It was a homecoming when Max Domi signed a one-year contract with the Maple Leafs last summer. With the legacy and fan-favourite reputation left behind by his dad, former enforcer Tie Domi, the printing of the name “Domi” on a modernized Leafs jersey struck a chord with fans from the new and old generations. The fact that he was a former linemate of Mitch Marner’s in junior only further added to the excitement. Coming off a 56-point season split between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars, there was an opportunity to excel in a top-six role with the versatility of playing all three positions and on the third line when needed as well.
For somebody making $3 million, Domi ended up carving out an important role for the Leafs in 2023-24. Although his goal-scoring saw a slight dip, with only nine on the season, he tallied 38 assists for 47 points in 80 games. He stepped into Marner’s role when the latter suffered a high ankle sprain in a game against the Boston Bruins in early March and finished the season with 14 assists and 16 points in the final 19 games of the season, mostly skating alongside Auston Matthews. He went on to lead the team in scoring in the playoffs, with his four points tying him with Matthews and Tyler Bertuzzi
Domi previously expressed interest in sticking with the Maple Leafs at the team’s season-ending press conference, and according to a piece from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, there’s already been a conversation between the two sides.
“There’s already been a conversation between the Leafs’ front office and agent Judd Moldaver of Wasserman expressing mutual interest in getting a deal done. But no numbers exchanged yet. Domi enjoyed this season playing in his hometown. Similar to the Bertuzzi situation, term will be key for the 29-year-old Domi after he settled for one year, $3 million with the Leafs last summer. I would imagine five or six years at between $5 million and $6 million would get it done. But how does that fit in with everything else the Leafs will have to get done this summer? -Pierre LeBrun (from ‘Rumblings on Guentzel, Kane, Stamkos, Lindholm, Bertuzzi, and more as NHL free-agent market heats up, TheAthleticNHL – 5/24/24)
It’s worth noting that the number floated in the quote is merely LeBrun’s own speculation, not an official report. The most Domi has made annually on a contract in his career so far is $5.3 million, back when he signed a two-year contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets in October 2020. LeBrun also provided a bit of a non-update on Tyler Bertuzzi, stating that the two sides have mutual interest in an extension and complemented with this tidbit from Bertuzzi’s agent, Todd Reynolds.
“It’s early, but it’s out there that the Leafs want to re-sign him. We’ll see what happens here. He’s been a top player on the last three teams he’s played with. He’s played on the first line with the best players on each of his last three teams. So he would be coveted on the open market. But whether he gets to market or not, time will tell.” -Reynolds (from ‘Rumblings on Guentzel, Kane, Stamkos, Lindholm, Bertuzzi, and more as NHL free-agent market heats up, TheAthleticNHL – 5/24/24)
Bertuzzi is coming off a 21-goal, 43-point season with a solid second half following a slow start to the campaign. His play style along with Domi’s will both certainly be taken into consideration with new head coach Craig Berube, who will more than likely play a role in the extension talks.
