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The future of the Montreal Canadiens lies with Max Domi

By Omar L

MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the warm-up against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - JANUARY 13: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on during the warm-up against the Calgary Flames at the Bell Centre on January 13, 2020 in Montreal, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Calgary Flames 2-0. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens, Max Domi
SUNRISE, FL – DECEMBER 29: Max Domi Montreal Canadiens (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images) /

Bergevin isn’t keen on signing players long-term (ignoring Carey Price). Paul Byron was the most recent signed long-term getting a four-year extension in 2018. Before Byron, Jonathan Drouin received the longest deal signing for six years after the trade with Tampa Bay back in 2017.

Since then, it’s been a medley of bridge deals. Phillip Danault, Joel Armia, and Artturi Lehkonen all got them and for a good reason.

Armia scored an extra goal for the 2018-19 season and showed some positive signs, but the Habs wanted to see more. Danault improved his defensive game and began producing more when linked to Brendan Gallagher. Lehkonen’s the biggest mystery in the organization as he generates a lot of chances and has little scoring to show for it.

Bergevin needed more from all of these players, and there wasn’t enough provided in their respective tenures to warrant a long-term commitment. It’ll likely be the same for Domi, who got a bridge deal after the trade.

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Signing long term without any reassurance would be ill-advised. The salary cap is going to be an issue for the Montreal Canadiens in the future. Their core will need new deals, and with the ceiling likely not getting raised as much for the next little while, Bergevin will need to be smart. That’s why Domi is probably getting a similar deal to his current one.

On the other hand, the Habs have an abundance of forwards with a need for defence. Shea Weber and Jeff Petry aren’t enough, and Alexnder Romanov hasn’t played a game in the NHL yet. Ben Chiarot has done a decent job with Weber, but who knows how long it can last.

By no means am I saying the Montreal Canadiens should trade Domi; however, there are a number of storylines that originate from him.

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