Max Domi and Auston Matthews skating together ahead of training camp

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for hockey fans.

With training camp on the horizon, more and more Toronto Maple Leafs descend back upon the city ready to sport the blue and white once again. This week, Auston Matthews and Max Domi were spotted on the ice together, working with performance coach Darryl Belfry.

There’s no doubt this will be a big year to watch Matthews and Domi. With Mitch Marner shipped off to the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto’s top six will have a new look, especially on the top line. In two years so far, Domi has often slotted into the top line alongside Matthews, especially when Marner was out. As both players look for improved numbers this season compared to last year, could we see the pair as a more permanent feature of Toronto’s top line?

After putting up 69 goals and 107 points in the 2023-24 season, Matthews’ numbers dipped last year. The 27-year-old had 33 goals and 78 points in 67 games played, with his below average production attributed to lingering injury issues from something he suffered in training camp, though he has yet to specify what.

“There was obviously some stretches where I felt good and some stretches where I didn’t feel very good, definitely a tough year physically,” Matthews said, back in May. “But, you know, taking some time off and going through the process, stuff like that, I’m confident I’ll be back at 100% next season.”

While it may never be revealed what Matthews was dealing with specifically, if he can hit the ice in top shape once again this season, it’s hard to imagine it will matter much longer for Leafs fans.

Domi, meanwhile, enters the season on the second year of a four-year agreement signed last summer, with an annual cap hit of $3.75 million. Last season, the 30-year-old had eight goals and 33 points in 74 games played, the lowest numbers he has put up in one season in his career (excluding the shortened 2020-21 COVID season, and even then he managed nine goals).

With a new look to Toronto’s offence, he’ll need to continue to push for that spark to prove that he can earn his nearly $4 million contract and be a driving force for the Maple Leafs.