus (19:00), to get into George Springer’s struggles, Brandon Valenzuela potentially playing first base, and the bat they have the most confidence in right now. The show wraps up with debate about if the Raptors should be interested in De'Aaron Fox. 

The views and opinions expre...

JD recaps the Stanley Cup Final victory for the Carolina Hurricanes (4:00). He highlights Jordan Staal winning the Conn Smythe, ponders if the 'Canes team-building can be duplicated, and outlines Mitch Marner’s play in Games 5 and 6. JD then dives into the Knicks breaking their 53-year championship drought (24:00), Jalen Brunson altering the small guard narrative, the future of De'Aaron Fox, and how the Raptors fumbled the post-Kawhi era. After the break (35:00), JD jumps into the Blue Jays weekend series against the Yankees, Canada’s start to the World Cup and UFC Freedom 250 .

The views and opinions expressed in this...

JD previews Canada’s opening matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina and ponders what the fan ratio might be in the home-opener. JD then talks about the Blue Jays series against the New York Yankees before. Two-time Stanley Cup champion Kris Versteeg (08:30) joins the show to react to the Stanley Cup Final, the chippiness of Game 5, what Vegas can do in Game 6 to stay alive, who needs to step up for Vegas Conn Smythe favourites, Jordan Staal turning back the clock, and the play of Brandon Bussi. The week ends with JD and Versteeg debating Dylan Larkin's list of trade de...

JD tips off the pod with his thoughts on the New York Knicks unreal 29-point comeback against the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. He breaks down how OG Anunoby might be the favorite for Finals MVP, how the Raptors' trading him has never looked worse, and how De'Aaron Fox will bear the brunt of the blame for the collapse. JD and Ben Nicholson Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter, discuss the Jays following their 7-4 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies. JD and Ben get into what’s next for the Jays' pitching staff and sp...

JD tips off the show with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 loss in their series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies. He breaks down the hot streak Ernie Clement is on, the poor play of George Springer, and the never-ending disappointment of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. JD and Ray Ferraro, NHL analyst for Sportsnet and ESPN, discuss the incredibly exciting ride that the Stanley Cup Final has been, a potential goalie decision for Carolina ahead of Game 4, the Mitch Marner saga, and the impact leaving Toronto has had on him. They wrap things up with NHL Combine chatter, as...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays' comeback win against the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. He breaks down the incredible recent play of rookie Brandon Valenzuela, the continued struggles of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and the tear Louis Varland continues to be on. JD and James Sharman, co-host of Footy Prime, discuss the lack of buzz around this year's World Cup, the mentality of Team Canada, and the likelihood of Alphonso Davies playing and Canada’s injuries, before wrapping things up talking about the future of the program. After the break, JD touches on Mitch Marner's playoff performance, before wrapping up wi...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays much-needed win against Chris Sale and the Atlanta Braves. JD and Shayna Goldman, national NHL writer at The Athletic, discuss the controversial no-goal call from Game 2, what they've learned about these teams through two games, how the teams may be feeling after splitting the first two games, the goaltending battle, the Hurricanes' unproductive top line, why Mitch Marner has worked so well with the Golden Knights, and Dylan Larkin's trade request. The week ends with JD's thoughts about the proposed Matthew Knies to Montreal trade that never went through.

The views...

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, tell old man stories, try to determine Brandon Valenzuela's value, discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s now "disaster" season, the biggest issues plaguing the team, what climbing back to a .500 record would mean for the team, and overreactions they had from Game 1 of the NBA Finals. 

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com f...

JD reacts to Vegas Golden Knights' Game 1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes and the start of the Blue Jays series against the Atlanta Braves. Next, Jason Timpf, host of Hoops Tonight, joins JD to get into the NBA Finals. They discuss how the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs matchup, the contrast of their star players, why Jason is leaning towards the Knicks, if New York's path to the Finals really tested them, how to slow down Victor Wembanyama, and the legacy stakes on the line. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those o...

JD reacts to Mitch Marner's "dark times" comments before the Stanley Cup Final. JD and James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, discuss why everything is being made to be about the Maple Leafs, the NHL's media landscape, how the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights matchup, Judd Brackett being named the Leafs Assistant General Manager, the Leafs continued search for a head coach, and how the Leafs conversation with Morgan Rielly may go. JD ends the show discussing two big trades in the NFL.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays rollercoaster weekend to split their four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles. Ariel Helwani joins JD to get into his New York Knicks fandom and the NBA Finals matchup against the San Antonio Spurs. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the historic Game 7 of the Western Conference Final and what's next for the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

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.

Hosted by Simplecast, an A...

Chris Bassitt, Baltimore Orioles pitcher and former Blue Jay, discusses the weirdness of pitching against your former team, George Springer sticking his tongue out, PitchCom issues, stories from the World Series run, coming out of the bullpen during the playoffs, how having an opener impacts a starting pitcher, and the MLB owners' first proposal to the MLBPA. The show ends with discussion about the San Antonio Spurs heading to Game 7 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position o...

JD reacts to the Blue Jays series win over the Miami Marlins. Then, JD asks Marco D'Amico, co-host of The Starr and D'Amico Show, why the Montreal Canadiens have struggled to win at the Bell Centre, how the Carolina Hurricanes have taken control the series, what the Canadiens need to do better, if the extra rest between series has helped the Hurricanes, if the Canadiens will be expected to have an aggressive off-season, and what the Canadiens need to become perennial Stanley Cup contenders. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' 

The views and opinions expressed i...