Max Domi Responds Following a Surprise Phone Call from Wayne Gretzky on his Birthday
Maple Leafs forward Max Domi turned 30 years old on Sunday and celebrated with an OT win, however he also got some well wishes from The Great One himself.
To say it's been a struggle for Max Domi in 2024-25 would be an understatement. With only four goals and 24 total points in 51 games, he's been at the forefront of a lot of criticism this season as his contract looks more bloated as each scoreless game passes.
But on Sunday, Domi had two reasons to celebrate.
First, his team is riding high with a five-game win streak after coming away with a 6-5 victory in OT after a shootout with the Pittsburgh Penguins where Domi had a goal, but he also had some pre-game inspiration from The Great One himself:
A guy like that, Wayne Gretzky is the greatest player of all time and he's why I play hockey. To get a call like that, who is literally the best ever, on my birthday, was pretty special, even though it was a complete tap-in.
Super grateful. He makes me so proud to be Canadian.
Max Domi Could Use Wayne Gretzky's Inspiration More Often
It seems like Domi did Gretzky some justice by scoring during the game, and it's quite a compliment for the greatest player ever to call Domi personally and wish him the best.
While Gretzky is far from playing, and is firmly seated behind the analysts desk for the NHL on TNT, it's great to see him still forming rapport with the current crop of NHL stars.
Domi could use some more inspiration from Gretzky if he keeps scoring, as it was a very welcome sight to see him light the lamp. He hadn't scored a goal since Dec. 20 and hasn't played up to the level that his $5M contract expects of him.
He's on pace for the lowest amount of goals, points, and shot percentage in his career, and for someone who at one point had a 28-goal season; it's an incredibly quick downfall.
Domi was also in the news a bit given he may be a potential trade candidate for the Maple Leafs although with his lack of offense, expensive contract and age; that's extremely unlikely.
Max Domi had a pretty good birthday it seems, and what would make the start of his 30's even better is to cap it off with a Stanley Cup win.
