Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had a stern message for Max Domi ahead of the regular season, especially if he wants to continue on a line with Auston Matthews.
With the regular season a week away, there isnt much time left for the Toronto Maple Leafs to get their roster and lineup in order ahead of the huge expectations of the 2025-26 season.
One big piece of that lineup is going to be Max Domi, as the veteran forward is going to be placed at the top alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, in a hope to kickstart both him and the captain offensively.
Craig Berube’s Direct Challenge to Max Domi
They have history in the past and it’s been successful, however this is a new season where anything can happen. It’s why Craig Berube had a message to Domi ahead of the start of 2025.
Speaking to reporters about what Domi needs to do in order to keep his spot, the head coach wanted to see more aggressiveness from the forward and pleaded with him to take more shots:
With Max, we’ve got to let him play his game; what he does and what he’s good at. But at the same time, he’s got to change a little bit, like we talked about.
I need him to get inside more. I need him to shoot more. It can’t be all about looking for Matthews or Knies with plays. We need him to make plays, but at the same time, he’s got to shoot pucks.
He’s got to use his shot. We need him to be a bulldog out there. And I need him to be responsible defensively, just like I need every player to be responsible defensively.
That’s a tall order for Domi, who often gets criticized for his lack of defense, however if he is willing to improve and work on things, it could work out great long-term.
What It Means for the Maple Leafs’ Top Line Chemistry
They are going to need him at his best now with Mitch Marner out, and coming off a horrible career numbers-wise, he is surely motivated to bounce back in a big way.Camp didnt start off so hot for Domi however, being injured to start and then dealing with a personal loss shortly thereafter. He has returned to the ice and all we can hope is that he is 100% focused going into the season.
Domi, 30, had 33 points in 74 games for the Maple Leafs (8 goals, 25 assists) but was often marred by poor defensive metrics and put in his worst season ever offensively by a fair margin.
Thank goodness there is at least some previous chemistry brvteen Domi and Matthews, and luckily the combination of the captain and Knies is good enough defensively to cover for any shortcomings on Domi’s end, and keeps him away from a tough center role.
If he can start off hot by at least providing chances for the offense, the goals are going to come in time the more he gets comfortable and has more reps under his belt on the top line.
But he better start working on his shot some more because Craig Berube is going to expect him to put in the work come October 8th.
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Craig Berube Makes It Clear What Max Domi Must Do to Stay With Matthews and Knies
Do you think Max Domi is going to have a career resurgence with Auston Matthews?