Ben Ennis and Richard Deitsch host! Rich Eisen (21:48), host of Tokyo Gold on Peacock TV, discusses Simone Biles’ decision to withdraw from the gymnastics team final on Tuesday due to mental health concerns. Mike Futa (47:59), former L.A. Kings assistant GM, weighs in on the Blackhawks acquiring Marc-Andre Fleury from Vegas and how front offices typically […]

Writers Bloc

July 27: Rich Eisen and Olympic Champ Maggie Mac Neil

Ben Ennis and Richard Deitsch host! ESPN NHL reporter Emily Kaplan (23:21) discusses the Montreal Canadiens’ selection of Logan Mailloux and the Maple Leafs’ priorities in free agency. Buck Martinez (48:11), former MLB catcher and current Blue Jays broadcaster, checks in to chat about Toronto’s position heading into Friday’s trade deadline and George Springer being […]

July 26: Elliotte Friedman, Tokyo 2020, & Jays Trade Market

Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt host and open the show discussing Cleveland’s name change to the Guardians. Tim Leiweke, CEO of the Oak View Group and former President & CEO of MLSE discusses the excitement surrounding the Seattle Kraken and provides his thoughts on Masai Ujiri’s future (16:23). Kevin Goldstein of Fangraphs assesses MLB’s trade […]

July 23: Tim Leiweke & NHL Draft Day Deals!

Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt host. Sports journalist Ed Odeven joins the show from Tokyo ahead of the Olympics to discuss the various challenges surrounding these games amidst COVID-19 (20:00). Sportsnet’s Mark Spector breaks down the Oilers interest in Maple Leafs forward Zach Hyman who seems all but destined to be Edmonton’s newest addition (32:09). […]

July 22: Hyman heads West

Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt host. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi discusses the latest surrounding the Blue Jays, notably Nate Pearson being used out of the bullpen and Corey Dickerson’s return (20:10). CBC Olympic Soccer analyst and former national team member Diana Matheson recaps Canada’s 1-1 draw against Japan and talks about the squad’s chances to improve […]

July 21: Seattle’s Night to get Kraken

Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt host. Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae checks-in from the Blue Jays final home stand in Buffalo after Monday’s loss to the Red Sox (10:40). Max Kerman and Nick Dika of Arkells discuss their return to the stage in August in front of fans, their wishlist for the Blue Jays and playing hoops […]

July 20: Is the “Price” right for Seattle?

Jeff Blair and Stephen Brunt discuss Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop announcing he is gay, the support he’s received around the hockey world, and why today should be celebrated. Later, Jeff and Stephen discuss the Blue Jays as they gear up for a return to Rogers Centre. Leafs Nation host Gord Stellick shares his thoughts […]

July 19: Luke Prokop & Gold Cup with Alexi Lalas

Jeff Blair and Richard Deitsch host. Olympic decathlete Damian Warner talks about training during the pandemic ahead of his departure for Tokyo (19:20). Sportsnet’s  Luke Fox examines the NHL rumour mill and which player the Maple Leafs could lose to the Seattle in the expansion draft (37:22). Dan Shulman looks ahead to the second half of the season […]

July 16: Blue Jays Return to action & Damian Warner

Jeff Blair and Richard Deitsch host. Toronto FC reporter Joshua Kloke discusses the latest news surrounding the club, both on and off the pitch (22:58). Los Angeles Times NBA reporter Dan Woike breaks down the NBA Finals and talks about Team USA’s struggles in exhibition play and finding a replacement for Bradley Beal before covering […]

July 15: Time to Say Goodbye to Zach Hyman?

Jeff Blair and Richard Deitsch host. NBA Insider Shams Charania discusses the latest on Ben Simmons and what could happen with Kyle Lowry and Toronto Raptors this summer (22:29). Parliament Hill reporter Cormac Mac Sweeney shares what he’s hearing on a federal level to allow the Blue Jays and Toronto FC to return home (37:43). Former […]

July 14: Vlad Jr. is MVP & Homecoming for TFC?

Jeff Blair and Richard Deitsch discuss last night’s broadcast of the MLB Home Run Derby and possible return for the Blue Jays to Toronto. NHL insider Renaud Lavoie (16:48) discusses Dominque Ducharme’s extension with the Canadiens, the Minnesota Wild parting ways with Ryan Suter and Zach Parise, and the rumour mill ahead of the draft […]

July 13: Dan Majerle & A Return to Rogers Centre?

Jeff Blair and Richard Deitsch look ahead to MLB’s Home Run Derby and MLB All-Star Game and discuss the young talent on display from Shohei Ohtani to Fernando Tatis Jr. AP’s Global Correspondent Rob Harris recaps the Euro 2020 Final and discusses the mood in England following the loss to Italy (27:03). Jeff and Richard […]

July 12: Euro 2020 Aftermath & Pierre McGuire

Jeff Blair hosts solo! Toronto Star scribe Doug Smith weighs in on Masai Ujiri’s future with the Raptors and the Suns holding a 2-0 series lead over the Bucks (5:54). Rays analyst Orestes Destrade stops by to preview this weekend’s Blue Jays-Rays series at Tropicana Field (23:30). Alan Smith, former Premier League striker and current […]

July 9: Bill Manning, Alan Smith, & Jays Visit the Rays

Jeff Blair hosts solo! Former NHL forward Nick Kypreos discusses the Tampa Bay Lightning winning back-to-back Stanley Cup titles and Travis Dermott’s two-year extension with the Maple Leafs (6:14). Euro 2020 play-by-play voice Martin Tyler chimes in on England’s 2-1 semi-final win over Denmark and Sunday’s final against Italy (22:04). SiriusXM NBA’s Mitch Lawrence stops […]

July 8: Tampa goes back-to-back

Jeff Blair hosts solo! Pat Tabler, former MLB first baseman and current Blue Jays analyst, discusses the importance of tonight’s start for Hyun-Jin Ryu, Steven Matz’s second start since his return from the COVID-19 IL, and George Springer’s fit in the cleanup spot(7:26). Brian Boucher, former NHL goaltender and current NHL on NBC analyst, stops […]

July 7: Jeff Passan, Brian Boucher, and Suns take Game 1

Jeff Blair. Stephen Brunt. Richard Deitsch. As long-time journalists they’ve all experienced writer’s block, but they never run out of things to say! Opinions, insight and analysis from three of the smartest sports observers in the country. Writers Bloc… sharp takes, not hot takes.

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Writers Bloc

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