The JD Bunkis Podcast

Episodes

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  Big Stretch Big Questions for the Raptors w/ Es Baraheni 10.11.2026 46m

  JD and Es Baraheni, NBA host at The Athletic, discuss Jakob Poeltl's strong play of late, if the Raptors would pair Poeltl with Jamal Shead more often, how important Shead is to the Raptors success this season, why the Raptors' defence has been inconsistent, and Jaylen Brown's return to Boston. The show ends with discussion about the NFL deadline. 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.
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  Leafs Goalies by the Numbers w/ Kevin Woodley + the Analytics Tipping Point w/ Ben Ennis 10.11.2026 51m

  JD Bunkis is joined by Kevin Woodley, analyst for inGoal Magazine, to break down Sergei Bobrovsky's start with the Maple Leafs as compared to his past seasons and if there's a real case for sitting Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg. Later, Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, continue the conversation around the New Jersey Devils' cowardly decision to not start Hellebuyck in his return to Winnipeg and debate if analytics have gone too far in sports. 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.
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  NFL Week 9 Takeaways w/ Brady Quinn 09.11.2026 47m

  Brady Quinn, NFL on FOX analyst, joins JD Bunkis to break down what NFL rule has room for improvement, what the most important game result of the year was, if Shedeur Sanders should remain the Browns starting quarterback, if the Broncos are true Super Bowl contenders, and who else is in the mix for the Lombardi Trophy. 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.
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  Leafs Weekend Worries + Hellebuyck Duck w/ Sam McKee 09.11.2026 50m

  JD and Sportsnet's Sam McKee get into a brutal weekend for the Maple Leafs. JD and Sam talk about how quickly the "refreshed" feeling of the new season has worn off, Jim Hiller's volatile handling of Gavin McKenna, why William Nylander's play has fallen off, what to make of Sergei Bobrovsky, how the Canadiens fans took over in Toronto on Saturday, and the New Jersey Devils' decision to sit Connor Hellebuyck for their game in Winnipeg. 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.
• 
  Liam Hicks + The NBA's Fan Problem 06.11.2026 45m

  JD is joined by Liam Hicks, Tampa Bay Rays catcher and fourth Canadian to hit a home run in the World Series, to get into his career and getting to the Rays, wanting to be a hockey goalie growing up, the transferable skills from hockey to baseball, competing for Canada in the World Baseball Classic, and being a Maple Leafs fan. The show ends with "What We Missed" (32:50). 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.
• 
  Jays Target Trade w/ Arden Zwelling 06.11.2026 52m

  JD identifies the points of interest for the Maple Leafs during their busy weekend. Arden Zwelling, Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter, talks about his article on Sportsnet.ca discussing five different Blue Jays targets. Arden lays out why he chose those trade targets for the Jays and what it would take for Toronto to land CJ Abrams, Steven Kwan, and the rest of the potential targets. JD and Arden also discuss the Jays bullpen situation. 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 Raptors Size Problem and Concern Level w/ Michael Grange 05.11.2026 43m

  Sportsnet's senior NBA writer, Michael Grange, joins JD to get into Nikola Jokic's post-game comments about the officiating and Scottie Barnes, and Toronto's lack of size and the domino effects. Later, JD and Grange get into the Raptors' loss to the Nuggets and the level of concern with the team's defense. 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.
• 
  Leafs Transaction Constraints and What They Could Do About It w/ James Mirtle 05.11.2026 54m

  JD reacts to the Raptors ugly loss to the Nuggets in Denver. James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, joins JD to discuss the Leafs not being able to claim Emil Andrae off waivers, if the Leafs would consider trading for Nikita Kucherov, how close John Tavares is to returning and what they think of Tavares on the wing, and the team's inconsistent second and third lines. Next (30:00), JD and James get into if the William Nylander experience has been different this season and Hockey Canada's new and big push to fix the national goaltending lows. 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.
• 
  A Week Before the NFL Trade Deadline w/ James Palmer 04.11.2026 48m

  James Palmer, NFL insider with Prime, joins JD ahead of the NFL trade deadline to give his insight on how desperate the Seahawks are for offense, which teams could be a surprise seller, how the market impacts franchise decisions, which quarterbacks are most likely to be moved. Afterwards, JD and the producers wrap the show with "What We Missed" (28:45). 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.
• 
  Shifting Leafs Expectations w/ Sam McKee 04.11.2026 49m

  JD and Sportsnet's Sam McKee get into the Leafs' loss to the Mammoth. The duo discuss the positive and negative signs they've seen from the team, Jim Hiller's decision-making, how Darren Raddysh and the blue line is performing, and more. 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.
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  Jays Outfield Upgrades and the Looming Lockout w/ Ben Ennis 03.11.2026 47m

  JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, banter about the Blue Jays declining Myles Straw's $8 million dollar club option, how the Jays outfield positions could play out, the Jays free agency chases, and how the looming potential lockout. The hour ends with 'old news'. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necesarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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  Raptors Red Flags w/ Joseph Casciaro 03.11.2026 51m

  JD reacts to the Maple Leafs' decision to start Sergei Bobrovsky against the Mammoth, before moving on to the Raptors. JD and theScore's Joseph Casciaro (6:00) get into the positive and negative takeaways from the Raptors back-to-back in Los Angeles. The duo discuss what the Raptors need to do to win games without Kawhi Leonard, Darko Rajakovic's substitution patterns, and if Kawhi Leonard not being on the bench matters. JD closes the hour propping up Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.  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.
• 
  NFL Contenders and Pretenders w/ Brady Quinn 02.11.2026 47m

  Brady Quinn, NFL on FOX analyst and former NFL quarterback, breaks down Lamar Jackson's getting injured (again) and how the Ravens may react, if the Vikings could turn to Carson Wentz or be in the quarterback trade market, if the Steelers deserve more respect than they're getting, how good Bo Nix and the Broncos really are, the Monday Night Football matchup and more from Week 8. Then, JD and the producers wrap with "What We Missed" (42:55). 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.
• 
  Why There’s No Leafs Goalie Controversy... Yet + Hiller’s System, Nylander Standard w/ Justin Bourne 02.11.2026 51m

  JD reacts to the Maple Leafs' win over the Canucks in Vancouver and Sergei Bobrovsky's uneven start to the season. Justin Bourne, from Real Kyper and Bourne, analyzes (6:00) Bobrovsky's performance with the Leafs, Jim Hiller's system implementation, Hiller's deployment of McKenna, William Nylander's woeful defense, and Nikita Kucherov's trade request. JD touches on the Raptors' disappointing weekend to close the hour (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.
• 
  Jordan Poyer on the Bills Defensive Woes and NFL Week 8 Matchups that Matter 30.10.2026 48m

  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.
• 
  How Busy the Jays Will Be Ahead of the Lockout w/ Ben Nicholson-Smith 30.10.2026 50m

  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.
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  The RJ Barrett Conundrum, Kawhi & Injury Theories w/ Matt Bonner 29.10.2026 46m

  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.
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  Bob-Prob's and the McKenna Bar w/ Jackie Redmond 29.10.2026 51m

  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.
• 
  The Leafs Tagging Problem, The Atlantic Beast + Around the NHL w/ Marco D'Amico 28.10.2026 48m

  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.
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  Kawhi Concern, the NBA Injury Mystery + The World Series Win That's Already Happened 28.10.2026 50m

  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.