Maple Leafs’ latest move raises questions about Max Domi’s brutal recovery

Max Domi gutted through 80 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs last season while dealing with a nagging injury, recording 12 goals and 24 assists. But the offseason was supposed to be about getting healthy, and instead it has turned into something far more alarming.

Domi underwent back surgery this spring, and according to Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons, the procedure went seriously wrong. The specific nature of the complications has not been made public, but Simmons reported that Domi was unable to walk in the days following the operation, a development that created significant alarm within the organization.

Simmons also claimed that Domi selected his own surgeon for the procedure, which is not uncommon in the modern NHL but in this case appears to have had severe consequences. The Maple Leafs are not believed to bear responsibility for the choice of doctor.

Domi's availability for the 2026-27 season is now very much in question. He is scheduled to be evaluated at the start of training camp, but as of now, his status remains uncertain.

That timeline places an immediate burden on Toronto's newly overhauled performance and training staff. The Leafs recently brought in Andy O'Brien to lead their Sports Performance department and added several specialists, including Jason Martin as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Josh Crouse as his assistant, Dr. Craig Slaunwhite as Director of Health and Performance Integration, and Dr. Jordan Shallow as a Human Performance Consultant.

Once Domi receives medical clearance to resume hockey activities, it will fall to that group to design a program that rebuilds his strength without pushing him too fast. The organization reportedly understands that medical readiness, not roster need, must dictate the timeline.

Toronto has some flexibility on that front. The club signed enough forward depth this offseason to cover Domi's bottom-six role, and if he is expected to miss at least 10 games, the team could place him on long-term injured reserve for temporary cap relief. That relief would vanish the moment he returns, however, adding a financial wrinkle to any comeback.

Head coach Jim Hiller would also face lineup decisions if Domi returns mid-season. Slotting him back in could displace a younger player like Easton Cowan or bump a new signing from the rotation, and Domi's streaky offensive tendencies make it difficult to guarantee him top-six minutes right away.

The focus remains squarely on Domi's health and long-term well-being rather than any on-ice considerations. His training camp evaluation will be the first real checkpoint in what could be a long road back.