The Maple Leafs Aren’t Trading This Forward Anytime Soon

Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images | Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

It is no secret by now that the Toronto Maple Leafs have hired the newest duo to run the front office, with John Chayka taking over as the general manager and Mats Sundin as the Maple Leafs senior executive advisor.

The pair have a lot of work to do to get the Maple Leafs back to the team we are all accustomed to; however, this one player does not seem to be on the move anytime soon.

As the Maple Leafs begin their preparation for the NHL Draft, where they were awarded the first overall pick and free agency with an emphasis on getting better, they will have to do a deep analysis of the roster currently, and who they best see fit moving forward.

One player who has been circled in trade rumours throughout the regular season was Max Domi. The Toronto native struggled mightily at times this season and may not have a set role within the lineup next year.

Max Domi's rocky season with the Maple Leafs

Domi has an average annual value of $3.7 million, which ranks among the top five among Maple Leafs forwards. Domi did not play anywhere near that status this season, as he bounced throughout the lineup, even coming close to being a healthy scratch twice during the latter part of November, bleeding into early December. While a resurgence saw Domi get back to his game in January, this was short-lived as he quickly began to struggle once again as the season came to a close.

With Mats Sundin playing in an important role within the Maple Leafs organization, it is tough to see Domi on the way out. The Domi and Sundin families are extremely close, with Tie Domi and Mats playing together for a long stretch of time in Toronto.

Tie and Mats have remained best friends, with Max considering Mats as a father figure and role model. When the Maple Leafs took a trip to Sweden for the NHL Global Series during November of 2023, Max reflected on the Toronto legend and what he has meant to him growing up.

Max Domi reflecting on what Mats Sundin has meant to him

"He means everything to me, man. He’s just one of the best, if not the best, Maple Leafs of all time, and he earned it all. So, he was my favourite player and the guy I’ve looked up to my entire life for that exact reason." Domi said during an interview.

“He was a very close family friend of ours and is like family to me to this day. He was one of my dad’s best friends. So yeah, he’s a huge part of my life and a big reason why I fell in love with the game of hockey and a big reason I was and still am a Leafs fan. And yeah, you’ve got to give him a lot of credit for my development in a lot of ways, and whether it’s on the ice or off the ice, the advice he always gave me, well, the list goes on." Domi later added.

"I’m just very, very grateful and thankful for our relationship."

Maple Leafs will likely hold on to Domi

With all this being said on how close the two have become, it makes it difficult to see the Maple Leafs wanting to ship off Domi. John Chayka does have experience trading the veteran winger, as he did in part of a deal that included acquiring Alex Galchenyuk from the Montreal Canadiens. This would become one of the trades he would regret as Domi produced a career-high 72 points with the Canadiens the very next season.

With Mats having a lot of say in the trades the Maple Leafs make, it will be very difficult to see them placing Domi on the block. Domi has enjoyed his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is in no position to attract the interest of contenders with his recent play.