The Toronto Maple Leafs have reportedly signed forward Max Domi to a four-year, $15MM contract extension, per Chris Johnston of The Athletic (Twitter link). Johnston mentions that the deal will carry an annual cap hit of $3.75MM. These reports come shortly after Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman alluded to a deal coming soon (Twitter link). The new deal will carry Domi through 2028, his age-32 season.
Domi, the son of former Leafs second-round pick and era-defining enforcer Tie Domi, found his groove late into the year, posting 16 points in the last 19 games of the regular season and adding four points in seven playoff games. The inspiration for the scoring came while Domi was filling a top-line role next to superstar Auston Matthews. The two were a great pair of grit and talent – a duo that Toronto is likely set on returning next year.
Domi made quick work of what was his first year brandishing his dad’s old logo, having joined Toronto on a one-year, $3MM contract nearly a year ago today. But Domi could still have untapped upside. He’s proven to be a perennial scorer at the top level, recording 20 goals and 56 points in 80 games between the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars in 2022-23; and boasting a career-high of 28 goals and 72 points scored in 2018-19. The roles that led to that scoring often placed Domi in much more of a spotlight role, giving him room to showcase strong puck skills and shooting. But he had to lean into a grittier style with the Leafs, supporting the stars rather than standing next to them. That could begin to change if Domi holds on to a top-line next season. A smash season would quickly earn Domi the price of his extension, and give Toronto the top-end, high-scoring utility winger that they’ve been needing.
Pretty good deal
Great deal. He fits in nicely. Doesn’t break the bank. Hometown vibes baby.
That’s a home town discount right there
Correction: His father was a second-round pick.
Updated – thank you for the note! 27th overall, so a First Rounder in our hearts.
Great move!
Damn as much as I hate to admit it thats a pretty good deal for the Leafs. All I can hope for is that he goes back to his inconsistent play over the course of the deal.
Let’s see how this season plays out before saying it’s good or bad. He has been through a lot of ups and downs with a bunch of teams.
There’s a reason he’s played for 7 different teams and nobody ever signed him to a 4 year deal before. Leafs always find out the hard way.
2019 is surely an outlier, but there are a lot of forwards in the league making more than 3.75 and not providing Domi’s production. It’s a pretty good deal for Toronto.
Same old Leafs LOL
I’m OK with this.
Would rather them kick the tires on a middle six center like Henrique instead, but it’s fine value for what Domi brings. Curious to see him under a new coach, energized with his first long-term contract.