Wayne Gretzky With Inside Scoop on Leafs’ Max Domi Signing

Max Domi was rated as one of the top 15 free agents coming into the offseason, and according to league insiders, he was projected to be able to land a 5-year contract worth close to $5M AAV. So although it raised some eyebrows a week ago when he agreed to a one-year deal worth $3M with the Toronto Maple Leafs, The Great One, Wayne Gretzky, wasn't surprised. 

In fact, he says Domi passed up much more lucrative deals with more term, just so he could follow his heart, and follow in his father's footsteps. Tie Domi is a legend in Toronto, spending the final 11 seasons of his NHL career with the Leafs, pouring his heart and soul into the franchise. 

One of the things that I'm really impressed with is that Max had two- or three-year offers to go to other cities, and he chose with his heart — 'I’m going to go there (Toronto), I’m going to take a little less money, I wanna be a Leaf'... and that’s what you want as an organization.

                                                                            —Wayne Gretzky on Max Domi

"I'm really excited for Tie," continued The Great One on The Leafs Nation podcast. "He's a Maple Leaf through and through, and loves Toronto, and has always been a huge part of the organization... I know he's so excited about his son Max playing in Toronto.

"Tie can help him with all the stress and pressure that other cities maybe don't have."

The younger Domi, of course, brings a different type of game to the ice, having shown the ability to put some points on the scoreboard, recording his second 20-goal season this past year.

It's a classic 'bet on yourself' scenario for the 28-year-old, and he'll get to suit up with some talented offensive players, hopefully put up another strong season and hit the free agent market again next summer when the salary cap is expected to take a jump.

And in the meantime, he gets to carry on the Domi name in the city that reveres it.

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports