The JD Bunkis Podcast

Jordan Poyer, 14-year NFL veteran, joins JD to analyze how real the undefeated Vikings are, going to a Bills tailgate as a former Bills player, what the Bills need to do differently in the playoffs this season, how players get up differently for rivalry games, and why the Seahawks may have the best defense in football. Then, JD and the producers hit "What We Missed" (32:38) 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 Ben Nicholson-Smith (5:00) to talk about the interest level for the World Series, why a salary cap will hurt baseball, how free agency transaction may play out before the assumed MLB lockout, if the Blue Jays will be aggressive in November, and how involved the Blue Jays will be in the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes. JD closes the hour criticizing Dylan Larkin's decision to stop playing for the Red Wings. 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 former Raptor Matt Bonner discuss some hypothesis about what could be contributing to the rise of star injuries early in the NBA season, the Raptors' upcoming stretch with Kawhi Leonard, RJ Barrett's value to the team and precarious contract situation, Collin-Murray Boyles' offensive repertoire, and the Jakob Poeltl problem. 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 critical and disappointing loss to the Seattle Kraken. Later, Jackie Redmond joins to discuss Jim Hiller's volatile deployment of Gavin McKenna, Sergei Bobrovsky's unimpressive tenure with the Leafs, and why Hiller is hesitant to pull Bobrovsky. 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 Marco D'Amico, co-host of The Starr and D'Amico Show, chat about how the tagging rule could apple to the Maple Leafs, how the Leafs can tangibly improve their blueline, how the stacked Atlantic Division may shake out, if the Canadiens would trade for Dylan Larkin if Larkin was willing to go there, and Simon Edvinsson's standoff with Detroit. JD closes the hour discussing the Colts fire-sale. 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 Sportsnet's Ben Ennis get into the news of Kawhi Leonard missing multiple weeks due to left knee swelling, how much of a bummer it is for fans versus the team, if star athlete return games have actual cathartic value, the NBA's star injury problem, how dominant the Brewers postseason run has really been, and how MLB's labour negotiations could impact playoff popularity. 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.

Raptors writer Joe Wolfond joins JD to dive into the first week of the Raptors season. JD and Joe get into the team's disappointing loss to the Timberwolves, how important RJ Barrett is to the team, the Jakob Poeltl problem, concern about how Kawhi Leonard looked and more. The show ends with '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 Sam McKee, from Real Kyper and Bourne, get into a couple light red flags for the Maple Leafs, how the Leafs stack up against the rest of their division, how the responsibility shifts without Kirill Marchenko, Easton Cowan's continued importance, the Leafs improved fourth line, and John Chayka's comments about improving the team. 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.

Former NFL quarterback, Brady Quinn, joins JD to analyze the Seahawks' win over the undefeated Chiefs, if he's buying JJ McCarthy stock, Kevin O'Connell's reputation, which contenders look shaky, and other headlines from the NFL. 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 reacts to a weekend of hate in the NHL, before breaking down the Maple Leafs' impressive 7-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers. JD brings on James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, to see if Mirtle is buying the good vibes of the Leafs after covering the team for nearly two decades. Then, JD and James get into Auston Matthews' leadership, Easton Cowan's leap, if Morgan Rielly and Troy Stecher can continue this pace of play, if they're surprised Ben Danford hasn't been called up from the Toronto Marlies, Jim Hiller's continued pressure to maximize Gavin McKenna, and Hiller's decision to start Stolarz versus the Oilers. Later (40:00), JD then asks James about the Winnipeg Jets' return for Connor Hellebuyck. 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 asks David Fizdale, 20-year NBA coach and NBA TV analyst, about his first impressions from the NBA's opening day and the statement the Thunder made, before moving on to the Raptors. JD and Coach Fizdale discuss Kawhi Leonard's return timing works for Toronto and Scottie Barnes, Darko Rajakovic's challenge of going from a growing team to a contender, and what to expect from RJ Barrett this season. 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 reacts to Kirill Marchenko's return to Columbus and brings on Sportsnet's Luke Gazdic to dive into the Maple Leafs. JD and Luke begin with Adam Fantilli's pointed comments about his ex-linemate Marchenko, if the Leafs have shown pieces of their identity in the last couple wins, Jim Hiller's intent with Gavin McKenna, what about Easton Cowan has been most impressive, how the Leafs lines and power play units may shake out as the season progresses, and Morgan Rielly's best game in a while. JD closes the hour discussing Brady Tkachuk's return to Ottawa (44:00). 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 is joined by Blake Murphy, co-host of The Raptors Show, to preview the Raptors season: is JD's excitement level found? How does Kawhi Leonard improve the team? Outside of defence and health, what is the Raptors biggest strength and weakness? What is Scottie Barnes' next step? Who or what are some X-factors for success? And what can fans expect from rookie Allen Graves? 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 Sportsnet's Sam McKee get into the Maple Leafs' important 3-1 win over the Sharks. The duo discuss the biggest positives from the night, Auston Matthews' leadership evolution, Gavin McKenna's fit in the Toronto market, Sergei Bobrovsky's uneven start with the Leafs, Nick Paul's impact, and the Leafs having the best penalty kill in the league. JD closes the hour discussing the World Series matchup. 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.

