Max Domi

Position: C, LW

Age: 27

Height/Weight: 5’10”, 194 pounds

Statistics: 18 goals, 31 assists, 49 points (59 games played)

Player Overview

Earlier this month, The Fourth Period reported that the Devils are among the teams linked to Max Domi. Other suitors for the Chicago center include the Rangers, Maple Leafs, Stars, Oilers, Jets, and Lightning.

This season, Domi, who turns 28 on March 2, has largely spent his five-on-five minutes alongside Patrick Kane. In getting those consistent top-six minutes, Domi is well on his way to the second-highest point total of his career. His current 68-point pace would trail only his 72-point season in 2018-2019. The 27-year-old is also scorching hot right now as he has 11 points in his last five games and an active seven-game point streak.

For his career, Domi averages .648-points-per-game and shoots at a 10.5% clip. This season, he is operating at a .831-points-per-game pace and a 12.9% shooting percentage. Some regression would be expected, especially with Domi’s current red-hot form. However, 10-to-12 points in the 21 games after the March 3 trade deadline for New Jersey would be a fair expectation from Domi.

Domi has also made the playoffs twice. He has nine points in 24 career playoff games. Last season, Domi tallied three goals and three assists in 14 games for Carolina. Also, Domi is not afraid to play with physicality, despite his five-foot-10 frame. His size is not a concern come playoff time.

Looking at Domi’s advanced metrics, it is clear that Domi is almost exclusively an offensive-minded player. Per his Evolving Hockey player cards, Domi ranks in the first percentile for his defensive impacts both this season and over the last three years. His offensive numbers are respectable, sitting at the 65th and 64th percentile respectively, but his horrific defensive numbers drag down his overall value.

Regarding special teams, Domi has positive power play metrics this season, but is practically a wash over the past three. As expected with his defensive history, he does not play on the penalty kill.

Contract

Max Domi is signed for one year with a cap hit of $3 million. At the end of the season, Domi will be an unrestricted free agent. With a relatively low cap hit on an expiring deal, fitting Domi under the salary cap may be manageable for the Devils. Especially if Chicago retains 50% of that figure.

After the Timo Meier trade, per CapFriendly, the Devils currently have zero cap space. As a result, they’d need to clear cap space to make a potential Domi trade work. Something that general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he wants to do in an interview with NHL Network just yesterday.

As mentioned, Chicago can also retain salary on up to three contracts (currently at one – Jake McCabe) to reduce the cap hit by a maximum of 50%. In Domi’s case, Chicago can retain up to $1.5 million which would make the deal work.

Potential Fit With the Devils

If the Devils were to acquire Max Domi, he would likely slot into the middle-six, although he could masquerade higher up the lineup in a pinch.

Domi would likely play a role on the Devils’ second power play as well. New Jersey’s top unit seems fairly set in stone with Dougie Hamilton, Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Nico Hischier, and Timo Meier. However, the second unit has struggled to find consistency this season, and Domi would absolutely warrant a look.

Would a Deal Make Sense?

Max Domi could make sense for the Devils, especially after hearing general manager Tom Fitzgerald discussing wanting to add some more depth and grit. Though, the issue would clearly be clearing enough money to make the deal work.

Domi does make a lot of sense as a secondary option. He would provide a significant offensive boost to the Devils’ bottom-six, and despite his lack of defensive output, he could still provide a spark with some physical play. If money can be shed, adding Domi would be a nice get. Though, given his recent hot streak, the price may be a little too high.