The Toronto Maple Leafs have two preseason games remaining before the NHL regular season. Spirits are high and expectations are even higher. Their final preseason game at home will be against the Detroit Red Wings.
Much has been made of who will play alongside Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews on the top line. For now, head coach Craig Berube has appointed Max Domi for that task. The coach has now sent a strong message to Domi about how he needs to play to maintain his position.
Craig Berube on Max Domi
If the morning skate line combinations from October 2 provide any indication, Domi will play on the top line with Knies and Matthews. The day prior, Berube spoke to the media after practice. One main topic of conversation was around Domi and challenging him.
“I need him to get inside more,” Berube said on October 1st. “I need him to shoot more. It can’t be all about looking for Matthews or Knies with plays. We need him to make plays, but at the same time, he’s got to shoot pucks. He’s got to use his shot. And I need him to be responsible defensively, just like I need every player to be responsible defensively.”
“We need him to be a bulldog out there.”
Despite the challenge to do more, Berube acknowledges that he already does some things well. Berube wants him to keep doing those things, too.
“We’ve got to let him play his game,” Berube revealed. “What he does and what he’s good at.”
Time For Max Domi to Step Up
GettyMax Domi celebrates a goal
There’s a reason that Domi is in this deployment in the first place. However, as EditorInLeaf noted in their coverage of this press conference, “that doesn’t mean that he can continue being the same type of player.”
EditorInLeaf believes that Domi has to capitalize on the space that Knies will create with his style of play.
“Knies will be tenacious on the puck and be able to potentially be the crashing-the-net player among that trio,” EditorInLeaf wrote. “But, to take full advantage of the space he creates, Domi will need to be confident enough to make plays and finish plays.”
They wrote that it seemed like Domi was holding back or not putting all the effort he can while lingering in the Maple Leafs middle six.
“It’s almost as if while down in the middle six, Domi was able to coast along on his natural talents,” they continued. “Relying on the other players on his line to fill the gaps in his game.”
“Berube doesn’t want that to happen anymore. It’s now on all three players on that top line to do whatever is necessary.”
Max Domi Walking a Tightrope
GettyMax Domi needs to change some things in his game.
At the beginning of September, Heavy.com named Domi as a trade candidate for the 2025-26 season. Nestor Quixtan wrote about why Domi is walking on eggshells this season.
“His lack of meaningful impact has prompted trade rumors throughout the summer,” wrote Nestor. “However, finding a taker for his $3.75 million cap hit may prove challenging. He’s reached his ceiling and won’t offer much in the way of potential.”
“He could be a solid middle-six addition for a rebuilding or emerging club.”
However, Domi could improve his trade stock with a solid opening to the regular season.
“If Domi gets off to a strong start, his trade value could increase,” concluded Nestor. “That situation may encourage Brad Treliving to find a trade partner for Domi as soon as possible to maximize his return.”
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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