Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi is set to become an unrestricted free agent in less than a month, but has reportedly already begun contract talks with the team.
In an interview with Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun over the weekend, Domi confirmed that contract talks are ongoing with the Maple Leafs, but wants to leave that to his agent to work out.
Domi added that he enjoyed his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs after signing with them as a free agent last summer and that it's a special organization, one that he's known his entire life after his dad Tie played for the team for parts of 12 seasons.
"I know my agent (Judd Moldaver, same as Matthews) has been talking to (general manager Brad Treliving), though I have to keep that discussion in-house," Domi said. "Whatever happens will happen, but I've still enjoyed every second as a Leaf. I'd love to come back, it's a special organization, a special group of guys."
Domi was then asked about the Maple Leafs' new head coach Craig Berube, who was hired by the organization as a replacement to Sheldon Keefe last month. He said that he knows Berube through his dad and that he's a great coach, winning the Stanley Cup in 2019 with St. Louis and that he holds his players accountable if they're not playing up to his standard.
"I've known Chief through my dad," Domi told the Sun during his ‘highlight of the summer' as ambassador for Sunday morning's Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk at Seton Park in Toronto. "He's a great coach, great human being who holds guys accountable. And he's won (a Stanley Cup). He played the game the right way for a long time and was the ultimate teammate."
The pending UFA also confirmed that he has spoken to Craig Berube since being hired by the Maple Leafs and said that everyone in the locker room is going to benefit from his experience and that "Chief" is what Toronto needs to take the next step in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
"Yes, we've talked (Domi declined to say who made the first call after Berube was named as Sheldon Keefe's replacement on May 17). All the guys in the locker room, the staff, they're going to benefit from having him around every single day. There's a presence around him, he means business.
Whether I'm here or not, he's exactly what this team needs to take the next step."
Domi, 29, appeared in 80 games during the regular season for the Maple Leafs, putting up 47 points (nine goals, 38 assists), 118 penalty minutes and was a plus-ten. He added four points in seven games during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
With free agency opening in 21 days, everyone is curious if the Maple Leafs and Domi will be able to get a contract signed before he hits the open market.
