Leafs’ Craig Berube pushes Max Domi’s buttons before tonight’s game

Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is expected to play at center in his second game of the season when Toronto hosts the Los Angeles Kings at Scotiabank Arena later tonight. While the gritty forward leads the Maple Leafs with three points, all assists, in the first three contests of 2024-25, head coach Craig Berube still wants more out of Domi and used media members on Wednesday morning to push his buttons.

That’s because Domi has only recorded one shot on goal since the start of the year, and Berube sent him a message, per David Alter of the Hockey News, claiming his forward needs to be more selfish.

“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’s lone shot on goal also came in just the first contest of the year against the Montreal Canadiens, and with star forward Auston Matthews also stuck without a point through three games, Berube needs more from his offensive depth.
Used at the wing and at center, Domi says he does not mind paying either or, though some of his best games in 2023-24 came when he moved to the middle. Domi addressed the media ahead of tonight’s game and stated he is ready to play wherever coach wants him to.

“I said it from Day 1 man, whatever position any of us is asked to play, you step in and do the best of your ability, wherever it takes to help the team win. That’s kind of been the story of my positions, I guess. I don’t mind whenever it’s left wing or center, or ring, I’m equally comfortable with all three of them.”

With Berube’s statement about Domi and his push to get more out of his forward, we will have to wait and see how number 11 reacts and chooses to respond to his new head coach’s demands against the Kings tonight.