The JD Bunkis Podcast

Luke Gazdic, Sportsnet NHL analyst, hops aboard alongside JD Bunkis to chat about Troy Stecher's past with the Edmonton Oilers, how the Maple Leafs third line is bolstering the team, and if modern coaching has become more challenging, before weighing some different types of coaching styles (00:00). Producer Brandon then joins JD for 'What We Missed!' (35:00) 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 and Producer Armen start the show talking about LeBron James’ 10-point scoring streak ending in Toronto in the most poetic way. JD then shifts focus to the Maple Leafs and brings on (14:00) Jackie Redmond, from the NHL on TNT and WWE, to expand on Woll’s injury, Troy Stecher being relatable, and Auston Matthews closing in on Mats Sundin’s Leafs goal scoring record. 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.

Kevin Kiermaier, former Toronto Blue Jay and 12-year MLB centrefielder, discusses his goal to revolutionize outfield defense, if the Blue Jays influenced his post-playing career, his relationship with Daulton Varsho, what's attractive to free agents about Toronto and the Blue Jays, and his relationship with Kevin Pillar. 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 Giannis Antentekounmpo having discussions with the Milwaukee Bucks about his future. Bobby Marks, ESPN NBA front office insider, joins JD to get into the flattened eastern conference, how the Giannis sweepstakes can play out, and if Toronto's offer to Milwaukee would be competitive (10:00). JD and Producer Armen then look ahead to the Los Angeles Lakers coming to town (35:00). 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.

Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins JD to discuss Cody Ponce’s track record, how good he can be in MLB, if former Blue Jay Hyun Jin-Ryu had an impact, how the Jays are scouting in the Pacific rim, the Jays' overloaded starting rotation, Jose Berrios’ standing on the rotation, if the Ponce signing signals the departure of Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer and how that may impact the team, predicting Eric Lauer's role with the team moving forward, the remaining relief market, and the latest on Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (40:00) 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 reacts to the wins from the Maple Leafs and Raptors, before bringing on James Mirtle (12:00), senior writer from The Athletic. JD and James get into the Leafs' best performance of their season, if they're buying stock in the third line after their encouraging performance, why Scott Laughton's presence has made a difference, Troy Stecher's surprising impact, the Leafs poor powerplay, Auston Matthews' play and Brandon Carlo's timeline. 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.

Mike Futa, co-host of The FAN Hockey Show, joins JD in-studio to get into real litmus tests, the bar for the Maple Leafs, how executives apply what they see on the ice into boardroom conversations, which Maple Leafs would garner value in the trade market, and how to plan a to pitch a rebuild to ownership. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (39:30) 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 any affiliates.

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD in-studio to chop it up about Brad Marchand's trolling, modern rivalries, Devin Williams signing with the New York Mets, the remaining market for pitchers, and the ever-strong American League East. 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.

Matthew Barnaby, 14-year NHL forward, joins JD to discuss how much defence can be improved mid-season, if the Maple Leafs next game is their biggest litmus test yet, how to evaluate the Leafs next stretch, and Dakota Joshua's bounce-back performance after being a healthy scratch (00:00). Later, JD weighs where the Leafs season is at and compares them to the Edmonton Oilers, before wrapping up with 'What We Missed!' (26:00) 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 looks over the up and down weekend for the Maple Leafs and Raptors (00:00). Former NFL quarterback, Brady Quinn, joins JD (10:00) to analyze the suddenly surging Dallas Cowboys, Ben Johnson maximizing the first-placed Chicago Bears, the Philidelphia Eagles dysfunction, what team is this safest bet to fall off, why the Buffalo Bills have no excuse and Shedeur Sanders' performance. JD then touches on the Blue Jays pusruit for a leverage reliever. 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.

The Athletic's James Mirtle joins JD to dive into the uptick of injuries in the NHL; if it's impacting the product and how it compares to other leagues. Then, JD and James discuss Dakota Joshua's scratch and reemergence in the lineup, how to productively shake up the lines, and what the Leafs' case is for getting involved in the bubbling trade market. JD and Producer Armen hit 'What We Missed!' (36:00) 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 lays out his Black Friday gripe (00:00). Raptors play by play voice, Eric Smith, joins JD to discuss his new book 'We the Raptors', and chat about which past version of the Raptors the current Raptors team reminds him of, what's gone into the Raptors winning ways so far this season, and how Darko Rajakovic has put his imprint on the team (8:00). JD and {Producer Brandon then get into the NFL's American Thanksgiving action (37:30). 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 any affiliates.

Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins JD to dive deeper into the Blue Jays signing Dylan Cease; how is this signing on-brand with the Jays strategy? What is Cease's value and expectation? What are the advantages of jumping the free-agenct market? Why is the transofmred starting rotation in a good position? And, what's next on the off-season priority list? 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, from The FAN Morning Show, react to the Blue Jays signing starting pitcher Dylan Cease. The good hour duo discuss what Cease brings to the Jays, compare him to past starting pitchers the Jays have signed, what this signals about the Jays ownership and front office off-season plans. After, the guys bring up the worst contracts in Toronto sports history (40:00). 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.

Matt Bonner, former Raptor and co-host of The Raptors Show, and JD chat about the Raptors winning streak, Nikola Jokic's greatness, Chris Paul's legacy, and how the point guard position has changed (00:00). 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 mulls over the rising frequency of injuries before bringing on Nick Kypreos, from the Real Kyper and Bourne, to get into Auston Matthews' injury reporting, how the teams injury concerns have changed since Craig Berube took over, and Nick's trade board on Sportsnet.ca. 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 sifts through Auston Matthews’ career, why this is Matthews’ hinge moment, and the perception of him in the Toronto market. JD and Producer Armen then continue the Raptors conversation before getting into Don Mattingly's comments on the infamous game 7 play, and the comments made by Tatsuya Imai and Hal Steinbrenner. 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 Raptors winning their eighth straight victory. Sportsnets Michael Grange joins JD (9:00) to analyze how real this stretch of Raptors basketball is, what's surprised him about Brandon Ingram and the team cohesion, RJ Barrett's role in culture setting, how Scottie Barnes' has grown as a leader, and Jamal Shead's impact of winning. JD closes the hour talking about another underwhelming stand-alone game in the NFL. 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.

Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, joins JD to dive into the Maple Leafs culture and what is contributing to their losing ways (00:00). JD and Kris discuss the Leafs' lack of pointed emotion, if and how they are missing Mitch Marner, the coaching bluepint, working the injuries, and why Auston Matthews is facing the most pressure in his career. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (38:00). 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 reacts to the Maple Leafs sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings (00:00). FOX NFL analyst, Brady Quinnn, joins JD (10:00) to chat about what team changed his opinion the most in week 12, if the Kansas City Chiefs are still one of the best teams, the concern level for the Philidelphia Eagles, Matthew Stafford turning back the clock, if the window has closed on the Detroit Lions, and questionable coaching decisions. 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.