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Maple Leafs have horribly misused Max Domi and the numbers prove it


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TJ Tucker
November 27, 2025  (8:33)
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Nov 8, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi (11) moves the puck past Boston Bruins forward Fraser Minten (93) in the third period at Scotiabank Arena.
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been bringing themselves down by using Max Domi at centre and the numbers have proven it.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are having a tough go so far in the 2025-26 season, but the numbers show that one player in particular, Max Domi, is being misused, and it's impacting the entire team.
Travis Yost of TSN has compiled numbers to show Domi's and the team's performance when he's playing centre versus when he's playing wing, and the difference is undeniable.

Max Domi should not be playing centre for Maple Leafs, according to the numbers

As pointed out by Yost, the statistics show that the Maple Leafs have a far better chance at winning a game when Domi is on the wing instead of playing the middle.
"At centre, the Leafs are underwater with Domi down the middle of the lineup, but barely. At wing? Toronto is just under a goal per 60 minutes better than the opposition, a stark difference."
In terms of expected goals for and against/60, the stats show a much better performance for the Maple Leafs when Domi is on the wing. (+0.20 at wing vs -0.31 at centre)

Maple Leafs need to stop playing Max Domi at centre

There's little question that injuries are playing a part in having Domi play centre for the Maple Leafs right now, but management needs to recognize when it's not working, and make the adjustment. Otherwise, the team continues to spin its wheels and not play up to its potential.
Thankfully, with Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies and Nicolas Roy returning to action last night, Domi was shifted over to the right wing on the top line with Matthews and Knies. The results were much better for the Maple Leafs.
This isn't a new issue for Domi. In fact, it's one that has dogged him throughout his career, even during his best seasons. Why coach Craig Berube and GM Brad Treliving insist on having it continue is a mystery. Domi has positives he can bring to a team, but playing centre simply isn't one of them.
Let's just hope that there are no more injuries down the middle and that Domi can continue to play on the wing, where he is better-suited to be.
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Maple Leafs have horribly misused Max Domi and the numbers prove it

Should the Maple Leafs stop using Max Domi at centre altogether?


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