As the 2024-25 regular season winds down and the Toronto Maple Leafs prepare for the playoffs, taking a look back at the regular season and assessing what went right and wrong is a fairly typical exercise. Mitch Marner and John Tavares have had great seasons, the goaltending duo has been solid, and the top players have done their job. However, focusing on errors, disappointments, and miscalculated gambles, there have been a handful of underwhelming individual performances this season.
While there are a few candidates worth noting, the most disappointing season belongs to Max Domi.
Why Did Domi Win the Most Disappointing Season Prize?
After a solid season on a one-year, $3 million contract, the Leafs signed Domi to a four-year $3.75 million per season extension in the offseason. Expectations were high, as his job was to provide consistent secondary scoring in the middle six. He struggled to do so, taking big steps backwards after getting the money and term he so desperately wanted. Domi has eight goals and 31 points in 71 games.
Related: Current NHL Players With the Best Chance to Catch Alex Ovechkin
As Jonas Siegel of The Athletic points out:
“Not only has Domi, in the first year of a four-year contract, had two goal droughts of more than 20 games, he also hasn’t set up nearly as many goals as last season — fewer than half as many at five-on-five in fact. In Year 2 as a Leaf, Domi has taken significantly more penalties than he’s drawn, his giveaways have spiked, and he’s mostly struggled at third-line center.”
source – ‘Every NHL team’s most disappointing player in the 2024-25 regular season’ – The Athletic – 04-12-2025
Whether it’s a lack of chemistry with linemates or simply poor decision-making, Domi has yet to find his rhythm in what was supposed to be a key role. It’s too late to change narrative on his regular season, but he’s proven in the past that he can produce in the playoffs. Still, he likely doesn’t have a lot of rope if he can’t find another level.
Domi Not the Only Maple Leaf with a Disappointing Season
Domi may have led the pack when it comes to Maple Leafs who have been underwhelming, but other players haven’t panned out as the organization might have hoped.
In a season where injuries have played a factor, Calle Järnkrok has just five points in 16 games. Head coach Craig Berube recently noted that Järnkrok is still working his way back to full form. He noted:
“He’s still working to get his feet going under him. Been out a long time… He’s working his way through it & he’s doing a good job. I do expect him to get to another level yet.”
Jarnkrok has been praised for his contributions in other areas, such as puck possession and defensive play. He brings other important things to the ice, so there’s a longer leash on this player, even though the Leafs need him to step up in terms of production.
Max Pacioretty, another veteran whose contributions were limited, also avoids the “most disappointing” label. The signing hasn’t panned out as the Maple Leafs might have hoped, but it’s likely they should have seen this coming. Multiple injuries have plagued his recent seasons and kept him out for nearly half of this season. When he is healthy, he can produce and has five goals and 13 points in 37 games. He was back on the ice skating recently, and there is speculation that he could be ready for some playoff action. Pacioretty’s experience and scoring touch could still be a valuable asset.