Brady Quinn, NFL on FOX analyst, joins JD to analyze Caleb Williams' spectacular return, if the Rams can turn their season around, if the NFL needs to improve their replay-review system, the shockingly fun Browns, the biggest winners from the NFL weekend, and his read on Arch Manning. 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 and DJ Bean, co-host of the What Chaos Show, talk about Nikita Zadarov's fit with the Maple Leafs and his reputation among former teammates, the transactional prevalence early in this NHL season, if DJ is surprised by the Leafs uneven start, what seems to be the Leafs key to success, if this the best Connor McDavid has ever looked, and how much the hockey buzz from the Olympics has lasted in America. JD then ties together his thoughts on the Leafs goaltending, Gavin McKenna's ice-time, and breaking news that Artur Akhtyamov being recalled from the Marlies. 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 Jim Hiller's bizarre decision to sit Gavin McKenna on the bench for half the game. Later (19:00), JD and Ben discuss the Brewers sweeping the Dodgers and how this Dodgers team will be remembered. The duo also discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting laser eye surgery (33:00). 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 Gavin McKenna's benching and the Maple Leafs narrow 5-4 loss to the Sabres. James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, analyzes Jim Hiller's decision to bench Gavin McKenna for half the game, Hiller's reputation in Los Angeles, how the Leafs could handle Chris Tanev's return, if the Leafs could call up Ben Danford soon, what depth defencemen the Leafs could target in the trade market, and why the Leafs traded for Aatu Raty. JD ends the hour discussing the Seahawks loss to the Broncos. 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 Jared Carrabis, co-host of the Baseball is Dead podcast, analyzes the Dodgers facing elimination, the public battle for salary cap narratives, ratings, lockout, and payroll what if's, and the real Shohei Ohtani pressure. 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 is joined by Ryan Reaves, 16-year NHL forward, his interests post-retirement, dealing with Toronto's media market, what he's going to miss about his playing in the NHL, what he would've done if he didn't take the hockey path, and how he feels about the decline of fighting in the NHL. Marco D'Amico, co-host of The Starr and D'Amico Show, discusses the "we want Larkin" chants in Montreal, if Dylan Larkin would fit in Montreal, and if the NHL could see any splashy trades in November. 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.

Canadian Kevin Pangos, former All-American and 11-year pro, joins JD Bunkis to discuss his decision to retire, his passions for teaching the game, his unique perspective that can help the game move forward, what he's learned from the European game, how the sport has changed at a youth level, his nostalgic battles with Andrew Wiggins, and commitment to Canada Basketball. 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 Bunkis and Sam McKee react to the Maple Leafs' narrow 5-4 loss to the Mammoth. The duo break down their biggest positives and negatives from Toronto's West Coast road trip, talk about the Leafs' biggest room for improvement: their blue line, and lay out what they think about Kirill Marchenko's impact. They also discuss what they are seeing from the Leafs' special teams and what the options for the top power play unit are. 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 Tyler Dunne, founder of Go Long, dive into how good the Buffalo Bills really are, what they are most concerned and satisfied about, how the Super Bowl-favourite Rams now have a losing record, and preview Thursday Night Football between the Seahawks and Broncos. 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 reacts to the Maple Leafs' 6-3 victory over the Avalanche and the injury to Chris Tanev. JD is joined by Adam Ottavino, 15-year MLB pitcher and NBC analyst, to get into what MLB's 2026 postseason has taught us about modern pitching, the best starting pitchers not making it deep into ball games, what's going on with Shohei Ohtani, and the rise of Jose Ramirez. Later (42:00), JD discusses the lack of NHL hockey on Canadian Thanksgiving. 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.

Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX, joins JD to recap Week 5 in the NFL, including the Seahawks’ tough divisional loss to the 49ers, San Francisco’s success to start the season, Jordan Love’s performance, where the Vikings stand, Jayden Daniels’ and the Commanders’ end-of-game blunder, the wild ending in London between the Eagles and Jaguars, and what Marvin Harrison Jr. brings to the Texans. 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 opens the show with his thoughts on the Maple Leafs’ 6-3 win over the Avalanche on Saturday. Shayna Goldman, NHL writer at The Athletic, joins (15:52) to discuss Kirill Marchenko’s impact since joining the Leafs, how encouraging Auston Matthews’ start to the season has been and Gavin McKenna’s quick adjustment to the league. They also touch on the possibility of Connor Hellebuyck going to New York after the Rangers lost Igor Shesterkin for the year. The hour ends with JD’s thoughts on Game 1 of the NLCS. 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.

Scott Turner, long-time NFL offensive coordinator, joins JD Bunkis to analyze the Cowboys' lowly loss to the Buccaneers, Sean Payton getting back to offensive play-calling, how in-game play-calling has evolved, and other Week 5 headlines. The show ends with "What We Missed!" (38:21) 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 any affiliates.

JD and Sportsnet's Sam McKee get into the positives and negatives from the Maple Leafs' 4-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The duo try to make out how good the Leafs are going to be this season, if the Leafs' defense can become trustworthy this season, Auston Matthews' altered game style, their continued impressions of Kirill Marchenko, and the Mitch Marner closure. 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 Jackie Redmond, from the NHL on TNT, get into the new era of the Maple Leafs and the balancing act between winning now, convincing Auston Matthews to stay in Toronto, and the domino effects of player empowerment, trade requests, and no-move clauses. Last, JD and Jackie talk about the evolution of sideline reporting. 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 and James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, the feelings this season playing against the Vegas Golden Knights and what's stood out most through four games of the Maple Leafs season. JD and James discuss the Leafs most important developments of the early season, their upcoming schedule, and what the biggest areas of improvement need to be. The hour ends with JD's thoughts on MLB's divisional series. 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 asks Jason Timpf, host of Hoops Tonight with Jason Timpf, about how the Raptors stack up in the new and deep Eastern Conference. JD and Jason discuss what Kawhi Leonard brings to the Raptors, make sense of Leonard's legacy, compare Leonard to Brandon Ingram, gauge how roster health could impact the Raptors' regular season, and debate who the Raptors third-most important variable is. JD and Jason then get into the Eastern Conference hierarchy and tiers. 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' exciting 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators at Scotiabank Arena. Two-time Stanley Cup champion, Kris Versteeg, and JD chat about Gavin McKenna's breakout game, Jim Hiller dropping McKenna to the third line and blending the lines in the third period, what's stuck out about Hiller's coaching, a vintage Auston Matthews game, and the nuances of defensive responsibility. 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 Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter, talks about the Yankees ugly style of play, if Aaron Boone is suited to continue managing the Yankees, if the White Sox can continue winning with bullpen games, the Dodgers over and under-performing, the velocity era, if the challenge system has been positive for the MLB and other fun storylines. JD and Ben (34:00) then get into what the next stage of Kevin Gausman's career could be, how the timeline of off-season action can go, and who the Jays may target. 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 is joined by Jason Bukala, Sportsnet NHL analyst and founder of the Pro Hockey Group, to dive into Gavin McKenna's first week in the NHL. JD asks Jason what the Maple Leafs can do with their line combinations to support McKenna, why the Leafs second line with McKenna has been quiet, and why McKenna should be moved into the first powerplay unit. JD and Jason (29:00) then get into Easton Cowan's impressive start and Alexander Ovechkin's goal-scoring legacy. JD ends the hour discussing the sudden Atlanta Falcons threat. 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.

Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX, talks about the Bryce Young stock he's buying, the beat down that should change the Jets strategy, how legit the Raiders are, how much blame Jalen Hurts deseves for the Eagles struggles, if the Rams aren't as elite as everyone thought, if Sean Payton could take back the offensive playcalling duties, if Brock Purdy is entering a new class of quarterback, and how cooked the Texans are. 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 is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to debate if sports rivalries will ever be the same in professional sports. Later (29:00), JD and Ben then give the rational and irrational perspectives on Gavin McKenna's first week in the NHL. The duo then shift their focus to their interests in MLB's postseason. 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.

