While Max Domi’s father Tie Domi was a fan favorite with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the jury is still out on whether the son can become as revered as the dad. While the younger Domi has carved out a noteworthy NHL career and has put up some significant achievements along the way, he still hasn’t stuck anywhere. He keeps moving around the NHL, having a good season and then a not-so-good season.
As yet, it’s probably fair to say that he hasn’t found his traction. Can he do that in Toronto? There are likely a lot of fans who hope that he might be able to do just that.
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Max Domi’s Hockey Journey
Looking back over Domi’s hockey journey, there are at least three key highlights.
Highlight One: Domi’s OHL Success
Domi’s rise to NHL stardom began during his time in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) with the London Knights. In his final OHL season (2012-13), he put up a remarkable 87 points, scoring 39 goals and adding 48 assists in just 64 games. His outstanding junior hockey season set the stage for his seamless transition to the NHL.
Highlight One: Domi’s Breakout Season with Montreal
In the 2018-19 NHL season, while playing with the Montreal Canadiens, Domi had his best NHL season when he registered 72 points. Of those points, he potted 28 goals and added 44 assists in 82 games. This strong season showcased both his scoring and his playmaking abilities and earned him recognition as a key contributor for the Canadiens.
Highlight Three: Domi’s Playoff Impact with Dallas
During the 2022-23 NHL season, Domi split his time between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars. While his regular season was good, it was in the playoffs with the Stars that he left an impression when he contributed 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) in 19 games. That postseason scoring showed his ability to deliver crucial offensive production in the pressures of the postseason.
Domi’s career has been synonymous with potent offensive contributions, both in the regular season and playoffs, making him a dynamic presence on the ice.
What Can Domi Add to the Maple Leafs Roster?
The Maple Leafs made significant moves in free agency, inking one-year deals with Tyler Bertuzzi and Domi. These signings promise to change the makeup of the team’s top nine forward units. Despite the departure of players such as Michael Bunting, Ryan O’Reilly, and Alex Kerfoot, the team’s revamped offensive arsenal appears promising. The team’s secondary scoring – something it needed to improve – might be far better.
There’s also the addition of rising star Matthew Knies. Who will he play alongside? All three promise to bolster the team’s firepower. If these newcomers can successfully join forces with dynamic core players like Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the team’s offence could be elevated.
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Can Domi Reignite His Chemistry With Marner?
Can Domi reignite his on-ice chemistry with Marner? They played together with the London Knights in the OHL. If so, perhaps he could find a more permanent home. Domi’s journey has seen him wear the jerseys of six different NHL teams in eight years. I’m sure he’d love to stay at home in Toronto.
I can only imagine that Domi will be pumped to play where his father played and where he calls home. Will head coach Sheldon Keefe even try playing Domi and Marner together as a way to rekindle their partnership on the ice? If he did, could that reunion spark a resurgence in Domi’s performance? Might it also impact Marner’s play?
The Bottom Line
Will Domi prosper with the Maple Leafs? To answer the question in the title, can he reprise his season with the Canadiens? Can he even beat it?
I have a feeling he’ll be working to achieve career milestones in the upcoming 2023-24 season. Right now, he stands just 30 points shy of reaching the 400-point mark in his NHL career. He’s also close to playing in his 600th game (he has 19 more games to go).
There’s a good chance Domi’s vagabond journey might just stop in Toronto. However, he has to have a decent season. I think he can do that.
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