The JD Bunkis Podcast

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 destinations. 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 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 specifically Max Scherzer, Brandon Valenzuela's future, and potential trade candidates ahead of the trade deadline. After the break, JD returns to the NBA and discusses the state of New York City as the Finals continue. 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 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 Ray shares his opinion on who the Leafs should take with the No. 1 pick. After the break, JD shares his thoughts on Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Victor Wembanyama's ability to wreck the game, and the pressure the Knicks now face ahead of Game 4. 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' 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 with thoughts on tonight's Game 3 as the Knicks host the Spurs in their first home Finals game in 27 years. 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 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 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, 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.

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

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

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.

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 of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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 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 evaluates the new Blue Jays who are producing more for the team; Jesus Sanchez, Spencer Miles, and Yohendrick Pinango. JD questions how the roster and position construct of the Blue Jays can shift with the return of Addison Barger. Later (17:00), JD questions if this era of the Colorado Avalanche has become underwhelming and gives his takeaways from the Oklahoma City Thunder's game 5 win. 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 Ben Ennis, The FAN Morning Show, discuss sports fandom in the 90's before turning their attention to Maple Leafs fans' feelings as the Vegas Golden Knights and Montreal Canadiens inch closer to the Stanley Cup Final. Later, JD and Ben debate what societal factors have impacted modern rivalries in sports, discuss the "Enhanced Games" and the Blue Jays chances of coming back to win the division.  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 Vegas Golden Knights taking a commanding 3-0 series lead. Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter, discusses the minor injuries to Dylan Cease and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., if Patrick Corbin is the Jays MVP so far this season, which position player will be sent down with the nearing returns of Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes, Alejandro Kirk's next steps to returning, what Guerrero Jr.'s expectations were this season, what José Berríos' Tommy John surgery means for the future of the Jays rotation, and if the Jays are serious contenders to trade or sign for Tarik Skubal. 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 Blue Jays splitting their four game series against the New York Yankees. JD then switches gears to the Stanley Cup Playoffs and wonders if you can be really be a Maple Leafs fan if you are rooting for Mitch Marner or the Montreal Canadiens. Jackie Redmond of the NHL on TNT gets into the weird fan dynamic for Leafs Nation right now, why the revisionist history about Marner's tenure in Toronto is wrong, and how Auston Matthews may feel about seeing his former linemate making a potential cup run.  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 Vegas Golden Knights taking home ice-advantage in the Western Conference Finals. Dan Shulman,  Blue Jays play-by-play voice, joins JD (7:00) to get into last night's Blue Jays must-win victory over the New York Yankees. They discuss  when the Jays grace period is over, Trey Yesavage's stabilizing impact, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extended slump and mental fortitude. 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 Blue Jays fall in the American League standings after another loss to the Yankees in the Bronx. James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, gives an inside look at the Maple Leafs continued off-season turnover. JD asks James if fan or player pressure impacted the firing of Craig Berube, what played into the departure of Brandon Pridham, if the likelihood of Auston Matthews leaving Toronto has increased, and the trade value and interest of Matthew Knies. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers' historic collapse.  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 touches on the Maple Leafs letting go of Craig Berube and the Blue Jays losing to the Yankees, before bringing on Sportsnet NHL analyst, Luke Gazdic, to dive into the Stanley Cup Playoffs. JD and Luke break down the Montreal Canadiens' Game 7 win over the Buffalo Sabres, look forward to Montreal's matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, and share their curiosities about the Western Conference Final. The show ends with a longer-version of 'What We Missed' including; Victor Wembanyama outshining the two-time MVP,  the Cleveland Cavaliers making the conference finals, the PGA Championships, and the NHL's harsh penalty to the Vegas Golden Knights.  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.

