Craig Berube speaks out about Max Domi's play to start the season
PUBLICATION
Cameron Brown
October 16, 2024 (8:09 PM)
Max Domi is an incredible playmaker in the NHL, but Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube thinks he could become much more than thats if he tweaks one specific part of this game.
Since the Maple Leafs established their Core 4, they have been looking for forwards to step into a «middle six» role, players who can provide value offensively and in other aspects of their game, and they seem to have found a perfect fit with Max Domi.
Entering his second season with the Maple Leafs, Domi has established himself as a player who can play anywhere in the lineup, an incredibly valuable trait for a team like the Maple Leafs who lack one or two pieces in the Top 6, a role Domi has frequented and excelled in since the beginning of the 23/24 NHL season.
Although Domi may be far removed from his 28 goal, 72 point season for the Montreal Canadiens in the 18/19 NHL season, he is still an incredible playmakerx tallying 38 assists for the Maple Leafs last season. Craig Berube likes what he sees out of Domi, especially as a Center, but noted that he wants Domi to shoot the puck more.
"I think he moves a lot better in the middle, I would say, and moving his feet. You know, he's a very good playmaker. So when he gets open ice and gets some speed going, he can really skate. He's dangerous. He can make plays," Berube said following the team's optional skate on Wednesday. "In saying that, he should shoot more. He had a couple of opportunities, and, you know, he passed up on some shots. So it's, you know, we're trying to get him to shoot a little bit more on his opportunities."
Domi is expected to play Center in the Maple Leafs next game, a game he will enter as the Maple Leafs leading point scorer, with 3 assists in 3 games. Domi's season totals trump all four members of the Core 4, with William Nylander, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and especially Auston Matthews, struggling to begin the season.
Their early season struggles could be attributed to a bug that kept Tavares out of the lineup
Domi will look to make a strong impression at center, and perhaps take Berube's advice to heart and use his shot to his advantage.
POLL |
OCTOBRE 16 | 198 ANSWERS Craig Berube speaks out about Max Domi's play to start the season Will Max Domi score 10 or more goals this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs? |
Yes | 158 | 79.8 % |
No | 40 | 20.2 % |
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