Max Domi’s Resurgence with Maple Leafs Could Lead to Extension – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs
[ad_1]
If Toronto Maple Leafs followers had been requested what they considered the possibilities of or the staff’s want to re-signal Max Domi to an extension as lately as the top of February, their solutions may need been ambivalent. There have been issues he introduced as a backside-six ahead that made his signing sensible—if the worth was proper.
Yet, Domi began the season so slowly that making his re-signing a giant deal was powerful. Really, may one of many children be a less expensive and higher match for the staff?
Over the Past Six Weeks, Domi Has Shown His Value to the Maple Leafs
Over the previous six weeks, followers’ opinions have seemingly modified. Domi has received them over with his current playmaking. Most knew he had one nice season with the Montreal Canadiens in 2018-19. However, that season appeared to be an outlier. After signing a two-12 months deal price a shade over $5 million with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2020, Domi failed to dwell up to that deal. He discovered himself shipped round from Carolina to Chicago after which to Dallas.
Related: Maple Leafs Lose to Red Wings in OT Despite 2nd Period Comeback
Last summer season he signed a one-12 months $3 million present-me deal with the Maple Leafs. For most of this season, he didn’t present a lot of something. Then Mitch Marner obtained damage. Domi out of the blue discovered himself promoted to the highest line alongside Auston Matthews.
Domi has made probably the most of that chance and has proven that he could be a playmaker who can get the puck to Matthews in the fitting locations. He additionally brings some of the “snot” (we hate that phrase) that new basic supervisor (GM) Brad Treliving was searching for.
While he’s not the fighter his father Tie was, he isn’t afraid to drop the gloves if the state of affairs calls for it. He can deal with himself if it comes to that (it have to be within the genes). He additionally has some “attitude” to his sport, one thing the Maple Leafs can use extra of. On high of that, whereas he was born in Winnipeg, he’s as a lot a neighborhood child as his legend of a father was with the staff. There’s a deep household connection in Toronto, and younger Max appears to match nicely right here.
Given His Playmaking Abilities, Re-Signing Domi Should Be a No-Brainer
Because of his current play, it might be a shock if there weren’t a want on behalf of the Maple Leafs to signal an extension with Domi. If that’s true, what may an extension appear like?
The greatest hurdle can be the dearth of cap area the Maple Leafs could have for the 2024-25 season. With the brand new offers for Matthews and William Nylander kicking in and one 12 months remaining on Marner and John Tavares’ offers, the Maple Leafs shall be tight to the cap for one season. With the wage cap slated to rise by over $8 million over the following two years and Tavares both departing or taking part in for a lot much less cash, the cap crunch ought to ease somewhat in 2025-26. But subsequent season goes to be tight.
Related: Maple Leafs’ Goaltending Future Might Be Dennis Hildeby
We may see one other staff providing Domi extra money than he’s making now over a brief interval, presumably two or three years. Yet, we don’t see him getting rather more cash over an extended interval. The Maple Leafs may give you the chance to danger an extended deal for much less cash per season. However, we will’t see Domi getting shut to $5 million per season, comparable to his earlier deal.
Max Domi, Like His Father Tie, Is at Home in Toronto
However, we may see one thing within the $4 million vary for 2 or three seasons. The tipping level, nevertheless, is that Domi seemingly desires to keep dwelling in Toronto. As a end result, the staff may supply him $3 million over 4 or 5 years. It can be a little bit of a bet; nevertheless, it might not be one thing they might not discover their means out of if it went south.
(Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI by way of Getty Images)
Max can be 34 on the finish of the deal. His father, Tie Domi, was an efficient participant into his mid-30s and performed a extra bodily sport than Max. There is not any cause to suppose Max Domi’s sport would fall off that a lot at that age. He looks like an ideal match with this Toronto staff.
[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]
[ad_2]
Source link
