The FAN Morning Show

Roger Lajoie and Sho Alli kick off the final hour of the morning alongside Sportsnet's Luke Fox! Luke shares his thoughts on the firing of Marc Savard, the current state of the power play, if coaching or player execution is to blame, and what this situation means for Craig Berube’s job security. They also examine how Toronto’s style of play meshes with the personnel on the roster and if the disconnect between the head coach and the team can be resolved. After the break, Trey Wingo (26:16) of the Straight Facts Homie podcast, takes a look back on an eventful Week 16 in the NFL. The conversation covers what Trey saw from the 49ers last night, their status as Super Bowl contenders despite injuries, the parity at the top of the NFL, the importance of the bye week heading into the postseason, and his thoughts on two of the league’s more disappointing teams this year: the Lions and Ravens. They also discuss what happened to Derrick Henry at the end of that game and whether Trey feels differently about the Patriots after their win over the Ravens. Roger and Sho close out Tuesday morning with the Canadian Sports Moment of the Day!Happy Holidays! Thanks for listening - we'll see you in the New Year!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.

Roger Lajoie and Sho Alli kick off the second hour of the morning by recapping Monday night football between the 49ers and the Colts. With the AFC and NFC playoff picture basically set at this point, they discuss which teams have been the most surprising this year and which have been the most disappointing. They also look ahead to what is in store for both the Lions and Ravens going into the offseason. Roger and Sho then listen back to Ken Rosenthal's comments on Foul Territory about what the Blue Jays could be doing in the offseason, including discussion around the team’s biggest need on the infield and how Alex Bregman could help. They also talk about whether it becomes a Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman situation and which player the Jays should prioritize. After the break, the guys welcome Sportsnet Raptors reporter Michael Grange (25:55), who shares his thoughts on the team’s recent struggles. They discuss whether the absence of RJ Barrett and Jakob Poeltl gives the team more leeway in evaluating recent performances, how their Eastern Conference standing has been affected, and whether the team is worthy of taking a big swing to add talent.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.

Roger Lajoie and Sho Alli open Tuesday morning by discussing the Maple Leafs’ decision to fire assistant coach Marc Savard. They dive into what the change could means for the struggling power play, where responsibility lies between coaches and players, and whether further bench or roster changes could follow. They also compare management approaches under Kyle Dubas and Brad Treliving and react to fan feedback from Toronto on whether the move was justified. The conversation then shifts to the Leafs’ matchup with the Penguins this afternoon, examining Pittsburgh’s direction, the futures of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and how close the Penguins may be to major organizational change.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.

Roger and Sho open the final hour by welcoming Michael Traikos, digital manager at the Hockey News. He breaks down what’s gone wrong for the Maple Leafs, what needs to change, the likelihood of a coaching move, and whether there’s still time to climb the Atlantic standings. They also discuss the play of Auston Matthews and William Nylander and potential changes to the core if the season slips away, before reacting to some listener texts on the team’s next steps. After the break, theScore's Brenden Deeg (26:10) joins to analyze a wild weekend in the NFL. He dives into the Patriots’ win over the Ravens, questions around Lamar Jackson and Baltimore, the chaotic Lions–Steelers finish, Mike Tomlin’s legacy, Trevor Lawrence’s rise, AFC playoff implications, and the Bills’ performance. The show wraps up with the Canadian Sports Moment of the Day!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.

Roger and Sho open the second hour by welcoming Gord Stellick, former Maple Leafs GM and friend of the show! He breaks down the Leafs’ disappointing weekend to wrap up the road trip and rough first half of the season, including injuries, goaltending, coaching, and overall direction. They then turn to the text-line to gauge how fans think the team should proceed this year. After the break, the focus shifts to the Red Sox acquiring Willson Contreras to discuss the strengthened AL East and concerns about the Blue Jays’ lack of position player additions.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.

Roger Lajoie and Sho Alli kick off Monday morning by breaking down the Maple Leafs’ winless road trip. The guys assess the level of concern around the team, including the play of Auston Matthews and William Nylander, Craig Berube’s job security, the impact of injuries, and what kind of changes should be considered. They also discuss whether the mediocrity of the Atlantic Division eases some of the panic. The conversation then shifts to the Toronto Raptors’ difficult weekend, featuring losses to the Celtics and Nets. They discuss if we need to reevaluate our expectations of this team, their place in the Eastern Conference, the roster depth behind Jakob Poeltl, and the potential offensive boost from RJ Barrett’s return. After the break, Roger and Sho open the text-line to hear your takes to the Leafs’ weekend, Berube’s future, Matthews’ trade value, and much 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.

