Leafs linked to feisty winger from the Metropolitan Division
Many of the names that the Toronto Maple Leafs have been linked to in recent weeks all have one common trait; they're all an absolute pain in the ass to play against. I think it's safe to suggest that the Leafs do have "a type" of player that they're intending to acquire at or ahead of the trade deadline.
On Tuesday, The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reported that the Buds and the Columbus Blue Jackets have been actively scouting one another and he suggested that there may be a fit between the Leafs and energy winger Max Domi.
The name "Domi" is obviously a well known one in Toronto, as Max's father, Tie Domi, was an absolute warrior for the Buds during the mid 90's and early 2000's and holds the all-time franchise PIMs record with 2265 penalty minutes in 777 games played in the blue and white. For this reason, the idea of bringing Domi to Toronto does have some nostalgia value.
There are some who would argue that an undisciplined player like Max Domi would not be a fit in a structured system like Toronto's. While that may be true, the Leafs also lack an element of post-whistle chaos and could use someone in the lineup who can play a bit higher in the lineup who will stick up for his teammates. Love Wayne Simmonds, but I don't know if I'd want him playing in the top-6 at this stage of his career. Domi, on the other hand, is 26 years old, shoots left and could be a great fit at LW for the Buds on John Tavares' wing.
Domi has registered just shy of 300 career points (299) in 472 NHL games, split between the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens and Columbus Blue Jackets. He has never played on a winning team and he has also never played with line mates of Tavares and Nylander's quality. I'd be willing to bet that Domi could do some damage in Toronto - in more ways than one.
The possibility also exists, if Domi is willing, of staying on past this season in Toronto. It does get tricky when it comes to the financial aspect of things, but perhaps Domi would be willing to sacrifice some dollars in exchange for some term, lofty signing bonuses and maybe even some modified trade protection to ensure that he wouldn't land with another bottom-feeder.
Domi is in the final year of a 2-year, $10.6M deal that pays him $5.3M per season. My guess is that if the Leafs are interested in Domi, they would only be interested in him with 50% salary retention this season, and they could possibly even bring a third team in to eat an additional 25% in exchange for a pick in 2023 or a prospect.
| POLL | ||
MARS 1 | 473 ANSWERS Leafs linked to feisty winger from the Metropolitan Division Would Max Domi be a fit in Toronto with 50% retained? | ||
| Absolutely | 215 | 45.5 % |
| Not a chance | 139 | 29.4 % |
| I'd only take him with double salary retention | 119 | 25.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