Steven Ruiz, NFL writer with FOX Sports, joins JD to analyze the Week 4 games that matter on the NFL schedule. JD and Steven the shockingly good Cleveland Browns, if the 49ers are a contender, Drake Maye's short and long-term future, the Rams trying to right their ship, and what teams have the highest panic meter this week. The week ends with 'What We Missed!' (33:00) 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 big nights from former Maple Leafs; Joseph Woll, Matthew Knies, and Nick Robertson. Marco D'Amico, co-host of The Starr and D'Amico show, joins JD (6:00) to talk about Montreal's interest in Kirill Marchenko and Matthew Knies, Gary Bettman's comments on no-trade clauses, how player empowerment has evolved in the NHL. Later (22:00), JD asks Marco about the Jets' strategy with Connor Hellebuyck, the Oilers precarious goaltending situation, and Alexander Barkov's injury. 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 Joseph Casciaro, Raptors reporter with theScore, at the start of the Raptors training camp to discuss Kawhi Leonard's drastic personality shift, if Brandon Ingram's partial Achilles tear impacted the trade agreement between the Raptors and Clippers, RJ Barrett's looming free agency, and the different ways the Raptors can figure out an extension or trade for him. JD and Joseph react live to the Raptors (33:00) signing Jamal Shead to a contract extension. The hour 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 and James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, discuss Easton Cowan's off-season, his mental make-up, and how Jim Hiller can find the youngster more ice-time. Then (17:00), JD and James dive deeper into the Maple Leafs lineup combinations, if they've seen enough to make changes, and how Gavin McKenna will be effected up or down the lineup. JD and James chat about Anthony Stolarz (26:00) and if he could surpass Sergei Bobrovsky as the Leafs' number one goaltender, plus, what they think of the Leafs defensive pairings thus far. Finally, JD asks James about the Leafs putting Max Domi and Dakota Joshua on long-term injury reserve and the Leafs monitoring the league for a defensemen. JD ends the hour reacting to MLB's Wild Card series (47:00). 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.

Jason Demers, 13-year NHL veteran and NHL Network analyst, joins JD Bunkis to discuss if chemistry is overrated, how long it typically takes defensemen to gel, which defensive pairings he likes on the Maple Leafs, Morgan Rielly's fit, if he'd like to see Gavin McKenna on a line with Auston Matthews, and what this season could look like for Matthew Schaefer. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' (37:40) 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 Sam McKee, Real Kyper and Bourne producer and host, get into their first Maple Leafs first impressions (a.k.a. overreactions). JD and Sam talk about Kirill Marchenko's instant impact, what spooked them most about Darren Raddysh's debut, their feelings seeing Morgan Rielly back in a Leafs sweater, Gavin McKenna's quiet debut, Nick Paul's play and the bottom six, Jack Roslovic's place on the first line, and Easton Cowan's impressive home opener. JD closes the hour touching on the start of the MLB playoffs (48:00). 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.

Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins JD in-studio to chop it up about what the Maple Leafs will miss about Matthew Knies and how good Kirill Marchenko can be in Toronto. The duo then discuss Gavin McKenna's demeanor, mentality and closest comparisons among current NHL forwards, before getting into the Leafs line combinations they'd like to see or think will be deployed. JD and Colby then close the hour discussing pressure points from around 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 reacts to the Maple Leafs trading Matthew Knies for Kirill Marchenko. JD asks Aaron Portzline, senior writer for The Athletic covering the Blue Jackets, about what Marchenko is going to bring to Toronto, what obstacles Marchenko could face, and Marchenko's personality fit in Toronto. JD ends the hour discussing JJ McCarthy, the newest member of the New York Giants. 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 Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX and former NFL quarterback (0:00), to discuss the Chargers being winless through three games, level of concern with Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, how legit are the Raiders, and the Commanders Week 3 upset over the Seahawks. Afterwards, JD reacts to Kawhi Leonard's remarks at Raptors media day during "What We Missed" (32:44). 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 (0:00), share their takeaways from the Toronto Blue Jays' season, the overall fan sentiment entering the offseason, and what lessons the front office can apply towards assembling the 2027 roster. Then, the guys discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s apology for recent comments, before wrapping with "Old News" (35:37). 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 opens the show with his thoughts on the Leafs' bonding trip in Arizona this weekend before being joined by Sportsnet's Luke Fox (6:32). Together they discuss Steven Lorentz being waived yesterday, first impressions on Gavin McKenna, Auston Matthews' health entering the year and how Jim Hiller's system could reinvigorate Matthews' offensive game. Afterwards, JD and the producers wrap with “What We Missed” (35:31). 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 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s quotes from a recent interview regarding his contract and his follow up comments after the Toronto Blue Jays' double-header against the Baltimore Orioles (0:00). Then, JD is joined by Anthony Petrielli from Maple Leafs Hot Stove (16:57) to discuss Gavin McKenna's impressive preseason outing, whether he requires protection as a rookie, how the Leafs compare to other playoff hopeful teams in the Atlantic Division, lineup machinations and whether Nicholas Paul is the lynchpin to the third line's success. 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 Jim Bowden, MLB Insider (4:00), who shares his perspective on the Toronto Blue Jays' offensive struggles, whether the lineup fix for 2027 starts with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or the bats surrounding him, the Blue Jays' ability and willingness to add through trade opposed to free agency, and where labour talks stand between MLB and the MLBPA ahead of the postseason. Afterwards, JD discusses Kawhi Leonard's reported two-year extension with the Toronto Raptors and whether he took an impactful discount (43:42). 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 and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show (0:00), discuss the Toronto Blue Jays' fading playoff chances, concerns with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s performance beyond 2026, how aggressive the front office should approach this off-season, and potential pathways to improving the roster over the winter. Then, JD and Ben wrap up the show with "Old News" (42:32). 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 reviewing the Toronto Blue Jays' disappointing weekend series in Texas before being joined by Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (12:35). Together, they discuss the Blue Jays' wilting playoff chances, level of concern with Dylan Cease's shoulder injury, whether the benefits outweighed the risks involved with keeping Cease in the rotation during September, and an early look at offseason priorities for the front office. Afterwards, JD shares his takeaways from Week 2 in the NFL and first impressions from Leafs preseason action (43:15). 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 shares his thoughts on the importance of the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series in Texas and Kawhi Leonard's anticipated two-year extension with the Toronto Raptors (0:00). Then Carmen Vitali, analyst at Fox Sports Radio (16:15), joins the show to review Josh Allen's vintage performance in the Buffalo Bills' first win at new Highmark Stadium, overreactions from Week 1 in the NFL that might hold true, and which teams are already feeling urgency to win this upcoming weekend. Afterwards JD and the producers wrap with "What We Missed" (42:50). 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 the level of anticipation and intrigue ahead of this Leafs season compared to recent years. Then, JD is joined by James Mirtle, Senior Writer at The Athletic (8:18), to preview Toronto Maple Leafs training camp storylines including Auston Matthews' health, expectations for Jim Hiller's management of Gavin McKenna, how the lines at forward could shake out, and Darren Raddysh's eventual defensive partner. Afterwards, JD and the producers wrap with "What We Missed" (44:28). 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 Matthew Knies, Toronto Maple Leafs forward (3:09), to discuss what he learned from last years adversity on a team and personal level, what he focused on over the offseason, his first impressions on Gavin McKenna, and how he dealt with the noise of trade rumours this summer. Afterwards, JD and Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper & Bourne (21:05) chat about the surge in 8-year deals signed ahead of NHL training camps and pressure points across the league including Auston Matthews' future, sky-high expectations surrounding the Montreal Canadiens, and Connor McDavid entering his thirties in search of his first Stanley Cup. 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 Blue Jays' series opening 6-5 loss to the Detroit Tigers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s let down performance, and John Schneider's decision to forego warming up a bullpen arm while Jose Soriano entered the seventh frame (0:00). Then, JD is joined by Es Baraheni, co-host of The NBA Daily Podcast at The Athletic (20:50), together they discuss the Kawhi Leonard trade getting over the finish line, whether there's any questions with the roster fit for the Toronto Raptors, and where Toronto belongs amongst the contender rankings. Afterwards, JD shares his perspective on the Kansas City Chiefs' upset win over the Denver Broncos (47:32). 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 (0:00), discuss the collective sigh of relief from the Toronto Blue Jays' fanbase following Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first home run of the season at the Rogers Centre, his curtain call moment, their concern level with Dylan Cease's diminished velocity, and whether Ernie Clement's role as an everyday player could be in question beyond this year. Afterwards, JD shares his overreactions from Week 1 in the NFL before wrapping up with "Old News" (39:03). 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 (0:00) discussing the San Francisco 49ers upset win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia, how much blame can be attributed the Rams' last-minute travel plans, sluggish performances from veterans including Matthew Stafford and Myles Garrett, and question marks surrounding the 49ers' durability. Then, JD shares his thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays entering the weekend (17:52), the mounting pressure on Toronto to make the postseason, and the Blue Jays' path to roster improvement in 2027. Afterwards, JD shares his favourite picks for the rest of Week 1 in the NFL before hitting "What We Missed" with the producers (30:10). 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 Seattle Seahawks' 13-10 win over the New England Patriots in the NFL season opener, before sharing his thoughts on how the Blue Jays' series loss to the Athletics could haunt them in the playoff race. Then, JD is joined by Jackie Redmond, NHL Reporter on TNT (15:50), to discuss the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers taking drastically different approaches to travel ahead of their matchup in Australia, Gavin McKenna training with Mitch Marner and other NHLers in Muskoka, and the NHL storylines they're most looking forward ahead of training camp. 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 Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show (0:00), to discuss the Blue Jays' bounce back win to even their series against the Athletics, the pressure on Toronto to make the playoffs, and Anthony Santander beginning his injury rehab assignment. Afterwards, JD and Ben reflect on the immediate impact Brett Bateman has brought to the Jays' lineup and which aspects of his game are sustainable beyond 2026, before concluding the show with "Old News" (34:50). 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 vacation and shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays' continued chase for a postseason berth before discussing the punishment handed down by the NBA down to the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. Then, JD is joined by Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (16:01) to react to Toronto's let-down performance in their series opener against the Athletics, how John Schneider will manage the starting rotation down the stretch, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tinkering with his batting mechanics, and the case for Brett Bateman providing more impact on the Blue Jays than Kevin Gausman could have to end the season. 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 Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show (0:00), to discuss Kyle Tucker's struggles with the Los Angeles Dodgers, if there would be a different level of fan pressure had he signed in Toronto, and sizing up the Tampa Bay Rays ahead of their three game series with the Blue Jays. Then, JD and Ben react to the initial findings from the NBA's investigation of Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard (34:06) before wrapping the show with "Old News" (47:09). 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 Blue Jays' series victory over the New York Yankees before being joined by Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (9:41) to discuss Toronto's sudden turnaround, their continued reliance on great pitching and defence, contributions from depth pieces, and how sustainable the Jays' success is without an offensive resurgence. Then, JD shares his perspective on Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love's high-ankle sprain (47:34). 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 shares his perspective on the post-deadline vibe shift in the Blue Jays' clubhouse and fan atmosphere at the Rogers Centre. Then, Eric Sogard, former MLB infielder and Blue Jay joins the show (11:42) to discuss his short but memorable tenure in Toronto, playing alongside rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his involvement with youth development at PRO5 Baseball Academy, and his work with the Czechia national team. Lastly, JD and the producers go through "What We Missed" (39:40). 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 Blue Jays' third straight victory over the Red Sox, bringing Toronto within 1.5 games of a Wild Card spot. Then, James Palmer, NFL Insider at Bleacher Report, joins the show (5:33) to discuss NFL training camp storylines including, the Seattle Seahawks looking to repeat with a reshaped roster and coaching staff, concerns with the Kansas City Chiefs' offensive support around Patrick Mahomes, whether now is the right time for the Minnesota Vikings to move on from J.J. McCarthy, and first impressions from the Buffalo Bills under Joe Brady. Afterwards, JD and the producers go through "What We Missed" (40:26). 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 Jeff Blair, co-host of Blair & Barker and Jays Talk (0:00) to put Dylan Cease's Cy Young calibre campaign into perspective across Jays' history, discuss how coming so close to a World Series last year has affected the Jays in 2026, and debate Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s outlook this season. Then, JD and the producers go through "What We Missed" (40:21). 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 any affiliates.

