Decision to join Toronto a ‘no-brainer’ for newest Maple Leaf Max Domi

Max Domi said when the opportunity arose to join his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs, the decision to sign and compete for a Stanley Cup was a “no-brainer.”

Domi, 28, signed a one-year, $3-million (USD) contract with the Maple Leafs on Monday.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Domi said he had some offers from other teams when free agency opened but was quickly drawn to Toronto.

“My agent made the rounds, but when I found out Toronto was as interested as they were, it was basically a no-brainer,” Domi said. “I was willing to do whatever it took to help that process end the way we were hoping for, which is to play for the Leafs this fall.”

Home ???? pic.twitter.com/xDLVtXkyKv

— Max Domi (@maxdomi) July 3, 2023

Max’s father, Tie Domi, is a well-known former Leaf as an original 1988 draft pick, playing 12 seasons in Toronto and 768 games in the blue and white. Max is also familiar with current Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner, as the two were teammates with the Ontario Hockey League’s (OHL) London Knights in 2013-14 and 2014-15.

RELATED: Maple Leafs sign Tyler Bertuzzi to one-year, $5.5M contract

Max was drafted in the first round and 12th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2013, while Marner was selected 4th overall by the Maple Leafs in 2015.

“I know there are many die-hard Leafs’ fans out there, but my dad has been jumping on the bandwagon for whatever team I have been on… but I am back home, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. There isn’t a bigger fan right now than my dad, that’s for sure,” Domi said.

“Going back to my junior days and playing with a guy like Mitch, I knew that would be something that’s exciting for me. I talked to him a little bit, and he’s excited to be reunited with another London Knight.”

Domi said he’s also been in touch with captain John Tavares, star center Auston Matthews and defenceman Morgan Rielly.

Domi is the latest addition for general manager Brad Treliving and the front office, as he joins winger Tyler Bertuzzi, defenceman John Klingberg and winger Ryan Reaves as the latest newcomers, replacing several key players that have departed as free agents, including Ryan O’Reilly (Nashville), Michael Bunting (Carolina), Alex Kerfoot (Arizona), Noel Acciari (Pittsburgh), Luke Schenn (Nashville) and Justin Holl (Detroit).

The 28-year-old is expected to draw into Toronto’s top six, likely as a winger alongside Tavares and Marner to start the season. He’s coming off a productive season with the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars, with 20 goals and 56 points across 80 games, adding three goals and 13 points in 19 playoff games with Dallas.

“It makes it much easier when you’re coming home,” Domi said. “There is something special about that. It’s a good reason why I chose to sign here, I am coming home, and it worked for both sides. It really was a no-brainer for me, and I am excited to get started.”