Maple Leafs signs Max Domi to a $3 million annual contract

Max Domi remembers growing up with miniature hockey sticks in the hallways of Scotiabank Arena.

He will step onto the ice next season as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing a one-year, $3 million contract on Monday.

The 28-year-old’s father, Tie Domi, played for the Maple Leafs from 1995 to 2006 and became a fan favorite as a colorful enforcer who hit well above his height at 5’7″.

Domi, who is slightly taller at 5’7″, says he imagined himself wearing the same jersey his father once wore since he was young.

“It’s a dream come true, really,” said Domi, who calls longtime Toronto captain Mats Sundin family and occasionally took to the ice after Maple Leaf’s morning skates at what was then the Air Canada Center when he was growing up. “It’s something I’ve thought about for a long time and dreamed about over and over.

“I’ll never forget the feeling of just skating around there, looking at the seats and saying, ‘Man, this would be the coolest thing in the world to play on this rink with every seat filled and play for the Toronto Maple. Leafs.”

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving’s relationship with Domi dates back to his days with the Arizona Coyotes, who drafted Domi in 2013.

Treliving believes they will see the “best version” of Domi playing for his hometown club.

“He’s wanted to play in Toronto for a long time,” Treliving said. “Players have that it means a lot to them to put on that jersey, I think that’s important, and that’s Max.”

Still, Treliving says they signed Domi for his play – not the Maple Leafs connection to his father.

“This is not an old signing. This isn’t about anything other than we think we’re going to get a really good player to help win games,” he said. “Maybe there’s a nice story or two, but this isn’t about signing a guy because he’s got some really cute pictures in the Leaf room.

“Now I think those things, the history, will drive him. It matters. It’s really important for him here, playing here is important, the chance to win here.”

Domi, 28, had 20 goals and 36 assists in 80 games last season between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars.

In 19 playoff games with the Stars, who reached the Western Conference Finals, he produced three goals and 10 assists.

Treliving says Domi’s ability to play multiple roles and positions, and his recent playoff experience are things the Maple Leafs are eager to add to their lineup.

“I think he has become a more responsible player. What I like about Max is also his versatility… he has a versatile centre, plays on the wing, can move up and down,” he said. “I think he is a much more mature player. He understands the things that are important now. It’s not just about points.”

Domi joins his seventh NHL team after stints with the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, Blackhawks and Stars.

His most productive season was in 2018-19 with the Canadiens, when he scored 72 points in 82 games, but 33 of his 43 career playoff games came in the last two years.

In addition to playing for his father’s team, Domi can’t wait to hit the ice with the talented Maple Leafs roster.

“I was just really excited to come home and play with guys like Auston (Matthews) and Mitch (Marner) and John (Tavares) and Willie (Nylander) and all these great players, Morgan (Reilly) too,” said he. “There’s so much talent and it’s a great team.

“It was a no-brainer for me.”

It is the latest step in an active free agency for Treliving and its buyers.

Toronto also added Dylan Gambrell on Monday with a one-year contract worth $775,000.

Gambrell, 26, had four goals and six assists in 60 games with the Ottawa Senators last season.

The Maple Leafs signed winger Tyler Bertuzzi to a one-year, $5.5 million contract on Sunday, one day after signing defenseman John Klingberg and Ryan Reaves.

“Both (Domi and Bertuzzi), I think there’s a DNA part of them that we need a little bit more snot in our game,” Treliving said. “I think they both put in a little bit of that, so we felt yesterday was a good day.”

Toronto also bid farewell to eight players over the weekend as forwards Ryan O’Reilly, Michael Bunting, Noel Acciari and Alexander Kerfoot, along with defenders Luke Schenn, Justin Holl, Erik Gustafsson and goaltender Erik Kallgren skipped town.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 3, 2023.