Maple Leafs reportedly still shopping forward despite recent improvement
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
According to David Pagnotta, the Toronto Maple Leafs are still interested in trading Max Domi despite his uptick in production over the past couple of weeks.
There's been a lot of talk over the past few months about whether or not Max Domi is still a fit with the Maple Leafs or if his one good season was all he had in the tank, and perhaps the team should think of moving on.
Signed to a fairly lucrative contract, Domi has not played up to that standard and is causing a lot of frustration for fans. However he has picked things up recently, with six points over his last eight games and getting more looks on the top line with Auston Matthews.
Max Domi still on the market despite improved production
But despite that uptick in production, the team may still be looking to see if they can move on from him; at least according to David Pagnotta.
The insider was on the Oilers Nation Everyday podcast and discussed Domi's potential to be traded still, and explained that the team is still entertaining offers even if he's gotten better:
Max Domi...he's been a lot better, although I still think they're dangling him.
Granted, Domi has been playing much better as of late, however it still doesn't make up for the fact he has not shown any consistency in spite of his production.
So if there is a way to move on, should the team actually do it?
Why Toronto should still trade Domi this season
While the Domi name carries a lot of weight around the Maple Leafs, unlike his father, Max has not really given then same amount of effort or heart.
He's a lovable guy for sure and off the ice is a true ambassador to the team, but he needs to start giving them more of what he's capable of. This is a guy who has scored 20 goals multiple times in his career and even had a 74 point season.
There's no reason why Domi can't hit 50+ points in a season, and while no one is expecting him to turn in a triple-digit performance, he needs to start getting a point or two every game.
But there's no guarantees he will, and at nearly $4-million a season and heading past his age-30 season, he could bring something back that would actually help the team out.
Whether that's goaltending help, a top-four defenseman, or even a top-six replacement, Domi can still offer a lot to a variety of teams; both contenders and rebuilders.
If Toronto can turn Domi and some other pieces into a package for a player like Dougie Hamilton then it would be a serious upgrade overall - and Domi would play under Sheldon Keefe, the same coach he flourished under in his first season with Toronto.
Max Domi will forever be part of the Toronto Maple Leafs family, and he won't just be forgotten overnight. With that being said, knowing he could bring in what the team needs means the team should see if anyone is open for business.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 17|2099 ANSWERS Maple Leafs reportedly still shopping forward despite recent improvement Should Toronto trade Max Domi? | ||
| Yes | 1767 | 84.2 % |
| No | 332 | 15.8 % |
| List of polls | ||