Craig Berube's praise for a polarizing Maple Leafs forward could quiet the trade rumors
Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
After a strong 5-0 performance on Saturday night, Craig Berube was sure to give his players their flowers including one who has been polarizing to say the very least.
As much as the Toronto Maple Leafs looked out of the playoff race they are right back in the thick of things as the team has won seven of their last nine games and sit only one point out of a playoff spot and look as dangerous as ever.
A lot of that can be attributed to the team's role players coming up strong as well as the resurgence of Auston Matthews; who seems to be playing much like his old self which is a refreshing change amidst concerns he lost a step or two.
Max Domi earns high praise from Craig Berube for strong game on Saturday
But one player who deserves more credit than he is getting right now might be Max Domi. Often criticized for his lack of production and inability to impact the game, it's been night and day from earlier on.
On Saturday, Domi added another goal; his sixth point in eight games and loss rejuvenated on the first line alongside Matthews. Not only did he score but he also decided to scrap with Marcus Pettersson; who had about six inches on him.
Domi ended up winning the scrap pretty handily and he earned the praise of not only the crowd, but his head coach.
Post-game locker room footage shows Craig Berube giving Domi lots of love, while also acknowledging his 100th point as a member of the Maple Leafs:
Max, congrats on 100 points as a Leaf. And heavyweight champ! Hey baby, great scrap, great job everybody.
While it was short and sweet, Berube made sure to put Domi front and center and it couldn't have come at a better time.
Craig Berube's comments show increasing trust in Max Domi
There's been a lot of discussion about whether or not the Maple Leafs should keep Domi or find a team who would be interested in acquiring the veteran forward.
But he's really picked things up as of late, and while he's not blowing people away with his offense; he's getting much more involved.
This was Domi's second fight in three games, and he's genuinely been playing better defense. Domi has been blocking more shots, getting more physical and the best part? He's actually shooting the puck.
Over his last 10 games, Domi has 16 shots on goal, two goals, four blocks and seven hits; it's an overall complete effort from a player who was only a few months ago on the trade block.
It could put an end to any trade discussions and if he keeps up this effort then it probably should.
This is the Max Domi fans need to see; one who takes the extra step and does what he needs to impact the game.
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