Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving said the team needed a DNA change, and that has been evident in the offseason.
Toronto pulled off a sign-and-trade with Mitch Marner, dealing him to the Vegas Golden Knights in their big move off the offseason, getting back depth center Nic Roy in return. The Maple Leafs also acquired Mattias Maccelli to help replace Marner, but Toronto could still make some more DNA changes to their roster.
NHL analyst Thomas Williams of EditorinLeaf believes the Maple Leafs will look to trade fan-favorite forward Max Domi this offseason.
“With three years left on a contract that is paying him $3.75 million, Max Domi can still play above his contract,” Williams wrote. “But the extremely one-way player might just not be good enough at all the aspects of hockey to really make an impact as a bottom-six player.
“The term left on his contract might not be the most desirable thing for an acquiring team,” Williams added. “But we could certainly see some middling team be comfortable taking a player that be an offensive center that can score around 40 points or so in a season.”
Domi just completed the first year of his four-year, $15 million deal. Although it isn’t much money, Treliving has hinted at trading for a top-six forward, which will cost quite a bit in salary, so moving out Domi could be a requirement.
Domi recorded 8 goals and 25 assists for 33 points in 74 games last season.
Maple Leafs GM Wants to Acquire Top-6 Forward
Toronto saw Marner leave in a sign-and-trade as the Maple Leafs are looking to replace him.
Maccelli could help replace some of the offense of Marner, but Treliving says the goal is to add another top-six forward to the roster.
“Mitch was a top-six forward, and we haven’t replaced that hole,” Treliving said on July 1. “That’s really where our focus is.”
Although Treliving will look to replace Marner, he was excited to get something back for the star winger who had 102 points last season.
“When a player of Mitch’s magnitude moves away, that’s never a fun day,” Treliving added. “But we were able to recoup a player who I think can really help us. And in a situation where a player was walking away this morning for nothing, we were able to recoup a player that fits a need for us.”
The Maple Leafs have just under $5 million in cap space, which is why Toronto could trade someone like Domi to clear more cap space.
Maple Leafs GM Called for a DNA Change
Toronto had another playoff disappointment, losing in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers.
The Maple Leafs’ core has just two playoff series wins since 2017, and after another early exit, Treliving said the team needed a DNA change.
“There will be change moving forward. That’s just the nature of the business,” Treliving said. “We’ve gotta find a way to create the team, both between the ears and personnel, to be our best at the critical moments. There’s some DNA that needs to change in our team.”
The Maple Leafs have the seventh-best odds of winning the Stanley Cup entering the 2025-26 season.
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