Both forwards signed a one-year deal with Toronto in 2023 and are pending unrestricted free agents. Bertuzzi signed for $5.5 million while Domi signed for $3 million.
Both forwards signed a one-year deal with Toronto in 2023 and are pending unrestricted free agents. Bertuzzi signed for $5.5 million while Domi signed for $3 million.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to navigate the offseason, contract negotiations with pending unrestricted free agents Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi continue to fluctuate. Currently, Bertuzzi seems likely to test the market, while Domi’s status is still filled with uncertainty.
On Sportsnet 590 The Fan Thursday, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman provided more insight into the forward pair, starting with Bertuzzi, stating, “I saw some reports that Bertuzzi might be gone, we’ll see. I’ve kind of heard similar but I’ve learned this year that what’s true now might not be true in five minutes.”
And it’s true. Ten days ago talks intensified around Bertuzzi and his camp “continuing to work at it” with general manager Brad Treliving and the Leafs. Now, it doesn’t seem to be taking shape that way.
However, as Friedman points out, all hope is not yet lost. Besides, ever since the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign, Bertuzzi has welcomed the idea of staying put in Toronto, saying at the team’s end-of-season media availability, "That's definitely something I'm open to. I really enjoyed myself this year. Coming into a new place, especially Toronto, it's not easy. It took me a little bit on the ice to get going. But off the ice, the guys were great. Everything was top-notch. Me and my family really enjoyed our time here."
Joining Toronto on a one-year, $5.5 million pact last July, Bertuzzi and his camp have already made it clear they are looking for term on his next contract, but the Leafs are hesitant to pursue that route. The 29-year-old ended up with 21 goals and 22 assists in 80 games. In the postseason, Bertuzzi had a goal and three assists through seven games of the club’s opening-round series against the Boston Bruins.
In terms of contract, according to AFP Analytics, Bertuzzi is estimated to get a four-year contract with an annual average value of approximately $5.3 million. The door hasn’t closed on Bertuzzi being a long-term fit in Toronto, but with July 1 approaching, the smoke is beginning to clear.
Domi and his future on the Leafs
Following his comments on Bertuzzi, Friedman mentioned that the Leafs are interested in striking a deal with Domi but the two sides are “battling against something”.
“I’ve also heard that they are really battling against something with Domi,” said Friedman. “I know that there were reports initially that it would have to be about 5x5, but I don’t think that’s the case right now. I heard the ask was in the 4x4 range, which doesn’t strike me as incredibly unreasonable but again, I think the Maple Leafs are trying to be really careful.”
Careful with what exactly? The term, or length of the contract, the club is willing to offer. Domi, who is 29 years old, is looking for security on his next deal, considering he’s played for five different teams in the last three seasons. As stated by Friedman, initially, the term length was thought to be around five years, but it now appears to be centered around a four-year deal.
The Leafs do not want to handcuff themselves by offering lengthy contracts to aging players. If they can avoid it, they likely will. Throughout these negotiations, the club has been nervous of the term rather than the money tied to it.
Regardless of what he may seek from a contract standpoint, his intentions are clear: he wants to remain in Toronto. At the Leafs’ lockout cleanout day, Domi stated, “Do I want to come back? Absolutely. I think this team has everything it takes to do something special and I would love to help them do that." A couple of weeks later, he reiterated his desire to continue his career as a Maple Leaf, adding, “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.”
Thursday, Friedman backed up these claims by emphasizing the mutual interest in getting a deal done, but noted the Leafs are taking a cautious approach.
“Domi I think really wants to stay in Toronto. I think they really want to keep him, but that’s kind of where I heard some of the fencing is going on right now,” said Friedman. “I think Domi was really good for them, and this is where he wants to be, but I think right now the Leafs are trying to be really careful.”
Domi signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the club last July and is projected by AFP Analytics to receive a two-year deal with an annual average value of nearly $3.6 million. With free agency right around the corner, it seems that contract talks will only continue to intensify for the beloved forward.
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