Two crucial forwards for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi, are expected to enter the free agency market on July 1. The Athletic’s James Mirtle and Jonas Siegel reported that both players, who signed one-year deals with the Leafs last offseason, will test free agency despite expressing interest in returning to Toronto.
Bertuzzi and Domi were instrumental in the Leafs’ performance last season, combining for 90 points while playing significant roles in the top six. However, the Leafs are focused on maintaining salary cap flexibility heading into free agency, making extensions for these players unlikely at this time.
Significant Contributions
Tyler Bertuzzi signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Maple Leafs on July 2, 2023. He delivered a solid performance with 21 goals and 22 assists, totaling 43 points in 80 games. Max Domi, who signed a one-year, $3 million contract on the same day, contributed 9 goals and 38 assists, amounting to 47 points in 80 games.
Despite their contributions and interest in returning, Toronto’s strategy involves keeping cap space available for potential defensive acquisitions. Mirtle and Siegel noted, “The Leafs have a lot of forwards under contract, especially once they’ve signed their RFAs, but with Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi looking likely to head to the open market on Monday, that’s two players who played in the top six most of last season and produced a combined 90 points that need to be replaced somehow.”
Potential for Re-signing
While Bertuzzi and Domi are expected to explore free agency, there is still a possibility of them re-signing with the Maple Leafs after the initial wave of free agent signings. “The Leafs aren’t against bringing Bertuzzi and Domi back but want to keep the bulk of their cap space available heading into July 1 for defense. Their return to Toronto may hinge on being able to circle back after the initial wave of UFA signings takes place around the league on Monday,” Siegel and Mirtle explained.
Allowing Bertuzzi and Domi to hit free agency gives them the opportunity to field offers from other teams, but both players have expressed a strong desire to return to Toronto. Domi, whose father Tie Domi played for the Maple Leafs, emphasized his commitment: “Do I want to come back? Absolutely. I think this team has everything it takes to do something special and I would love to help them do that,” Domi said, according to Luke Fox of Sportsnet.
Bertuzzi also expressed his willingness to return: “That’s definitely something I’m open to,” he said at the year-end media availability. “I really enjoyed myself this year. Coming into a new place, especially Toronto, it’s not easy. It took me a little bit on the ice to get going. But off the ice, the guys were great. Everything was top-notch. Me and my family really enjoyed our time here.”
Cap Space Considerations
According to CapFriendly, the Maple Leafs are set to enter free agency with just over $18.8 million in cap space. However, with only 10 forwards, five defensemen, and one goalie under contract, the team needs to sign at least two forwards, one defenseman, and one goalie, likely adding more to fill out the roster.
Key free agents for Toronto include Bertuzzi, Domi, Joel Edmundson, Ilya Samsonov, and Ilya Lyubushkin. The Leafs’ management faces the challenging task of balancing cap space while retaining and acquiring talent to remain competitive in the upcoming season.
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