Cliff Floyd, MLB Network analyst and World Series Champion, joins JD to discuss what about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season has surprised him the most, how the Blue Jays supporting cast has helped or hurt Vladdy, how confidence can impact plate appearances, what adjustment's Vladdy can make it, and the performances of Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer. 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 Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show,  discuss Chandler Simpson and athletes that drive you crazy when they play against your team, how they view morality in sports differently, plus Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles and what type of hitter he really is.  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 Mitch Marner's playoff performance with the Vegas Golden Knights and the surrounding Toronto discourse. Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins to have the Marner conversation, discuss the Montreal Canadiens' fandom and their chances at a deep Stanley Cup run, and share if he thinks the Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. Later, Blake Murphy and Producer Armen join JD to get into the NBA's draft lottery results.  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 loaded sports weekend and starts by expanding on the Blue Jays with Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter. JD asks Ben which Jays pitcher could be joining the starting rotation, what the Jays could do next with a struggling Eric Lauer, what the return of Addison Barger was a reminder of, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued struggles, what went into the Jays decision to send down Yohendrick Pinango to the minors, who are the most exciting Jays players to currently watch, and how active the Jays front office will be in the trade market. JD then touches on the viewing experience of Anthony Edwards versus Victor Wembanyama.  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.

Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet hockey analyst, joins JD to discuss the difference between a mock draft and a draft ranking, how close or far apart the prospective 2026 NHL lottery picks are, Gavin McKenna's strengths and potential weaknesses, McKenna opting out of competing at the World Championship with Team Canada, and how he stacks the defensemen that will be selected at the top of the NHL draft. 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 gives his opinion on the heated debate about the Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna with the first overall draft pick. Kevin Barker, from Blair and Barker, analyzes what's wrong with the Blue Jays offence, what they can get from the return from Addison Barger, when the AL standings start to matter, why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is struggling to slug, and how the season could go if he doesn't drastically improve. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder's tough watch.  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.

James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, analyzes how he would utilize the first overall pick, the biggest dominos from winning the draft lottery, what direction the front office may lean, what the Leafs roster needs to be competitive again, and the biggest challenges this off-season for John Chayka. JD and Producer Armen end the show discussing Bobby Webster's end-of-season media availability.  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, banter about sports superstitions, the most exciting moments as a sports fan, and where winning the draft lottery ranks among them. Later, the duo debate if they're concerned about the Blue Jays' recent slump and insert their recent old guy gripes.  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.

