New York Rangers: Exploring a potential Max Domi trade

The Arizona Coyotes have reportedly open to moving Max Domi. Could the Coyote and son of Rangers alumni Tie Domi be a fit in New York?

On Monday night, Max Domi ended a 20-game goal drought. This brings his point total for the season to 25 points so far. Four of these points came as goals and 21 of them came as assists, all over the course of 56 games. This is definitely a major drop off from his first two seasons in the league.

Last season, the forward had 38 points in three more games played than this season. His last two campaigns pale in comparison to his stellar rookie performance.

There are many possible reasons for this slump, aside from a fear of being traded, the Coyotes are amongst the worst teams in the league.

A few weeks back, the New York Post reported that the Arizona Coyotes were actively shopping Max Domi. Days later, General Manager John Chayka denounced the Post, though he made it clear that he would listen to offers.

These rumors had us thinking, could the New York Rangers trade for Max Domi? The Coyote that is usually surrounded by trade speculation is Oliver Ekman-Larsson, but Domi could definitely be a dark horse candidate as the trade deadline gets closer. Let’s take a look at what the 22-year-old has accomplished so far, and how this struggling player could help the struggling Rangers.

His career thus far

In 2011, Max Domi was chosen eighth overall in the OHL Entry Draft. In his first season with the league’s London Knights, he put up 49 points (21 goals and 28 assists) in 62 games. The team qualified for playoffs that year as well, where he notched nine points (four goals and five assists) in nineteen games.

The following two years, he scored 87 points (39 goals and 48 assists in 64 games) and 93 points (34 goals and 59 assists in 61 games). The team made the playoffs in both years, with the forward recording 32 points (11 goals and 21 assists in 21 games) and 10 points (four goals and six assists in nine games) in each campaign, respectively.

In 2013, he was drafted 12th overall in the NHL Entry Draft. Then, in 2014, Domi was named as London’s new captain.

For the 2014-2015 campaign, he put up a whopping 102 points (32 goals and 70 assists) in 57 games. He also had nine points (five goals and four assists in nine games) in that year’s playoffs.

As far as the NHL goes, the 22-year-old had a great rookie season. He had 52 points (18 goals and 34 assists) in 81 games. The decline in production began last season when he had 38 points (nine goals and 29 assists) in 59 games.

How could he help the Rangers?

Both the New York Rangers and Max Domi could benefit from a trade bringing the player to the Empire State. For Domi, it would be a classic change of scenery. He’s obviously been slumping lately, and a shakeup could possibly help that. In addition, he’d be joining his old friend Anthony DeAngelo, a former Coyote who could help him feel at home.

As far as the greater good of the team goes, Domi heating up could mean that they would have another solid, producing forward. Furthermore, he can play both Left Wing and Center. The Rangers are currently in need of players at both positions.

Left-Winger Chris Kreider is injured, and Rick Nash, also a left wing, could be on his way out due to a trade. That leaves them with Cody McLeod, and Jimmy Vesey. Vesey and Domi are in similar positions both age, experience, and career-wise, so a trade could benefit them both.

Additionally, he started playing center more often earlier this season. He hadn’t been in that position since he was 16 but definitely wasn’t a liability there in 2018. GM John Chayka says that the plan is to return him to his preferred role as a Left-Wing, but what if he didn’t need to?

The Rangers are seemingly always in need of a reliable Center, with the departure of Derek Stepan this past summer and the role rotating among faces like David Desharnais and J.T. Miller. Domi could potentially be a better option rather than the various players there currently.

What could a trade look like?

As of late, Max Domi has been taken on the role as one of the faces of the franchise in the desert with the absence of Anthony Duclair and Shane Doan. He’s young, skilled enough, has room to improve, and even has a father who was a well-known NHL goon (Tie Domi).

Additionally, his rookie season got him some league-wide recognition, and his experiences/work with diabetes makes him a “good guy” or fan favorite. All of these factors add up to a fairly big price.

In order to obtain Max Domi, the New York Rangers may have to give up a lot. Gauging the market for Domi is tough because he has struggled this season. No trade is an exact science, but the Coyotes would probably want a replacement roster player and a mid-round pick at the minimum.

The Coyotes won’t want anyone too old since they are still trying to rebuild, so established veterans are out of the question.

Instead of a mid-round draft pick, the Rangers could also throw in a mid-level prospect. A player along the lines of Adam Tambellini or Ryan Gropp with someone on the NHL roster might get the job done.

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Of course, this is all speculation. But, with any luck, the New York Rangers will make a needed splash at the trade deadline this year. This is a move geared towards the future and helps kill two birds with one stone. Will that splash include Max Domi? We’ll have to wait (and hope) and see!

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