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Maple Leafs' belief in a Max Domi trade takes a hit following new report
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs thinking they can trade Max Domi this season may be in for an uncomfortable surprise according to Jonas Siegel of The Athletic.
There's a lot of talk about what type of trade the Maple Leafs are going to make if they make one at all. It could be for a top-six forward, a top-four puck-moving defenseman, or potentially a goaltender to give Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby some respite.
There's also lots of discussion about who the Maple Leafs could potentially give away in a package, and names like Matias Maccelli and Brandon Carlo have been put forth in rumors over the past several weeks.
Toronto not going to trade Max Domi...because they can't.
However, according to a new report from The Athletic's Jonas Siegel, the Maple Leafs aren't going to be making a deal involving one forward that fans may have expected: Max Domi.
Siegel explained in a recent article that the Maple Leafs likely won't trade Domi not because he won't help their lineup, but the fact they pretty much can't get rid of him if they tried:
But what is there to sell, really, that makes giving up worthwhile?
Max Domi, for instance, has two more years left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.75 million.
Even if they could trade him, which seems unlikely, he's not bringing back anything of value in return (unless it's an equally bad contract).
Max Domi, for instance, has two more years left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.75 million.
Even if they could trade him, which seems unlikely, he's not bringing back anything of value in return (unless it's an equally bad contract).
A lot of people were hoping that Domi would be part of a package to bring in a defenseman or a forward who can replace him on the top line with Auston Matthews.
Toronto should instead try and 'Max'-imize Domi's potential
However with this new report, it seems like the team is going to accept the fact they won't get much for him and he would be best utilized as a member of the team.
Granted, while Domi has been the epitome of inconsistency over the last two years, he's actually really picked things up as of late and playing much better overall; including defensively.
Over his last three games, Domi has five points (1 goal, 4 assists) including a game-winner vs. Pittsburgh. He has also been a much more aware defensive player, and hasn't been as detrimental as in the past.
He did struggle a bit against Detroit however didn't have a truly awful game, and his line of himself, Matthews and Bobby McMann have added a lot of energy and excitement recently with some pretty solid chemistry.
So if the team is going to accept the fact they are going to keep Domi and his expensive contract (and no-trade clause attached) then they best find a way to use him to his fullest potential.
If not, then he's going to be a thorn in the side of both the Maple Leafs and their fans for the next couple of years.
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