The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD and Jackie Redmond, from NHL on TNT, chop it up about the difference of watching sports as a fan versus in their usual media roles, before moving on to the lacklustre Maple leafs. JD and Jackie discuss what the Leafs have left to cling to, what prompted this Leafs era to fall apart, and why Leafs fans feel so emotionally charged. JD and Producer Brandon then discuss the Buffalo Bills promotion of Joe Brady as head coach. 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, co-host of The Raptors Show, react to the Raptors 11th straight loss to the New York Knicks. The duo discuss the biggest concerns for the Raptors as they try to compete with the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. Then, JD and Blake sift through what a potential Giannis Antetekounmpo trade would look like for the Raptors and what other centres may be fit 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.

JD opens with his reaction to the Maple Leafs loss to the Buffalo Sabres and the feelings spurred by Darryl Sittler's ten-point game celebration. Justin Bourne from Real Kyper and Bourne joins JD to chat about the tough decisions and risk assessment the Leafs must now make. JD and Justin go through a list of Leafs players that they think the Leafs are better off keeping or trying to get value back for.  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 Toronto Raptor, Charlie Villanueva, joins JD Bunkis to talk about his time in Toronto, post-retirement career, the importance of veterans and chemistry in an NBA locker room, 2016 All-Star Weekend, plus Scottie Barnes and the key to Raptors success. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the Raptors' precarious situation heading into the trade 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.

Ryan Whitney, co-host of Spittin' Chiclets, joins JD Bunkis to chat about how his thoughts on the Maple Leafs have changed, healthy locker room conversations before and after big games, the nuances of how Leafs fans feel disconnected with the team, the social media affect on athletes, Auston Matthews' relationship with American hockey fans, and how Team USA stacks up against Team Canada at the Olympics in Milan. 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.

Sportsnet's Ben Ennis and JD Bunkis react to William Nylander getting fined for his middle finger, the corporate atmosphere or culture around the Maple Leafs, the Blue Jays prospect pool and remaining MLB free agents, and things they get easily embarrassed by. 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 from The Athletic, gets into the Maple Leafs' negative indicators both on and off the ice. James and JD discuss options the Leafs front office should consider if their losing streak continues into the Olympic break, Craig Berube saying it wasn't his call for Anthony Stolarz to not play a game in the AHL before starting for the Leafs, and why Elliotte Freidman's report detailing that Auston Matthews agreed to re-signing with the Leafs two years before Matthews' was a free-agent, as long as the Leafs didn't fall way off the winning track, is relevant now. 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 horrid weekend for the Maple Leafs, before turning his attention the NFL playoffs. Brady Quinn, NFL analyst on FOX, breaks down (10:00) the missed opportunity for the Buffalo Bills, how the weather affected the New England Patriots victory, what the Pats proved or haven't proved on their way to a Super Bowl appearance, what the most pivotal coaching decisions were in both conference championship games, the fallout for the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos, and what makes Jaxon Smith-Njigba such a weapon. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Sportsnet's Michael Grange joins JD Bunkis gives his insight on Bobby Webster's standing in his first season without Masai Ujiri, what questions the Raptors successful season has inspired, RJ Barrett's precarious situation and evaluation around the NBA, and the Raptors strategy heading into the trade deadline. JD then reacts to news on Anthony Stolarz, before the show ends with 'What We Missed! (34:00) The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

JD reacts to the back and forth regarding the potential boos in Mitch Marner's return to Toronto. Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, gets into different fan reactions that we've seen in the NHL, if Marner will receive a different reception further into the future, what contributed to fracturing Marner's relationship with Toronto. Later (31:00), JD and Versteeg talk about the packed NHL schedule in Olympic years and Jonathan Toews' return to Chicago. To end the hour, JD discusses his NFL picks for the weekend. 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.