20 games into the 2024-25 season for Max Domi and he has no goals, no points since Oct.21, and right now, no definitive role on the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Head coach Craig Berube has had to battle through a ton of lineup adversity this season with the slew of injuries, and while he’s recently welcomed Domi back into the lineup, it’s become quite obvious, at least for the time being, Berube has no idea what type of role Domi should be playing on the Leafs.

Domi’s been criticized this season for not shooting the puck in spots when he really should be, registering just 26 shots through his first 20 contests. For me, what’s more concerning is the fact he’s not getting engaged into battles, or the flow of the game, or trying to force his shot at times, just to find a spark, or get rewarded by taking the puck to the front of the net. And if you’re not scoring, than what else are you bringing to the table? Domi doesn’t kill penalties and he’s only recorded one hit in his last five games. If he’s being moved down into the bottom-six of the lineup, he needs to be a physical presence on the forecheck, and use his strength and speed to his advantage.

The Maple Leafs’ bottom six is a bit of a mess, as several forwards continue to make their way back from injury. It appears Berube likes having Max Pacioretty in the top six, which means Bobby McMann may get squeezed to the third line, and if Domi isn’t going to be the third-line centre the Leafs desperately need, is playing right wing on a line with McMann and Fraser Minten where he’s going to make the most impact?

For general manager Brad Treliving’s sake, it would be ideal for the Leafs to get healthy over the holiday break, have a good idea of how their lineup is going to be structured when it comes to roles, especially Domi’s, because it will give Treliving a much better picture into where the gaps are to address before the March 7 trade deadline. If Domi’s not capable, is it Minten that plays the shut-down centre role? Is Domi best suited in the top six? Should Matthew Knies really be on the third line?

The injury bug has created opportunities for several players in Toronto, but it’s also made a serious mess of the Leafs’ lineup cards. Berube’s done a great job navigating and keeping the Maple Leafs afloat, but it’s on players like Domi, who are underperforming, to do something to spark their team, grind it out when he’s snake-bitten, and force himself to the front of the net.

Right now, Domi has no role on the Maple Leafs, he doesn’t seem confident with the puck, he’s not impacting the game without it, and frankly, who cares about a home-town discount on a contract when the production hasn’t been there in the least.