Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Offers Up Insight Into Max Domi's Early Season Struggles

Entering the 2025-26 season, the Toronto Maple Leafs needed to rely heavily upon their secondary scoring options to pick up the slack. So far, most of them haven't been up to the mark, perhaps none more glaring than Max Domi.

The 11-year veteran has just 1 goal in 9 games, holds a minus-7 rating, has fired only 19 shots on goal, and his ice-time has been chopped to 13:11 ATOI as he now holds a fourth-line role.

It's not entirely a new issue with Domi, who has potted a combined 17 goals across his previous 2 seasons, but at least in 2023-24 he was a lot more noticeable and aggressive offensively.

Head coach Craig Berube had called him out a few times last year, hoping he would be more aggressive and fire more shots on goal, and those issues have persisted into 2025-26. However, this time around, Berube has an inkling into why that is.

Domi missed a lot of training camp, primarily the early portion, due to a lower-body injury. With the late start and limited action, Domi's early season struggles make a little more sense, especially if he isn't fully healthy.

His ice-time has fluctuated this year but he saw a season-low 10:29 TOI during their last game against Buffalo. For now, he's stationed on the team's fourth and it's going to take a Herculean effort to get out of the dog house.

The Leafs lineup right now is a little more fluid than usual with William Nylander being a game-time decision, Calle Jarnkrok out with an injury, and the club using both Easton Cowan and Nicholas Robertson. This is high-time for Domi to step up as a veteran and showcase his offensive abilities.

Domi does have great career numbers against the Calgary Flames (7 goals and 14 assists in 26 games), so tonight will prove to be vital for the veteran to gain a little more confidence in his game.