Maple Leafs Forward Max Domi Has Interesting Take About His Team's Slow Start
Photo credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
For Max Domi, the idea that the Maple Leafs are dropping too many points too early in the season is being completely overblown.
Coming into the 2025-26 season, most were on the same page, assuming that the Leafs would once again be a top team in the Atlantic Division, with some even suggesting that repeating as division champs was not out of the question.
However, with the season well under way, the team has played their way to a middling 4-4-1 record through their first 9 games. The problem with that is that their schedule has been remarkably light to begin the year and won't get any easier as we progress through November.
Domi, who recently praised the Toronto Blue Jays for how they've handled themselves in the MLB playoffs, knows how important it is for everyone to contribute. He also believes that it's a lot harder to win in the NHL than most people recognize.
Max Domi Not Concerned About the Standings
During a recent interview, Domi shot down the idea that the team's early performances are hurting them in the standings, opining that any team can beat any other team on any given night.
"That's totally irrelevant. Every team is hard to beat in this league, and anyone can beat anyone on any given night, and that's the approach you got to have. So, let's not look too far ahead here." - Domi on his team's early struggles
The Leafs have drawn the Canadiens, Red Wings (x2), Predators, Rangers, Kraken, Devils and Sabres (x2) to begin their season. Only two of those teams made the playoffs last season, and neither got out of the first round, with the Devils and Canadiens only narrowly avoiding being swept by the Hurricanes and Capitals, respectively.
The team's 4 wins have come against the Canadiens, Predators, Rangers and Sabres, and in two of those games, they gave up a point to their opponent going to overtime. Not exactly a successful start by any stretch of the imagination.
Domi's Rough Start
For Domi, he has had his highs and lows this season, from starting training camp injured, to losing his top line spot next to Auston Matthews after the Scott Laughton injury, to returning there for a brief look, only to be demoted to the 4th line.
Domi has just 1 lone goal, his only point, through 9 games this season and is currently a -7 +/- rating. He'll look to get himself back on track on Tuesday when the Leafs host the Calgary Flames.
The feisty forward is more of a playmaker than a goal scorer, so in order to find success, Domi is going to have to find teammates in dangerous scoring areas -- though his head coach, Craig Berube, believes Domi has an underrated shot and should use it more.
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