Leafs GM Brad Treliving May Be Forced to Trade Max Domi
One NHL Insider believes that Toronto would be better suited potentially looking for a deal involving Max Domi after a very disappointing season thus far.
Given how beloved his father Tie is by Maple Leafs fans, Max Domi has found less fanfare since his arrival to the club in 2023. Expected to add not only offensive production, but bring some much needed grit and be a sparkplug on the ice.
Though he put in a solid 47-point campaign in his first season, this year has been the polar opposite. With only three goals and 17 points and mired in yet another double-digit scoring drought, to say Domi hasn't lived up to expectations is an understatement.
So with Toronto starved for offense, and desperately needing to free up some much needed cap space, one NHL Insider thinks perhaps the team would be better off if they sent him out of town.
Max Domi Has To Pick Things Up Or Pack Things Up
In an article written for The Athletic, NHL Insider Chris Johnston joined Harman Dayal to discuss some underperforming players who could be on the outs soon with the team.
Domi's name popped up as they explained how Domi has not performed to expectations and needs to be better at both ends:
Generating the worst offensive production in his career (at least on a per game basis), Domi has been held off the scoresheet in 36 of Toronto's 48 games this season, and for someone being paid so much; it's inexcusable.
Toronto already plays a much different game from last season, and the shift to a more defensive style is already a big change, made even more difficult thanks to Domi's shortcomings as a defender.
His shooting percentage is worse than that of David Kampf, Pontus Holmberg, and Steven Lorentz; three players notorious for playing defense and only slightly contributing to offense. If anything, Lorentz has been what Domi should be but is actually good at both ends of the ice.
With a 13-team no trade clause, a bloated contract, and the issue of being the right fit will make a trade much more difficult. Teams won't want to bite on that deal unless Toronto keeps salary, and $3.75M for the next three years isn't the best financial investment.
But if Domi doesn't start picking up the slack, especially given that Toronto needs offense more than ever with more players getting injured by the day; he could be gone just as quickly as he came in.
