Montreal Canadiens: Could A Max Domi, Josh Anderson Rivalry Spark?

The familiarity between former Montreal Canadiens center Max Domi and current Habs winger Josh Anderson goes back to their junior days playing under the Hunter brothers for the OHL’s London Knights. From 2011-12 to 2013-14 the duo sported the green and gold. The pair played their entire junior careers with the Knights.

Domi played four seasons in London and eclipsed 126-205-331 totals through 244 games played, before joining the Arizona Coyotes for his rookie season in 2015-16. In his first NHL campaign, he managed to play 81 games and produced 18-34-52 totals. Another aspect of Domi’s game that always stood out was his agitator/enforcer style, never backing down from anyone, which led to his 275 penalty minutes in the OHL.

On the other hand, Anderson played three seasons with the Knights, and for his efforts, he recorded 62-60-122 point totals through 191 games. The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Anderson in the fourth round of the 2012 draft, and he made his NHL debut in 2014-15. However, the first two seasons of his career were split between the Blue Jackets and their farm team, the farm team Springfield Falcons, which later was renamed the Cleveland Monsters. Much like Domi, Anderson was a willing combatant and would drop his gloves when needed; as evidenced by his 192 career penalty minutes in the OHL.

The pair’s penalty minutes and rugged style has transitioned to their NHL careers as well. They are often the first guy on their respective teams to come to the aid of their teammates. They have played against one another throughout their NHL careers, but the 2023 season will be much different.

Anderson’s Canadiens and Domi’s Leafs have a history, and it’s very likely that once the pair go head to head fireworks could fly. The Atlantic division rivals are very familiar with one another, and once the two teams take to battle friendships go out the door. The points are crucial, and earning a win against a division rival takes priority over all else.

While I don’t expect the two former junior teammates to rip each other apart, there’s certainly a more than fair chance that they drop the gloves at least once this season. And as Canadiens fans know, Domi might be small, but he isn’t to be ignored. A scrap between Domi and Anderson could blow the roof of the Bell Centre and/or the Air Canada Center.

Best wishes to Domi in Toronto, and should he stick around for some term, the rivalry will only grow to another level. And while the Canadiens are likely not playoff contenders this season, there will be some great battles in the coming years. Expect Domi and Anderson to be right in the middle of the action, ready to drop their mitts at a moment’s notice.

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