Ben Ennis and Sho Alli close out the week by welcoming Nick Kypreos of Real Kyper and Bourne. He breaks down the Maple Leafs’ recent performance against the Capitals, the state of the team this season, Craig Berube’s job security, and the impact of coaching on the roster. The discussion also touches on the future of Auston Matthews and his potential trade value, Tom Wilson's Team Canada case, and what changes could help spark the Leafs. After the break, MLB Network’s Adnan Virk (25:11) joins the show to discuss Bo Bichette’s positional future, how his market is shaping up, the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, and the Blue Jays bullpen options. Adnan also shares his take on the Oscars moving to YouTube in 2029, before we wrap up the week with the Canadian Sport Moment of the Day.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 Sho Alli open the second hour by welcoming NFL on CBS analyst Charles Davis to break down the last night's Rams–Seahawks matchup. They dive into Sam Darnold’s resilience and impact in Seattle, where Matt Stafford stands in the MVP race, and the Seahawks' ceiling this season. They also take some time to discuss the headlines surrounding Puka Nacua this week, before previewing Patriots vs. Ravens, what it means for New England, and the potential ripple effects for the Bills. After the break, Paul Jones (23:37), Raptors radio broadcaster on Sportsnet 590, joins the guys to analyze Toronto's latest win over the Milwaukee Bucks. Paul shares his thoughts on the team's consistency, Brandon Ingram’s play, and Jakob Poeltl’s health, before debating if the Raps should pursue big-name additions or continue developing organically.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 Sho Alli wrap up the week by breaking down a listless Maple Leafs performance against the Capitals. They discuss Craig Berube’s standing after the 4-0 loss, the lack of accountability within the team’s core, the players’ effort level, and Berube’s comments on the power play and media approach. After the break, they shift to the Raptors’ win over the Bucks and share their impressions of Brandon Ingram, Jakob Poeltl’s health, roster construction with limited size, and evolving expectations for the team in the East. The hour closes with reactions to a wild Thursday night in the NFL including Sam Darnold’s status and the Seahawks’ legitimacy as contenders.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 the final hour by welcoming Joe Thomas, NFL Hall of Fame left tackle. He shares his insights on some key Week 16 storylines including Rams vs. Seahawks, the NFC and AFC landscapes, some standout defenders and quarterback situations around the league, and his own career comparisons. After the break, they’re joined by the co-host of The FAN Hockey Show and two-time Stanley Cup champion, Mike Futa (24:15)! He breaks down the Maple Leafs recent form, Auston Matthews’ play, the team's brewing leadership concerns, and more! Ben and Brent wrap up today's show with the Canadian Sports Moment of the Day.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 second hour by discussing Auston Matthews’ relationship with Maple Leafs fans. They touch on his recent emotional reaction after scoring, growing market pressure, health concerns, trade value, and whether he has reached his limit in Toronto. They also debate whether the Blue Jays risk losing Bo Bichette by waiting on Kyle Tucker's market to develop. After the break, Sportsnet NHL analyst Jason Bukala (25:32) joins to break down Team Canada’s win over Sweden, their outlook heading into the World Juniors, and expectations around Gavin McKenna. The conversation then shifts back to the Leafs’ matchup with the Capitals, Matthews’ recent play, potential trade scenarios, possible disconnects between coaching and players, and whether deeper, long-standing issues continue to hold the team back.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 Thursday morning by sharing their last-minute Christmas shopping still needing to be done, before turning to the Blue Jays’ holiday wish list. They look into the impact of Bo Bichette potentially playing second base and how that affects his value and Toronto’s plans. They also discuss the controversy around the Seattle Kraken and Lane Lambert limiting media questions to team employees. After the break, the guys break down NFL news heading into Week 16, including the Dolphins benching Tua Tagovailoa and what it could mean for his future, as well as Joe Burrow’s recent comments and growing uncertainty surrounding his long-term outlook with the Bengals.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 finish off the morning by welcoming NHL insider Frank Seravalli from Victory+. Frank shares his thoughts on the win yesterday over the Chicago Blackhawks and discusses Auston Matthews’ recent play, if Craig Berube calling him out played a role, what it will take for Matthews to return to the conversation as the best player in the league, and what has happened to the aura surrounding him. They explore whether the issue is physical or something bigger, including the possibility of a DNA change as Brad Treliving previously hinted at. Frank also weighs in on whether Matthews would still be the choice as Team USA’s captain for the Olympics. The guys then get into the Canucks’ decision to move on from Quinn Hughes and whether they sees him in Minnesota long-term. Later, Sam McKee (26:19) of Leafs Talk and Real Kyper and Bourne shares his thoughts on the Leafs’ comeback last night. He chats about if the win changed his feelings about the team’s long-term outlook, the constant cycle of believing this could be the turning point, and Matthews’ form of late. The guys close out the morning with the Canadian Sports Moment of the Day.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 start the second hour alongside Gord Stellick, former Maple Leafs general manager and friend of the show! Gord shares his thoughts on the Leafs’ win over the Blackhawks last night, including their third period comeback, Auston Matthews’ emotional response to the fans, the state of the power play after finally scoring, and how much the team can rely on Joseph Woll down the stretch. Gord also discusses "Holy Mackinaw Night" honoring of Joe Bowen and reflects on some of Joe’s great calls throughout the years. Ben and Brent then chat about the idea that Craig Berube’s criticism may have motivated Auston Matthews and whether that kind of approach is needed consistently. After the break (30:50), the guys look at how the Knicks celebrated winning the NBA Cup and debate whether it was fair or foul. The guys also react to Jim Bowden’s comments about team allegiance, discuss whether his take is correct or offensive to fans, explore whether people who work in sports truly understand fandom, and consider whether it’s possible to truly switch teams.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 Wednesday morning by recapping the Maple Leafs’ wild win over the Blackhawks. They highlight Auston Matthews’ much-needed third period power play goal, Craig Berube’s message to the team, and Joseph Woll's play in his return from injury. They also reflect on “Holy Mackinaw Night" at Scotiabank Arena and the tribute to play-by-play voice Joe Bowen in his final season in the booth. After the break, the guys discuss the New York Knicks winning the NBA Cup, what it means for the fan base, and the legitimacy of cup competitions in North American sports. The boys wrap up with thoughts on a recent interview from Cody Ponce which featured his love of Star Wars, sparking a debate on the nerdiest position 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.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off the final hour of the morning by welcoming the voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Joe Bowen! The guys take a moment to look back on some of Joe’s career highlights as they get ready for Holy Mackinaw Night at the Scotiabank Arena tonight. Joe also shares his assessment of the team so far this year and shares this Leafs team differs from others they came up with in the city. Ben and Brent wrap up the interview with thoughts on the broadcaster's legendary career in Toronto and what he's meant to both of them. After the break, ESPN NHL writer Greg Wyshynski joins Ben and Brent to share stories from across the league including the Auston Matthews' form, the Quinn Hughes trade, and the Buffalo Sabres’ decision to fire GM Kevyn Adams after so many years. The guys close out the morning with your Canadian Sports Moment of the Day.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 second hour reacting to comments from Craig Berube about Auston Matthews' recent form. They dive into the captain's response, potential lineup changes with William Nylander skating on the top line, and the goaltending outlook with Joseph Woll's return on the horizon. They also touch on Connor Bedard being out ahead of tonight's clash between the Blackhawks and Maple Leafs, and forecast if this injury will impact his Olympic availability. After the break, Sportsnet Raptors reporter Michael Grange (27:13) joins the show to break down the Raptors’ win over the Heat last night. He assess their defensive effort and scoring outlook with RJ Barrett’s return, before discussing some potential trade targets, including how realistic a pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo may be for 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 affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning open Tuesday's program recapping the Raptors’ road win over the Heat! They focus in on Toronto's defense, their late-game reliance on Brandon Ingram, and some realistic expectations for the team this season. They also debate whether the Raps should pursue a superstar like Anthony Davis or Giannis Antetokounmpo, before reacting to Fred VanVleet recalling the story of Kawhi Leonard's final year in Toronto and his choice to not re-sign. After the break, they discuss the Sabres firing GM Kevyn Adams, the Steelers’ win over the Dolphins, and the Braves signing Ha-Seong Kim. What does it indicate for Bo Bichette’s 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 affiliates.

Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning close out Monday morning alongside Sportsnet's Luke Fox. Luke shares what he saw on Saturday that led to the Maple Leafs' letdown, discusses expectations around Auston Matthews compared to Connor McDavid, and reacts to Craig Berube’s post-game press conference. The guys examine the team’s urgency given their current position, who would feel the most pressure if the Leafs miss the playoffs, where Matthew Knies fits into the leadership core, when Joseph Woll could return to the net, and who should start in goal for Canada at the Olympics. Later, Trey Wingo (24:55) of the Straight Facts Homie podcast gives his thoughts on a wild Week 15 in the NFL. He chat about the Chiefs elimination from playoff contention, the similarities between Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes' trajectories, and whether the Chiefs can still emulate the Patriots dynasty. They also get into the Bills’ chances to win the AFC East, how he expects New England to respond after their loss to Buffalo, his impressions of Philip Rivers, and the latest on the Bengals and Joe Burrow. Ben and Brent close out the morning with the Canadian Sports Moment of the Day.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 the second hour of the week with a look back on Craig Berube's comments following his team's 6-3 loss to the Oilers on Saturday. They discuss the need for more from the leadership core right now and what that could look like for the group. They also compare and contrast Auston Matthews from three years ago to now and examine what has changed so drastically. Later, the guys break down Mark Shapiro's five-year extension with the Blue Jays, the significance of Tyler Rogers signing in Toronto, and what his role in the bullpen might look like. After the break, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (25:55) explores Atkins' new deal and if the World Series run provided enough proof of concept to justify it. The conversation also touches on why the pitching market is moving faster than the position-player market, the possibility of turning to the trade market to address bullpen depth, and the latest on Kyle Tucker.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.