Top 3 reasons the Capitals should trade for Max Domi
The Washington Capitals have recently been linked to Max Domi fo the Columbus Blue Jackets ahead of the trade deadline according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman.
Here’s what he wrote about the Caps in his 32 Thoughts:
Someone who might be on Washington’s radar: Columbus’ Max Domi. (Marek added Boston and Colorado could be also, which fits, too.) Although Vitek Vanecek has played very well, the Capitals continue to monitor the goaltending market. They needed a strong week — five out of six points in Canada, a win over the Islanders — to convince management they righted the ship. I could see a situation where Fleury wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh, another reason he’d be leery about joining the Capitals.
Here are 3 reasons why Domi belongs in D.C.
#3 He’d fit right in
The Caps have a perfect mix of veterans and youth. All season long with players battling injuries and COVID it’s been next man up. That will continue to be the case depending on the status of T.J. Oshie from last night’s injury.
Domi just turned 27 with his first season coming in 2015-16. So he’s been in the NHL for about seven seasons now. There’s something about players under 25 here not getting enough ice time but Domi wouldn’t have to worry about that.
#2 His offensive numbers would explode
Domi needs a new situation for a boost in his numbers. He’s played on three teams so far in his career. His first stop was with the Arizona Coyotes where he scored 18 goals and 34 assists for 52 points in his rookie year. He followed that up with back to back nine goal seasons.
His second stop was with the Montreal Canadiens for two seasons. He broke out in 2018-19 with 28 goals and 44 assists for 82 points. His second season saw him score 17 goals and 27 assists for 44 points.
He joined the Blue Jackets last season. So far he’s scored nine goals in back to back years. If he came to a team like the Caps, expect those numbers to go up. Who wouldn’t want to play on a team with Alex Ovechkin?
Domi is in the final year of a two year, $10.6 million dollar contract with a $5.3 million cap hit. This may only be a rental or perhaps even a tryout for next season as he enters unrestricted free agency over the summer.
Domi could also give a boost to a power play that has struggled in the early goings but gotten better recently. With Calle Jarkrok off the table and my opinion of Claude Giroux not working out here, Domi would be the perfect fit among forwards.
#1 Domi could be the missing piece the Caps need to get past round one
The goal every year is to win the Stanley Cup but you can’t do that if you’re suffering first round exits every year like the Caps have had since winning their Cup. The window is closing and the time is now to make a move. We all know Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom aren’t getting younger and Ovechkin would like more than a goal record to ride off into the sunset with.
The Caps don’t have to make a splash either but the clock is ticking for Brian MacLellan on that decision. Making a splash might be the right call with the Caps getting hot lately unless he’s confident enough the team can run it back with the lineup they have.
Back when MacLellan addressed the media, things were spiraling out of control and it looked like he was going to take a passive approach. But ever since the team has responded nicely making things all the more interesting for the big decision management has to make.
Domi would be a quality asset to a forward corps that loaded with Ovechkin, Backstrom and now Anthony Mantha, who they happened to get at last year’s deadline.