The JD Bunkis Podcast Sportsnet

Blake Murphy, Raptors analyst and host of Jays Talk Plus, just JD to discuss the aftermath of the NBA Draft Lottery. Was it a good or bad thing that the Raptors lost their 2024 first-round pick? What are the Raptors prioritizing this off-season? What to expect from the 2024 NBA draft? (00:00). Plus, JD and Blake chat about the Blue Jays' weekend, the biggest signs of optimism and pessimism, if and when Ross Atkins' time is up, and Alek Manoah's path back to a full-time starter (24:00). James Mirtle, senior managing editor at The Athletic, reviews the Maple Leafs' press conference with Keith Pelley, Brandon Shanahan and Brad Treliving (52:00). James and JD discuss the shifted power dynamic, what the "Shanaplan" will be judged by this season, navigating Mitch Marner's no-movement-clause, the Leafs coaching candidates and the latest on Joel Quenneville. JD ends the show with thoughts on Nikola Jokic and the Edmonton Oilers series with the Vancouver Canucks.

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 Jeff Marek joins JD Bunkis to discuss how Sheldon Keefe handled his final media conference and moments with the Maple Leafs, the challenge of striking the right tone, Keith Pelley's unique approach and understanding where the Leafs fan base is at (00:00). Sportsnet's Luke Fox notes the power shift at MLSE, the Leafs' crucial off-season questions and how it was covering Keefe during his tenure (25:00). JD gets into how Sheldon Keefe understood the Toronto market place and his parting message to Leafs nation, plus what he really wants to hear in Friday's management press conference (51:00).

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.

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD in-studio to get into how the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs makes them feel about the Leafs' exit, current rankings of the Blue Jays' lineup, Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his cringe post-game interview shower (00:00). Jim Bowden, MLB insider and analyst, talks about where the Blue Jays are, why it's time to make tough decisions, and the black cloud that still hovering (50:00). Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos join the show to react to breaking news of the Toronto Maple Leafs firing head coach Sheldon Keefe (1:08:00). 

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.

Whit Merrifield, Philadelphia Phillies second baseman, talks about how his free-agency landed him in Philly, why his time in Toronto concluded, the vibe around the 2023 Blue Jays, how it's like as a player when the team isn't getting results and his love for city (2:00). Later, JD chats about the NHL Draft Lottery and matchups in the second-round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs (27:00). Derrick Lewis a.k.a. "The Black Beast" discusses his upcoming heavyweight main event at UFC 301, how his catchphrase came to be, dealing with an ear infection, and catching car thieves (36:00). Ben Nicholson-Smith, Blue Jays writer and co-host of the At The Letters podcast, chats about the slumping Toronto Blue Jays; how close are they to making changes? What will be prioritized? Is it the cook, the ingredients or both? What exactly will push them to decide between buying and selling? And if there are any positives to lean on (50:00).

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 details the Maple Leafs' exit interviews; Mitch Marner's "looked upon as Gods" comment, John Tavares thinking the Leafs are "right there", William Nylander's admiration for the core, credit to Sheldon Keefe and criticism about his remarks on the powerplay process (00:00). James Mirtle, Senior Managing Editor with The Athletic, and JD discuss the what news could come of Friday's Leafs management press conference, the confidence level that Marner will waive his no-move clause and the different ways Marner's tenure with the Leafs could end, the read on Keefe's job security, and a look-ahead at the Leafs' next head coaching options (50:30). The show ends with thoughts on the Timberwolves and Nuggets.

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 lays out what went wrong, what we learned and what should be next for the Toronto Maple Leafs following another first-round playoff loss (00:00). Mike Futa, former NHL executive and analyst with Sportsnet, discusses Matthew Tkachuk's poke at the Leafs, how a front office goes about trading a player with a no movement clause, what Sheldon Keefe speaking to the media on locker clean-out day could suggest and an observation about the relationship between Brad Treliving and Brendan Shanahan (28:00). Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion and creator of the Klevr app, breaks down what locker-room clean out day is like, how the Leafs were sleeping on the series-winning goal, Sheldon Keefe's shortcomings, if Mitch Marner's criticism has been overblown, how the rest of the NHL views the Leafs and if Morgan Rielly should be on the trading block (50:00). The show ends with Jays thoughts and '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.