Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi has loved everything that comes with donning the Blue and White on a nightly basis.

Domi made an appearance on The FAN Morning Show with Brent Gunning and Daniele Franceschi on Friday where he spoke about the pressures that come with playing in Toronto. While it can be a daunting task for some, he embraces it and enjoys having the outside noise fuel him to be better.

“I mean, the only thing better than playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs is probably winning a Stanley Cup as a Toronto Maple Leaf, and it’s really that simple,” he said. “It’s a huge privilege, it’s a massive honour to wear that jersey and to play in front of this fanbase 82 times a year plus playoffs. Obviously they’re as hungry as we are. No one is happy with how the season ended, but we’re looking forward to having a big summer here, everyone getting ready to go, and picking right up to where we would like to be playing.”

Since signing with the Leafs in the summer of 2023, Domi has made it clear just how grateful he is to get the experience of playing for his favourite team and the one his dad, Tie, spent a lot of time with during his playing career. He regularly posts hype videos on his Instagram page and even shared a clip from The Wolf of Wall Street when he inked an extension last summer.

Although he can sometimes be a frustrating player to watch when things aren’t clicking, Domi deserves credit for stepping up his game when it counts, as he was at his best this season during the playoffs.

“We’ve got a hungry group, and everyone believes in there that we can get the job done, and anything short of that is not going to cut it. Looking forward to the opportunity,” he said. “I absolutely love playing here. I love playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs, there’s nothing better. Pressure is a huge privilege and something that you dream of your whole life to be able to experience. Is it easy? No, but nothing’s easy, and hard things are what make it fun.”

GM Brad Treliving hinted at wanting to make adjustments to the DNA of the Leafs after how their season concluded in disheartening fashion in Game 7 against the Florida Panthers.  One thing in particular he emphasized is the importance of players embracing the moment and thriving in it, especially given how thin the margins are between winning and losing.

Domi was the one player who was able to find the back of the net in that infamous game to give the Leafs a lifeline that ended up lasting for but a brief moment. Still, it showed that he is more than willing to step up to the challenge and would therefore not be considered one of the passengers that Auston Matthews labelled the majority of the group that night.

“Would much rather be playing hockey right now. You got a pretty bitter taste in your mouth, and I wish the season would start tomorrow,” he said on preparing for next year. “But trying to enjoy, or force myself into spending some time off here to really be able to have the opportunity to hit it for a few months in the summer, and then come back stronger and ready to go.”