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Would a Domi-Ehlers Trade Make Sense for Both the Habs and the Jets?

By Sebastian High

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 01: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens reacts after scoring a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 1, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 01: Max Domi #13 of the Montreal Canadiens reacts after scoring a goal in the third period against the Washington Capitals during the NHL game at the Bell Centre on November 1, 2018 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Washington Capitals 6-4. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /
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Montreal Canadiens, Max Domi, Nikolaj Ehlers
MONTREAL, QC – NOVEMBER 01: Max Domi Montreal Canadiens Nikolaj Ehlers (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images) /

It is quite possible that Max Domi has played his final game as a member of the Montreal Canadiens; with this in mind, a deal built around Domi and Nikolaj Ehlers could benefit everyone involved.

Before we dive into player comparisons and other pieces that could be part of a trade between the Canadiens and the Jets, it is important to take a look at why Max Domi may have one foot out the door of Montreal already.

Domi excels when playing down the middle; he is far more effective at centre than he is on the wing, as his 72-point campaign a year ago demonstrated. And Domi is a top-6 forward, a third-line role does not suit his skillset; while he is dynamic offensively, he is far from the best two-way centre in the game. In short, Domi is at his best when centring an offensively-geared top-6 line.

This is a role he was given in Montreal in 2018-19 when Jonathan Drouin and Andrew Shaw were his most regular wingers, and Max Domi thrived, scoring 28 goals and 72 points; the highest point-total by a Hab since 2007-08 when Alexei Kovalev had 84. So when placed in the right situation, Domi can produce.

However, with the emergence of Nick Suzuki throughout the 2019-20 season and of Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the postseason, even Phillip Danault, who was a shoo-in at 1C for the Habs for three seasons, got bumped down to the third line as the postseason progressed. While Danault is tailor-made for a 3rd-line role with a heap of penalty-killing minutes and some time on the Power Play, Domi is not, making him the odd man out. Furthermore, Domi is also an RFA this offseason and could demand a hefty contract, which Montreal may not be willing to pay.

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