BREAKING: Maple Leafs Discusses huge mega Contract agreement
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Max Domi are currently in negotiations to finalize a contract extension before the free agency period begins on July 1.
Domi, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Leafs in July 2023, is set to become an unrestricted free agent in July 2024. However, he has expressed a strong interest in staying with the team for the next season. Speaking to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun on June 9, Domi mentioned that his agent, Judd Moldaver, has been in talks with Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, although he didn’t disclose any specifics.
“I know my agent has been talking to Brad Treliving, but I have to keep those discussions private,” Domi told Hornby. “Whatever happens will happen, but I’ve enjoyed every second as a Leaf.
“I’d love to come back, it’s a special organization, a special group of guys.”
"I think Toronto is nervous of term."
– @FriedgeHNIC offered up the latest on pending UFAs Max Domi & Tyler Bertuzzi #LeafsForever @thegoldenmuzzy | @Jay_D_Rosehill
Presented by @WendysCanada pic.twitter.com/qnUXVnMNU0
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) June 12, 2024
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman provided an update on the ongoing negotiations on June 12, noting that the Leafs are wary of the length of the contract Domi might seek.
“The one thing is, I know Domi wants some term,” Friedman reported. “I think Max Domi is a perfect Leaf. He’s going to be happy to be here for a long time. I think Toronto is nervous about the term. If they can agree on a term that makes sense for both sides, then I think it happens.”
Leafs & Max Domi’s Mutual Interest After 1-Year Partnership
Leafs GM Brad Treliving spoke with Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic on June 4 at the NHL combine, expressing the franchise’s willingness to re-sign Max Domi, provided they can reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
“It’s early in some of the processes. So you’re meeting on that. And obviously, the bulk of your time here is meeting with the kids for the combine,” Treliving said. “But it’s got to work for them [Leafs’ pending free agents, including Domi] and it’s got to work for us. We’ve got, certainly, some issues that we have to address on the roster. There’s a pie, and there’s only so much to go around.”
Domi made the most of his one-year deal with Toronto, becoming a valuable player for the Leafs throughout the regular season and playoffs. He scored 9 goals, provided 38 assists, and recorded 47 points in 80 regular-season games. In the postseason, he added 1 goal and 3 assists for 4 points in seven games.
Re-signing Domi could be challenging due to the franchise’s salary cap situation. CapFriendly projects the Leafs to have nearly $19 million in cap space entering the offseason, but with only 16 players under contract, managing that cap room will be difficult.
Domi Opens Up on Leafs’ Head Coach Craig Berube
Max Domi also spoke highly of the Leafs’ new head coach Craig Berube, emphasizing his desire to remain in Toronto. Domi’s father, Tie, played in the same era as Berube and even fought him on March 4, 1991.
“I’ve known Chief [Berube’s nickname] through my dad,” Domi said. “He’s a great coach, a great human being who holds guys accountable. And he’s won a Stanley Cup. He played the game the right way for a long time and was the ultimate teammate.”
Domi believes Berube’s leadership will significantly benefit the team and mentioned that he has already been in contact with the new coach.
“Yes, we’ve talked,” Domi said. “All the guys in the locker room, the staff, they’re going to benefit from having him around every single day. There’s a presence around him, he means business.”
Introducing the 32nd head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Craig Berube 🔵⚪️
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) May 17, 2024
The Maple Leafs officially hired Craig Berube as their new head coach on May 17, aiming to start a new era for the franchise while continuing their quest for the Stanley Cup. Toronto has won the NHL title 13 times but has not lifted the Cup since 1967.
Berube became the 32nd head coach in the team’s history, succeeding Sheldon Keefe, who was released after the Leafs lost 4-3 to the Boston Bruins in the first round of the playoffs.