The FAN Morning Show

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning welcome Maple Leaf notebook author Anthony Petrielli to discuss the Leafs winning the lottery. They explore whether the team should target their biggest need or the best player available, debating between Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg. They also discuss potential trade packages for the first overall pick, Craig Berube’s coaching future, and Auston Matthews' reported unhappiness. Later, ESPN's Greg Wyshynski (25:44) shares insights from the lottery and suggests who the Leafs should draft, while addressing conspiracy theories about the process. The episode wraps up with reflections on how the first overall pick impacts Matthews' future in Toronto. 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.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open the second hour chatting with NHL draft analyst Sam Cosentino. They break down the Maple Leafs winning the first overall pick, the top prospects in the class including Gavin McKenna and Ivar Stenberg, and consider whether Toronto should draft, trade back, or target defensive talent. They also take time to examine McKenna’s readiness for the Toronto spotlight. Later, MLB and NHL Network’s Jon Morosi (25:37) joins to share his perspective on the Leafs’ pick. He assess McKenna’s development, competition level, and potential as a top selection, before the hour wraps with a discussion about Tarik Skubal’s surgery and its implications for him and the Tigers. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open Wednesday by celebrating the Maple Leafs' first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft! They discuss how the pick could impact the team’s direction, whether to keep or trade the pick, what kind of return would justify moving it, and potential draft options like Gavin McKenna or Ivar Stenberg. How will the decision affect Auston Matthews’ future? After the break, they shift to the Blue Jays’ continued struggles in Tampa Bay following yesterday's 4-3 loss. They touch on Brandon Valenzuela’s performance, the team’s use of challenges, the importance of Alejandro Kirk’s return, and Kazuma Okamoto’s impressive adjustments and Rookie of the Year potential. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning wrap up Tuesday morning with NHL insider Frank Seravalli. They discuss perceptions around a rigged draft lottery and the Leafs hiring Mats Sundin and John Chayka. Was the recruitment process genuine? How damaged is Chayka's reputation after his time in Arizona, and can he regain trust in the league? The conversation touches on parallels with Kyle Dubas’s hiring. After the break, Blue Jays commentator Joe Siddall (25:54) joins to explore the team's struggles in Tampa Bay and the Rays' success despite low spending. They also discuss Vladdy's power, the status of Tyler Heineman, and the state of the AL East. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open the second hour by welcoming Gord Stellick, former Maple Leafs GM and friend of the show! They discuss Toronto's new front office, the team’s direction and how Mats Sundin fits into the equation. They also touch on John Chayka’s second chance, how his past experience and age may influence his approach, and lessons from Stellick’s own time as a young GM. The conversation wraps with thoughts on the importance of the draft lottery for the Leafs’ future. After the break (28:00), Ben and Brent examine the odds of the Leafs keeping their first-round pick and run their own mock lottery! They also look at the overall strength of the draft, whether a high pick could contribute immediately, the team’s biggest needs particularly on defence, and the speculation surrounding Auston Matthews’ future. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off Tuesday with thoughts on yesterday's introduction of the new Toronto Maple Leafs leadership duo of John Chayka and Mats Sundin. They discuss their takeaways from the press conference, overall confidence in the team’s direction, the structure of responsibilities, and what Sundin’s role means for both the franchise and his legacy. They also discuss the outlook for Craig Berube behind the bench. Later, they shift to the Toronto Blue Jays 5-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. The boys examine the team’s ongoing struggles at Tropicana Field, the roster's inconsistent offense with runners in scoring position, and whether it’s time to be concerned about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s power numbers, before weighing the potential impact of certain players returning from 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.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning wrap up Monday morning with former Cavaliers coach and Team Canada consultant David Blatt. They discuss the Raptors' competitiveness, injury impacts, and confidence going forward. Blatt shares his thoughts on Darko Rajaković’s impressive job this season and his former player LeBron James's longevity in the game. Next, the duo dives into the Leafs' front office announcement, expectations for the press conference, and what they want to hear from John Chayka. They then welcome Sportsnet Raptors reporter Michael Grange (25:22) to evaluate the Raptors' season, focusing on positives and lessons learned. They discuss Scottie Barnes's potential, Brandon Ingram's future, and continuity vs. change for the team. Key questions include the future for Collin Murray-Boyles and Jakob Poeltl, and the ceiling for CMB. 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.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open the second hour by reacting to the Maple Leafs’ announcement of a new front office tandem featuring Mats Sundin and John Chayka. They break down how the partnership might function and what it signals for the team’s direction, before touching on the Montreal Canadiens advancing in the Stanley Cup Playoffs despite managing just nine shots. Later, Sportsnet's Luke Fox joins the show to share insights on the Leafs hires, including the prior connection between Sundin and Chayka, Chayka’s track record with the Arizona Coyotes, and Sundin’s return to a front office role. He also weighs in on the team’s roster outlook, potential changes, and what could come next behind the bench. The hour wraps with discussion of early second-round playoff storylines, including tough luck for Jon Cooper and the friendship between Chris Tanev and William Nylander. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open the week by recapping the Raptors’ Game 7 loss in Cleveland. The boys discuss Darko Rajaković’s pride in the team, key takeaways from the series, and whether individual performances stand out more than the team’s overall showing. They break down Toronto's offensive struggles in the third quarter, evaluate Scottie Barnes’ impact and long-term outlook, and reflect on the value of postseason experience for the Raptors’ young core. The conversation also covers RJ Barrett’s strong series, Brandon Ingram’s fit and future with the team, and overall optimism moving forward. After the break, they shift to the Blue Jays’ series split in Minnesota, highlighting Kazuma Okamoto’s power surge, George Springer’s health concerns, and a recent situation involving Tyler Heineman and John Schneider. They also discuss the impact of Alejandro Kirk’s absence behind the plate and José Berríos’ rehab setback. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning wrap up the week with Toronto Star contributor and Leafs historian Damien Cox. They discuss Mats Sundin’s possible post-playing career role, the potential hiring of both Sundin and John Chayka, and if the organization is handling this situation well. Trust in Sundin's judgment, organizational views on former players, and the influx of rumors are also explored. Afterward, NBA announcer Michael Grady (23:49) shares insights on the Cavs-Raptors series, the Raptors' future potential, James Harden's playoff reputation, and player health concerns, particularly regarding Scottie Barnes. Ben and Brent offer their predictions for Game 6. 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.