Max Domi is not going anywhere and the two new people joining the Leafs organization just made that certain
Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Max Domi is a player who may have been on the outs, but if the team is looking to bring in Gary Roberts and Tie Domi, that means he's likely going nowhere soon.
A lot of people are getting a bit frustrated with Max Domi since his first season as a Maple Leaf. He turned a solid debut season into a long-term extension but since then has barely been a factor and has found himself a healthy scratch and a bottom-six presence.
He's still got some talent left in him, though at his current price and lineup spot he may not necessarily deserve that. More than capable of scoring 15-20 goals, Domi has barely scratched the surface in Toronto and many are getting tired.
There's been talks that since the Maple Leafs are going in a new direction that names like Domi's are going to be the first on the chopping block however that seems to be a bit premature.
Max Domi not going anywhere if the Maple Leafs decide to add his father to the front office mix
Especially if they are looking to bring in his father as part of the front office.
Jeff Marek noted on his 'The Sheet' podcast that the Maple Leafs still had interest in bringing in Gary Roberts as well as Tie Domi to be part of the new front office, though stopped short at saying they would be in a position to make moves:
Punch Imlach is no longer with us unfortunately...we're drawing out clues but lemme go one more. I do believe that Mats Sundin isn't the only alumni; I don't know the roles but I believe there is a push for Gary Roberts and Tie Domi through all of this as well.
Marek also noted that the Maple Leafs had 'no intention' of moving Max Domi at all, and he'll likely be a part of things going forward.
While that may frustrate fans, it would really be a disservice to Domi to bring him along for an executive job then immediately trade his son. That's going to cause a ton of friction for a group that needs as much good will as possible heading into 2026-27.
But if Domi is sticking around, then what does that mean for the Maple Leafs?
Toronto can still get a good season out of Max Domi but there's a catch
Domi, 31, put up 36 points with the Maple Leafs this season which is an improvement over last year and he finally hit double digits with the team but was a ghastly minus-29. He can't play defence and is only really offensive-minded to his credit — or discredit.
For his career in Toronto, he has 116 points in 234 games (29 goals, 87 assists) and 289 PIM but is a minus-14; though to be fair defense has never been his strong suit (career minus-33 rating).
There's clearly talent within Domi and he's had some good chemistry with both Auston Matthews and William Nylander throughout his career, but he needs someone who can wrangle him in and make sure he isn't put in a bad spot.
Craig Berube had Domi playing heavy minutes at centre and expected him to play like a grinding, checking pivot. He's not that at all, and while he can get physical it's not like he's his dad.
Right now the team needs to maximize his potential (pun intended). Whoever comes in has to make sure he never plays centre, is not consistently trapped in his own zone, and if they have better matchups they need to play them.
His best seasons came with Montreal under Claude Julien, so it's clear he needs someone who can get him on track quickly and not let him start to slack. It would be interesting to see how a name like Manny Malhotra or Misha Donskov can get the most out of Max.
With two years left at $3.75-million, it's really not a huge overpayment for Domi, especially if he can take this year and improve on his offence while just being adequate defensively; it would help a ton. Plus, if his dad's there — he could be motivated to really kick it into gear.
So while fans may be a bit frustrated that Domi isn't going anywhere, if his dad comes in to help settle things down then it might be the spark needed to get him back to his old form.
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Matthews and Nylander went to management with a specific demand and every Leafs fan needs to hear it
Previously on Hockey Patrol