Max Domi enters the 2025-26 NHL season carrying enormous expectations and facing his biggest opportunity yet. With Mitch Marner’s departure leaving a significant void in Toronto’s offense, the Maple Leafs are scrambling to reinvent their attack. Now, a former enforcer believes Domi should model his game after one of hockey’s most effective agitators: Brad Marchand.

Jay Rosehill, who once wore the blue and white himself, recently appeared on Leafs Morning Take with a bold challenge for Domi. The former tough guy wants to see more than just improved statistics from the skilled forward. He’s calling for a complete transformation in attitude and approach.

Why Does Jay Rosehill Want Max Domi to Play Like Brad Marchand?

“Marchand is at the top of Mount Rushmore when it comes to a skilled player who can affect a game with a big goal or affect a game with some extracurricular stuff. Or piss everyone off, or get people off their game, or bang and crash, or do some dirty arts behind the scenes,” Rosehill said, painting a picture of Marchand’s chaotic brilliance.

Marchand has built his career on being more than just another skilled forward. His ability to score clutch goals while simultaneously getting under opponents’ skin has made him a nightmare matchup and a catalyst for team success. That dual-threat capability is exactly what Rosehill envisions for Domi’s evolution.

“That’s the kind of thing I want Max Domi to take a big step this year in being that guy,” Rosehill continued, outlining his vision for the center’s future.

The former Maple Leaf recognizes that Domi, who secured a $15 million deal, possesses the raw talent needed for this transformation. However, Rosehill believes the missing ingredient is attitude. He wants to see swagger, confidence, and a willingness to cross the line when necessary.

“I want him to have swagger. I want him to be cocky. I want him to piss people off. I want him to play like a rat sometimes. I want him to bang and crash,” he explained, leaving no doubt about the type of player he envisions.

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This advice comes at a crucial time for Toronto’s roster construction. Marner’s exit has created both challenges and opportunities for the remaining forwards. The team’s offseason acquisitions, including Dakota Joshua, Michael Pezzetta, and Matias Maccelli, signal a deliberate shift toward more physical, grinding hockey.

Rosehill’s vision for Domi in this new identity makes perfect strategic sense.

“I just want his game to elevate because I know he’s capable of it,” Rosehill concluded, expressing faith in Domi’s untapped potential.

The sentiment extends beyond former players to current media voices. TSN analyst Mark Masters echoed similar optimism during a recent OverDrive appearance. Masters suggested placing Domi alongside Auston Matthews on the top line, a position typically reserved for elite offensive talents.

The pairing has shown chemistry in limited opportunities, and with no obvious Marner replacement available, the Leafs may need to rely on internal development. Despite experiencing a down year statistically, Domi still possesses the skills that made him a valuable acquisition

Masters believes that top-line responsibility could unlock the swagger and confidence that Rosehill desperately wants to see.

What Makes Brad Marchand’s Approach So Effective in Today’s NHL?

Marchand remains one of hockey’s most polarizing figures, beloved by his supporters and despised by virtually everyone else. This division is particularly pronounced in Toronto, where analysts on First Up recently ranked him among the city’s biggest sports villains, trailing only LeBron James in generating local hatred.

Marchand has spent years perfecting the art of disruption, irritation, and strategic line-crossing. His reputation for getting under Toronto’s skin is well-earned, built through countless battles that often pushed the boundaries of acceptable play. However, this controversial approach has produced undeniable results on the scoreboard.

At 37, Marchand continues to prove that his gritty, all-encompassing style remains effective in the modern game. His recent success helping lead the Florida Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cups demonstrates that teams still value players who can contribute in multiple ways. The combination of skill and edge creates matchup nightmares that pure finesse players simply cannot replicate.

As the Maple Leafs prepare for life without Marner, they face the reality that goals alone won’t solve their problems. The team needs identity, energy, and perhaps most importantly, players willing to do whatever it takes to win.

If Domi can harness even a portion of Marchand’s competitive fire and strategic aggression, Toronto might discover the missing piece they’ve been searching for all along.