It wasn't meant as a slight against Dubois; just an exhortation to Domi to think big. And it appears Domi, who was acquired for winger Josh Anderson, has gotten the message as the Jackets prepare for the Jan. 14 opener at Nashville.
"This is just how it is in the NHL," Domi said Monday. "You have to be a pro. Competition is so fierce nowadays whether it's the young guys, guys here, whatever it is, new guys getting acquired from other teams. As a new guy myself, I'm just trying to work as hard as I can every single day and help this team get better."
READ MORE: Blue Jackets training camp central
It certainly appears he can do that. Domi comes to Columbus as a proven offensive option, with the 2013 first-round pick having posted 81 goals and 251 points in 375 games in eight seasons. He's coming off a 17-27-44 line in a 71-game season in Montreal and is one year removed from a 72-point season with the Habs in which he notched 28 goals and 44 points. In his career, he's averaged 18 goals and 55 points per 82 games.
Always known as a high-level offensive talent going back to his days when he had three straight seasons of 85-plus points with the London Knights of the OHL, Domi brings creativity, skill and the ability to both set up goals and finish them to Columbus. He'll also likely be a power-play presence who had 22 points on the man advantage the past two seasons with the Canadiens.
Through the first two days of training camp, he's occupied a spot along the half wall on one of the CBJ power-play units and skated on a line with veterans Cam Atkinson and Nick Foligno, the Nos. 2 and 3 goal scorers in franchise history, respectively.
"Just seeing him already, his skill and what he brings, his vision, his passing, his playmaking ability and his speed, I think he's going to fit in really well," Foligno said. "Right now, he's opening up with Cam (Atkinson) and myself, and I think we already understand how each other plays just by skating together."
Added Atkinson: "I'm very excited to start with Max. You can already see how much skill he has, and he seems like a pass-first guy, which always gets me excited even though he can score a lot of goals as well. He can slow the game down. He wants the puck, so it gives me a chance to kind of get lost. I know that he's going to be looking for me all the time, and I'm excited to see how he does and definitely excited to play with him."
Just as important as Domi's offensive abilities, though, will be the attitude he brings. The son of longtime NHL enforcer Tie Domi possesses not just his father's lunchpail work ethic but a bit of personality on and off the ice, perhaps one reason Domi and his family have connections to such notable names as Mark Wahlberg, Tom Brady and Justin Bieber.
"A lot gets talked about his skill, but he plays with a little swagger out there, and I think that's important," Foligno said. "That's who we are as a group, and I think he's excited to get going. I think he's really enjoyed the group and Columbus, and you can tell right away, he's already a locker room favorite. He's just a good guy and somebody we're excited to have, so we're looking forward to getting to work with him."
And even though Domi was the marquee offseason addition for the Blue Jackets, brought in to add something to the team offensively, he's approaching each day with the work ethic of someone fighting for a lineup spot -- just like Tortorella wants.
"It doesn't matter where you're playing, it doesn't matter what position, what role you're in, you're expected to be a pro and show up every day and work as hard as you can and get better every single day," Domi said. "I know it's a cliché and it's probably not what you want to hear, but it's the honest truth.
"I love the game of hockey and I want to win just as bad as anyone, and I feel very fortunate to be part of the team that is right here."
