JD Bunkis is joined in studio by The Athletic’s James Mirtle to discuss the disappointing NHL trade deadline and what comes next for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Later, JD shares his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic before Sportsnet’s Jason Bukala continues the trade deadline conversation.
———————————————-
0:00 – Stream Start And Leafs Deadline Mishaps w/ James Mirtle
56:45 – World Baseball Classic Thoughts
1:06:05 – Deadline Talk Continued w/ Jason Bukala
———————————————-
📺 http://sportsnetplus.ca – Stream live on Sportsnet+
💻 http://www.sportsnet.ca – More news & highlights on Sportsnet.ca
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVhibwHk4WKw4leUt6JfRLg
https://www.facebook.com/sportsnet
Tweets by Sportsnet
https://www.instagram.com/sportsnet/
@sportsnet
———————————————-
What Went Wrong For Toronto At The Deadline? | JD Bunkis Podcast – March 9, 2026.
#Hockey #mapleleafs #Podcast
20 Comments
Nothing has gone right for them in a very long stretch of time.
Great suggestion on the no move clauses. Each team should only have like 2-3 player cap with a full no move clause. Then another tier of limited no move clause for another 2 players. Should not be granted to players with less than 5 or 7 years in the NHL. Also salary cap should be after tax income and it should not even be a debate.
If they get the top 5 pick this year their 2027 and 28 picks are gone (unprotected) lol
I realize this show is a total leafs/jays homer show… I get that. But no mention of the NHL regular season game of the year – Lightning v Sabres last night? Criminal… 👎🏻😳
so for the reverse standings, someone please educate me on the checks and balances designed by the nhl. What is in place in the rules that matches the mechanism of the weighted lottery? If there's nothing in the rules to address this, then the only lottery that makes sense is a flat unweighted lottery. In other words, the NHL relentelessly expanded the league and the schedule decade after decade, to drive revenues. But, the unintended side effect of that growth is there are so many non-playoff teams and so many meaningless games down the stretch, that any non-playoff team is in reach of 32'nd place and best odds in the draft if they go all in. Unless there are some arcane rules and penalties that can be assessed to teams for deliberately tanking, then the only possible solution is a flat unweighted lottery. Willing to be educated otherwise though if someone actually knows better.
Hope Okamoto gets going soon. He is 1 for 10 at the WBC.
Mirtle, the most emotional less reporter ever lol
I hope Laughton will be our Daniel Winnik from years past where we trade and then resign him in the offseason
The Leafs are a dumb organization.
Here's a good question: Why would the Leafs want to keep Matthews?
The NMC you cannot get around is a NMC because NO ONE WANTS YOUR PLAYERS.
Berube stays as HC and Rogers brings in a new GM to get him Berube players?
Leafs and the media so stupid to keep trading first round picks. We need a GM like Sam Pollock. He absolutely lived for the draft !
With Matthews play this season, the loss of Marner becomes more impactful each day.
Hire this Bukala guy, Leafs.
I also endorse a Boo
It would be helpful if JD would let his guests speak, instead of his interminable monologues.
The PA will never agree to a change in the "no trade" clause. Additionally, players will just play out their entry level contracts and leave as UFA's.
The Leafs going forward need to find some mentors for the next group of young players that are being brought in. One of the problems with the the past decade was that there wasn't any seasoned veterans to provide the proper guidance, and teach them how to win.
NO CHANGES NEEDED , KEEP DOING THE SAME THING FOR 3 OR 4 MORE SEASONS !!!!!!!