Re-Sign Max Domi
Last offseason, both Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi became two of the Leafs key signings to help augment their offense for the 2023-24 season.
Given what they had accomplished in the past, they were highly expected to break out with the star-studded lineup that the Maple Leafs provided.
Unfortunately, both players struggled to find their game quite extensively during the first half of the season. However, both of them were able to drastically turn things around in the latter half of the season, especially when they were eventually put on a line with superstar Auston Matthews.
Bertuzzi was the goal scorer with 21 goals, whereas Domi was mainly the skilled playmaker recording 38 assists, which was his highest total since his breakout 2018-19 season with the Montreal Canadiens.
In addition, Domi added a welcoming level of feistiness like his dad Tie, totalling a whopping 118 penalty minutes last year while standing up for the team on multiple occasions. (All stats from hockey-reference.com and naturalstattrick.com)
With both players entering free agency once again this offseason, it is essential that the Leafs bring back at least one of them, and that one player has to be Domi.
With numerous rumors swirling of the possible trade of star winger Mitch Marner this summer, the Leafs need the best possible playmaker to make up for the potential loss of Marner.
Domi may not be exactly be “magic” like Marner’s abilities and passes, but he definitely can come close to it when he was on his game as many have witnessed this season. Added to the fact that he is now more comfortable with the environment and players that he has played with, he will only get better as the team chemistry grows even more.
As a result, Domi should be given the chance to establish a legacy with the Leafs, just like his dad did in his time.