Max Domi relegated to Blue Jackets' fourth line; Torts comments on his slow start

The trading of Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Winnipeg Jets for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic has worked out very well so far for the Columbus Blue Jackets. The same cannot be said for the trade that sent Josh Anderson to the Canadiens in exchange for Max Domi. The Blue Jackets had clear expectation of Domi being a top-six player. He's found himself mostly on the fourth line the last little while.

It isn't just Domi's offensive play that has him way down the lineup, it's his defensive play as well. Domi has two goals and six points in 17 games, tied for eight on Columbus with Eric Robinson, who never leaves the fourth line, and Kevin Stenlund who has only played six games. Domi is also a minus-7.

"It's a concern," Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. "I'm sure it's a concern of Max's, too."

"I do think he's beginning to move his legs more. That's been more evident as we've played, but it's been tough sledding offensively for him. On top of that, he's still learning the defensive part of the game, how we play it."

Tortorella is very quick to point out he does not believe Domi's lack of production is due to a lack of effort, pointing out last week "this is not an issue of try." He believes Domi is having trouble grasping the system in Columbus. Domi knows he has to get going.

"I just have to find a way to start producing,» Domi said. «It's as simple as that. It's a much different system here. Different teammates, different coach, different city. It's all different. But you have to find a way."

"If you're a pro hockey player, you've seen most (systems), so you should be able to adapt pretty quickly. I've played some left wing, some right wing, some center, so just getting a better understanding of how to produce while playing within the system that (coach John Tortorella) wants us to do."

When he left Montreal, Domi made it clear he did not believe the lines of communication were open with Habs' head coach Claude Julien. That does not appear to be the case in Columbus.

"There have certainly been conversations with Max as far as our team meetings, just like other players, good and bad," said Tortorella. "But as far as sitting in my office, I just don't do that."

"If we're going to talk about the good or the struggle, we do it in a team setting."

MUST READ

25 minutes ago  |  By Tyler Ball Beloved TNT Analyst Paul Bissonnette Hospitalized After Horrible and Violent Crime: Six Arrested

3 hours ago  |  By Daniel Lucente Canadian Team Reportedly Desperate to Make Massive Trade for a Top Defenseman

6 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Metropolitan Team Acquires Young First-Round Pick From the Nashville Predators

6 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Former Sharks Defenseman Doug Murray Shares Incredible Story About Joe Thornton's Generosity

7 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Shocking Turn of Events in New York: Former 50-Goal Scorer Placed on the Trade Block

8 hours ago  |  By Julien Trekker Longtime NHL Referee Mike Hasenfratz Tragically Passes Away at the Age of 58

9 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch NHL Hopeful Colin Brown Critically Injured in St. Louis Shooting: Community Rallies

12 hours ago  |  By Aaron Itovitch Don Cherry Brutally Calls Out Darnell Nurse for Actions Leading to Ryan Reaves' Suspension

MORE STORIES