JD and Blake Murphy, host of Jays Talk Plus (0:00), share their reaction to the bizarre rulebook review that prompted a 17-minute delay in the seventh inning of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Red Sox, and JD's perspective on the unique experience of being in the ballpark during the incident. Then, JD and Blake parse through what's behind the Jays' recent turnaround before pivoting to a discussion on the flaws with Wins-Above-Replacement as a catch-all stat in 2026. They wrap up the show chatting about the level of fatigue with the NBA's ongoing investigation of the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard (42:31). 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 (0:00), discuss the Blue Jays showing signs of life after another series win over the weekend, how well Toronto threaded the needle between buying and selling at last week's trade deadline, how the weak American League competition has made for meaningful Jays baseball in August, and the argument for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. still being able to save the Jays' postseason hopes with a hot stretch to close out the year. Afterwards, JD and Ben close out the show with "Old News" (43:19). 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 details his night at the Argos game, before giving his thoughts on the Blue Jays' heartbreaking loss in extra innings to the Cubs, and the dominance from Dylan Cease over the last two months. Adam Ottavino, host of the Baseball & Coffee podcast, joins JD to continue the conversation around Cease, and his development over his career and throughout this season, before getting into the Jose Soriano's arsenal ahead of his first start Blue Jays start against the Phillies, and the ability of Spencer Miles to fill in both in the bullpen and in the rotation. After the break, JD and Brandon go through "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 off the top by Sportsnet producer and host, Sam McKee, to discuss the Blue Jays' big week and Kevin Gausman's place amongst the Mount Rushmore of athletes that have left Toronto, including former Leafs, Raptors, and Blue Jays. Later, JD reacts to the Blue Jays win in extra-innings against the Astros to take their third consecutive series, before JD and producer Brandon hit on Gausman's comments about Chicago, and get to "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 Blue Jays' loss to the Astros, along with the apparent injuries to Trey Yesavage and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. coming out of the trade deadline. Then, Bomani Jones, Emmy Award winning host of The Right Time with Bomani Jones, joins JD to chat about the Dodgers and the potential for a salary cap in Major League Baseball, the situation around the Portland Trail Blazers and how it relates to the big picture in sports, and the news around the Kawhi Leonard investigation, before getting into the continued player movement in the NBA. After the break, JD and the producers go through "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 Blue Jays busy trade deadline and gives his thoughts on the moves, before bringing in Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith to break down all the action. They get into the Jays' plan to acquire controllable starting pitchers, the tough decision to trade away veteran players Jeff Hoffman and Daulton Varsho, and how the returning pieces can help the team moving forward. Then, JD and Ben discuss the Kevin Gausman deal and the potential to bring him back as a free agent this offseason, before digging into the moves to bring in pitchers Jose Soriano from the Angels and Spencer Arrighetti from the Astros, and the plans to improve the lineup in the offseason amidst their horrific offensive season. After the break, JD revisits some of the Blue Jays smaller moves, before Chris joins for '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 Blue Jays trading Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs, and looks ahead to what the Jays need to do before Monday's trade deadline. He looks back at this era of the Blue Jays potentially coming to an end, how we've gotten here this season, and what the plans should be moving forward. Geoff Pontes of Baseball America joins the show to further discuss the trade, the two prospects coming back in return, and the needs that the Blue Jays should be looking to fill through the farm system. Then, JD reacts live to the Blue Jays acquiring starting pitcher Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for one of their top prospects in shortstop Arjun Nimmala. Later, JD takes a look at the Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring Tarik Skubal and the effects it could have on Major League Baseball’s future, including a potential salary cap. 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 ponders the Blue Jays strategy as the trade deadline and what he thinks the team should be prioritize. Gavin McKenna, Toronto Maple Leafs No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, joins (6:00) JD to chat about John Chayaka’s trip to the Yukon, what it’s like being the number one overall pick coming from a small community, and how his summer in Toronto has been. After the break (17:00), JD is joined by Jared Carrabis, co-host of the Baseball is Dead podcast, to chat about how the Red Sox turnaround was salt in the wound for Jays fans, how the Jays have ended up where they are, which team has the most pressure at the deadline, and where Tarik Skubal will end up. 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 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.

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 do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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.

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.

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 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 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 do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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 their investigation, and how this could ultimately benefit the Raptors. The week 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 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.

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 favourites to land Tarik Skubal in a trade.  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 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 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 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 any affiliates.

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 & Media or any affiliates.

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 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 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. 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 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 not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

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.

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 Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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 necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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.

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 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 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 and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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 preview of Canada’s second game versus Qatar. 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.