Max Domi's status for the 2026-27 season has reached around real 'grey area' according to Nick Alberga, with Domi expected to start the season on injured reserve.
Domi's status for the upcoming season has been a talking point ever since it was revealed that he had back surgery which led to complications leading to him being unable to walk. Though he's past those issues now, he'd been ruled out until training camp, where he would be evaluated further.
Despite making some public appearances, Domi doesn't seem to be getting back into the swing of things just yet, and Leafs Morning Take's Nick Alberga revealed a bit more information regarding his prognosis - and it's not positive.
Domi is expected to miss camp and the start of the season at minimum
Alberga explained that in speaking to several sources close to the situation, that there's a 'grey area' when it comes to Domi's future with the team, and that it may be the end of the line for the veteran:
I can tell you he's expected to miss camp and the start of the season, and that's at the very least. I double, triple, quadruple checked with people who would be in the know - a lot of grey area on Max Domi.
I don't know if or when we are going to see this guy wear a Maple Leafs uniform again, that's what I'm driving at. No confirmation but it's very likely he starts the year on LTIR.
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That would be an unfortunate turn of events for Domi, who is clearly trying to fight hard to get back on the ice. If he's going to be missing the beginning of the season, that could lead him to being out until potentially December, or even extend into 2027.
What's scarier is that Alberga mentioned that it may be the last time Domi wears a Maple Leafs uniform, so there's a genuine concern, at least from some, that his issues will cut his career in Toronto short.
Speaking of, Domi's Toronto tenure has been a mixed bag. Despite putting up 47 points in 80 games his first season, his production dropped off with 33 points in 2024-25 and a slightly better 36 points in 2025-26.
LTIR would give Toronto cap relief it needs before September 29
But if there's one thing that we can point to as a benefit for the Maple Leafs regarding Domi's injury is that they can put him on LTIR and open up some much needed cap space.
Now, it doesn't solve their contract issues, and would still need to dump one in order to add a player, but it would at least leave them cap compliant and have some minor flexibility. Domi makes $3.75M and Toronto is currently $2.75M over the cap, so placing him there gives the team $1M to work with.
Keep in mind though that relief is only available to them so long as Domi stays on LTIR, and if he gets healthy or is cleared to play at any point this season, then the team needs to find the space to pay for his cap hit.
With the Maple Leafs still lacking one final piece up front, perhaps a name like Patrik Laine or Vladimir Tarasenko, they need the flexibility to sign any PTO options, and putting Domi on injured reserve helps with that with only a few weeks left before the season starts.
It's truly unfortunate that Domi had to deal with this post-surgery situation, and despite not having the best time as a Maple Leaf is still a beloved locker room leader who has an iconic standing in the franchise based off his last name alone.
But Toronto can actually benefit from Max Domi's situation, and right now they need as much help as they can get.
Do you think Max Domi's time in Toronto could be considered a failure?
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