Maple Leafs Release Domi and Belfour

[BGDDYKWL]

John Ferguson, vice-president and general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, announced Friday that the club has bought out the contract of forward Tie Domi and have elected not to exercise the option year on the contract of goaltender Ed Belfour.

“We want to thank Tie for his many years of service to the organization,” said Ferguson. “He became a fan favourite for a reason and we wish him well in the years ahead.”

“Eddie added a lot to the Toronto Maple Leafs and we appreciate all that he did for us,” added Ferguson. “At this stage we are taking a different direction, and we feel privileged to have had one of the game’s great goalies play for the Maple Leafs.”

Domi, a 36-year-old native of Windsor, Ontario, played in 77 games for the Maple Leafs this season collecting 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) with 109 penalty minutes. Domi was second (tie) on the team in penalty minutes, and he registered his 15th consecutive season with 100-plus penalty minutes.

During the 12 seasons he played for the Maple Leafs, Domi skated in 777 games, registering 196 points (84 goals, 112 assists) with 2,265 penalty minutes. Domi is Toronto’s all-time leader in penalty minutes and stands 10th in regular season games played. He led the club in penalty minutes for eight seasons, and his 365 penalty minutes recorded in the 1997-98 season still stands as a franchise record.

In the playoffs with the Leafs, Domi participated in 86 career contests contributing 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) and 86 penalty minutes. Among Maple Leaf right-wingers, Domi ranks first in all-time playoff penalty minutes and second in games played behind George Armstrong. Domi led the Maple Leafs in penalty minutes the last five seasons Toronto reached the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Domi has played in 1,020 career National Hockey League games with Toronto, the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, collecting 245 points (104 goals, 141 assists) with 3,515 penalty minutes. The 5-foot-10, 213-pound right-winger ranks third in NHL history in penalty minutes and is the current leader among active players in that category. Domi reached two NHL milestones this season as he recorded his 100th career goal versus Montreal on October 8, and played in his 1000th career NHL game at Buffalo on March 3.

Belfour played 49 games for the Maple Leafs this season compiling a 22-22-4 record, a 3.29 goals against average and a .892 save percentage. Belfour surpassed Terry Sawchuk for second place in all-time NHL wins with a victory on December 19 versus the New York Islanders. During Belfour’s three seasons in Toronto, he played 170 games registering a record of 93-61-15 and a 2.51 goals against average. Belfour holds the franchise mark for wins in a season with 37, which was set back in the 2002-03 season. Belfour also tied the Maple Leafs record for shutouts (3-tie) in one playoff series versus Ottawa during the 2004 playoffs.

[Cat Smasher]

Originally Posted by BGDDYKWL

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL...61584-sun.html

Looks like Domi and Belfour will be bought out. There has been a lot of news in Leaf land recently. McCabe waited to sign his contract due to his wife's surgery. Roberts wants back. Roenick stated the Sens and Leafs are his top two choices. And apparently the Leafs are very interested in Arnott and McKee. You bring in Arnott and McKee, trade for Roberts, get Roenick at a reasonable price, and re-sign Lindros at $750K-$1mil, and this team looks real good going into next season.

The Leafs have reportedly expressed an interest in having Jason Allison return this season.

Allison recently met with Toronto to discuss the possibility of his return and there is speculation which suggests that the Maple Leafs may table an offer by the end of the week to keep the veteran for at least another season. In 66 games last season, Allison scored 17 goals and 60 points.

[BGDDYKWL]

I have no problem with that at all. He was without question one of their best players last season. You bring him back cheap, and make the previously mentioned additions, and this team looks real solid for next year. Also, Antropov is reportedly mulling over a two-way contract, so it's possible he'll be gone, which is just fine. And finally, the cherry on the sundae, bring in Simon or Laraque.

[Cat Smasher]

Yup that sounds like a good plan. And for cheap as well I'd bring back Leetch for a season or two. 2nd line dman. Nice insurance. Kabs, McCabe, McKee, Leetch...

[BM24]

With Domi being bought out, it would be amazing if JFJ decided to add some toughness to replace him, or if he is thinking you just don't need it anymore.

[Cat Smasher]

Ya, and if he does have that mindset as you meantioned, he may feel that Belak is enough. Playing once every 10 games. Yikes.

[JKidd]

Hopefully Belak reattaches his nuts and steps up with the opportunity he's going to be given with Domi's departure.

[dp]

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Friday that the club has bought out the contract of forward Tie Domi and have elected not to exercise the option year on the contract of goaltender Ed Belfour.

"We want to thank Tie for his many years of service to the organization," said Ferguson. "He became a fan favourite for a reason and we wish him well in the years ahead."

"Eddie added a lot to the Toronto Maple Leafs and we appreciate all that he did for us," added Ferguson.

"At this stage we are taking a different direction, and we feel privileged to have had one of the game's great goalies play for the Maple Leafs."

Related Info
Leafs' re-sign McCabe to five-year deal
Maple Leafs' 2006-07 Salary Commitments
Domi, a 36-year-old native of Windsor, Ontario, played in 77 games for the Maple Leafs this season collecting 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) with 109 penalty minutes. Domi was second (tie) on the team in penalty minutes, and he registered his 15th consecutive season with 100-plus penalty minutes.





Domi has played in 1,020 career National Hockey League games with Toronto, the New York Rangers and Winnipeg Jets, collecting 245 points with 3,515 penalty minutes.

Belfour played 49 games for the Maple Leafs this season compiling a 22-22-4 record, a 3.29 goals against average and a .892 save percentage. He surpassed Terry Sawchuk for second place in all-time NHL wins with a victory on December 19 versus the New York Islanders.

During Belfour's three seasons in Toronto, he played 170 games registering a record of 93-61-15 and a 2.51 goals against average. Belfour holds the franchise mark for wins in a season with 37, which was set back in the 2002-03 season. Belfour also tied the Maple Leafs record for shutouts (3-tie) in one playoff series versus Ottawa during the 2004 playoffs.

[Cat Smasher]

Mojo's saying he's still gonna play, cheap, and limited. They joked about the Sens, 1 year, 500,000K for Domi, just for pay back, and trip down the highway.

His time was up. TOP 10 All Time for sure.

[mongoose]

domi will be missed ,but in this day an age a fighter that doesnt fight isnt worth 2 cents.

[steg1989]

I'm afraid this is the end of Domi's career. I think he'll sign a 1-year deal with a team and then he shall be done. He will defintly be a top ten fighter and with his retirement, it end an "era"

[mongoose]

wonder where he will go?? very interesting.

[canuck2]

I cant believe the Leafs would let him go. He is only 37. That is really young for the Leafs.

Tie is done. Thanks for the memories.

[mongoose]

Originally Posted by canuck2

I cant believe the Leafs would let him go. He is only 37. That is really young for the Leafs.

Tie is done. Thanks for the memories.

word on the street is that carl brewer may suit up.

[rock'emsock'em]

Wow, I'm sad to think I'll never see Tie stir up sh!t for the blue and white again. Tie will go down as one of the best enforcers of all time and one of my favourite players as well.