Bobby Marks, ESPN NBA front office insider, breaks down the Raptors off-season prerogatives, including Jakob Poeltl's contract and what it would take for the Raptors to get off it, what move the Raptors should prioritize this summer, and what Brandon Ingram's value is in the market. 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 winning the NHL's Draft Lottery and starts to think about what the Maple Leafs may do with the first overall pick. Jason Bukala (9:00), Sportsnet hockey analyst and former Director of Amateur Scouting for the Florida Panthers, breaks down why he thinks the Maple Leafs should use their first overall pick to select Ivar Stenberg over Gavin McKenna. JD also asks Jason about where the draft drops off, if trading down is a viable option for the Leafs, and his mock draft for the rest of the lottery picks, and what Mark Leach, the Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting, covets most. Sam McKee (35:30) of Leafs Talk and Real Kyper and Bourne talks about the mood shift in Leafs nation after winning the draft lottery and who they think the Leafs should select.  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 Blue Jays reporter, discuss what happened between John Schneider and Tyler Heineman, the catcher battle between Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela, multiple positive injury updates for the Jays lineup, new expectations for Kazuma Okamoto, what to do if José Berríos continues to struggle in the minor leagues, and Tarik Skubal needing surgery. 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 introduction of John Chayka and Mats Sundin as the Toronto Maple Leafs front office leadership and outlines how there is a lot of catching up to do for the organization. JD asks Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, what his biggest takeaway was from interviewing Chayka and Sundin, how he feels about Craig Berube's job security, what to make of Sundin's vague job title, the perspective of a Maple Leafs alumni, how quickly Chayka can earn his stripes, and about Morgan Reilly's fit.  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 Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, talk about the Montreal Canadiens persevering in Game 7 despite only having nine shots on goal, what the next move could be for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's comments after being eliminated, and how much longer they think McDavid will give the Edmonton Oilers. 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 hiring John Chayka and Mats Sundin to lead their new front office. JD then gets into the Raptors' Game 7 loss and what matters most moving forward. JD and Joseph Casciaro, Raptors reporter and NBA content lead at theScore, talk about (10:00) the most intriguing takeaway from the series, the added urgency to build a competitive team around Scottie Barnes, which Raptors aren't seamless fits on the roster, the complicated RJ Barrett contract, and what Darko Rajaković proved in the playoffs.  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 Blue Jays reporter, talk about if it's fair to criticize Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of home runs despite his impactful season, George Springer and Addison Barger's return to the lineup, making sense of Alejandro Kirk's return timetable, Eric Lauer having the worst Stuff+ among qualified MLB pitchers, and how baseball is viewing expansion before a potential lockout. 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 Connor McDavid and Nikola Jokic being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs and discusses the modern realities of parody in the NHL and NBA with producer Armen. Michael Soroka, Team Canada and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, joins JD to chat about his All-Star calibre season, the nuances of making in-season tweaks, the impact of the Trajekt machine, what made him want to pitch for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, and advice he'd give to young baseball players. 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 James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, about the Maple Leafs search to hire a new president of hockey operations or a general manager. JD and James discuss what Matt Sundin's influence could be on the front office, John Chayka's history as a front office executive, how Tie and Max Domi's relationship with Chayka may affect decisions, and try to see a future where the Leafs can compete with the upstart Montreal Canadiens.  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 positive and negatives from the Raptors Game 5 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Justin Termine, host of NBA Today on SiriusXM, shares if he feels the Raptors fumbled the game or if the Cavaliers took it, how Brandon Ingram's poor play has affected the series, the legacy narrative surrounding Nikola Jokic, and which Eastern Conference team has the most pressure. JD ends the hour evaluating the Blue Jays series win over the Boston Red Sox.  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 Shayna Goldman, national NHL writer at The Athletic, about which team she trusts more to complete a series comeback down 3-1, how the playoff results will affect the Pittsburgh Penguins' future, if feelings about the playoff format has shifted, and a Connor McDavid theory. 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 Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, discuss the difference between small and big market sports cities, reaons for Raptors optimism, the return of Trey Yesavage, how they think the Blue Jays closing role will be handled, and complicated Dylan Cease feelings.  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 Matthew Barnaby, 14-year NHL forward, analyze Sidney Crosby's and Connor McDavid's chances of making a comeback in their first round series, what possibilities McDavid's competitive hunger could lead to, if the Anaheim Ducks or Montreal Canadiens have a better chance of making a deep playoff run, what he thinks the Buffalo Sabres' ceiling could be, and Brady Tkachuk's standing in Ottawa. 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 Jared Carrabis, co-host of the Baseball is Dead podcast, get into the Dylan Cease experience thus far with the Blue Jays, before JD asks Jared about the tumultuous times for the Boston Red Sox. Jared breaks down the hatred for Red Sox owner John Henry, how the organization got to this point, and if the conversations about a lockout have shifted. JD closes the hour discusses what it's like seeing a pitching duel in-person.  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.

Steve Jones, co-host of The Dunker Spot, joins JD to discuss how Darko Rajaković has adjusted as the series has gone along, the shift that comes with Scottie Barnes being the best player in the series, if there is a tactical adjustment the Cavaliers can make, what makes Collin Murray-Boyles special, what NBA teams have the most pressure left, and Nikola Jokic's chances of climbing back from a 3-1 deficit. The show wraps up 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 Raptors tying up their first-round series 2-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shi Davidi, MLB columnist and Sportsnet Jays reporter, talks about Jeff Hoffman's ousting as the closer, the plan with Trey Yesavage this week, how Kazuma Okamoto is finding himself, and the team's current chemistry. JD closes the hour talking about the most exciting Stanley Cup playoff 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.