Max Domi To Be Exposed to Seattle
In a surprising move it appears that the Columbus Blue Jackets plan on leaving forward Max Domi exposed in the upcoming expansion draft. This report comes courtesy of TSN Insider Darren Dreger:
Teams are putting the finishing touches on their protected lists. Hearing CBJ are planning on leaving Max Domi unprotected. I would be surprised if Seattle doesn’t claim him.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) July 17, 2021
The move comes less than a year after Columbus acquired the former 12th overall draft pick (Arizona – 2013) in a trade that saw them give up power forward Josh Anderson to the Montreal Canadiens.
On June 4th, the Columbus announced that Domi would miss 5-6 months (likely going into a month or more of the regular season) after undergoing right shoulder surgery for a labral tear.
Domi has one year remaining on his current contract, at a $5.3 million cap hit in the two year deal he signed with the Jackets after the trade. Domi has amassed a respectable 275 points in 429 career games, spread over three seasons in Arizona, two in Montreal, and one in Columbus.
If Seattle selects Domi they would be his fourth NHL team and he only just turned 26 in March.
Columbus is staring down a long rebuild and Domi may not fit into their plans, or may be part of a culture reset of newly re-hired President of Hockey Operations and alternative governor for the Columbus Blue Jackets, John Davidson.
Protected lists for NHL teams are due by 5 pm EST today, as the Seattle Kraken prepare for the expansion draft next Wednesday.