Max Domi on Craig Berube: ‘He’s exactly what this team needs’

Max Domi is slated to become one of the most interesting unrestricted free agents but he’s certainly a fan of the new direction the Toronto Maple Leafs are embarking upon.

Domi spoke to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun during the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk in Toronto on Sunday afternoon, providing Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube with a ringing endorsement.

“He’s a great coach, 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 said of Berube, noting that he’s known him through his father, Tie.

“Yes, we’ve talked. 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. Whether I’m here or not, he’s exactly what this team needs to take the next step.”

Domi played the 2023-24 season a one-year, $3M contract, registering nine goals and 47 goals in 80 regular season games. Domi got off to a slow start offensively but morphed into one of the NHL’s best playmakers at 5-on-5. He often vacillated between centre and wing, but thrived on Auston Matthews’ line as a wing, being excelling as a top-line centre in Matthews’ absence during a seven-game first-round loss to the Boston Bruins.

It appears that the 29-year-old is still mulling over his options, with the Maple Leafs very much in contention to retain him for the upcoming season. Hornby reported that Domi may be looking for a slight salary increase from the Maple Leafs. Domi shares the same agent as Auston Matthews, Judd Moldaver, who negotiated a long-term extension for his superstar client in August 2023.

“Whatever happens will happen, but I’ve still enjoyed every second as a Leaf. I’d love to come back, it’s a special organization, a special group of guys.”

This isn’t merely just another franchise for Domi, he’s been born into Maple Leafs royalty and expressed his appreciation for the fan base numerous times during his homecoming year. It remains to be seen whether Domi will remain in Toronto but it certainly appears that he’s on board with the vision.