Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was given a $5000 fine from NHL Player Safety for his elbowing penalty on Garnet Hathaway of the Philadelphia Flyers.
Toronto’s Max Domi has been fined $5,000, the maximum allowable under the CBA, for elbowing Philadelphia’s Garnet Hathaway.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 6, 2025
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The play in question happened early in the third period of Sunday night’s game. Hathaway was attempting to get the puck out of his end to begin a breakout when Domi came in to deliver a hit. Domi mistimed his delivery which resulted in his elbow colliding with the back of Hathaway’s head, resulting in a minor penalty for elbowing on the play.
The $5000 fine issued to Domi is the maximum allowable under the CBA for an interference infraction. Given there were some concerns that perhaps it could result in more severe supplemental discipline, Leafs fans are probably relieved that this resulted in only a fine. This marks the fifth time he has been given punishment by the Department of Player Safety, with the most recent being a $5000 fine for slashing Mark Stone during the 2023 Playoffs. He has been suspended twice but the last one was in 2018 where he delivered a sucker punch to Aaron Ekblad and had to sit out the last five preseason games.
Domi to the box for elbowing on Hathaway pic.twitter.com/SdV8kVRTHa
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) January 6, 2025
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It is unclear if this elbowing was in retaliation for Hathaway’s fight with defenceman Jake McCabe which resulted in the latter suffering an upper-body injury and leaving the game early. But given that the two teams are set to square off again on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, there may be more shenanigans in store for the contest.
Domi had a slow start to the 2024-25 campaign, which included a lengthy goalless drought, but has since found offensive success on a line with Nick Robertson and Bobby McMann. Known for his playmaking abilities and tenacity, he has quickly become a fan-favourite for his passion for the team and building his legacy off the back of his father, Tie. Though the team remains focused on acquiring another centre to shore up their depth down the middle, Domi has nonetheless demonstrated that he can be a makeshift third-line centre if need be.
He signed a four-year extension with the Leafs in the offseason that carries an AAV of $3.75 million. At the time of filing, Domi has 14 points (three goals and 11 assists) in 33 games played which has him ninth on the team in scoring.
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