Max Domi's Return Timeline Comes Into Focus for the Maple Leafs

When news broke that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi was already injured before camp even started, it felt like Groundhog Day when it comes to hearing about injuries and illnesses.

It hasn't slowed the injury bug any as several more players are dealing with issues including Joseph Woll.

It's getting a bit worrisome because Toronto needs to be healthy all round if they wanna succeed and with their first preseason game on Sunday; we need these players at their best.

So thankfully we have some good news regarding Domi thanks to Maple Leafs insider Jesse Blake:

Domi has been absent since Wednesday's camp opened up and while it doesn't seem like it's anything to really be concerned with, we felt that way last year with Berube and look how that turned out at times.

But with Domi not travelling with the group headed to Ottawa, it at least gives him time to heal at his own pace and not feel like he needs to rush himself to get back on the ice for the team; something that definitely had a hand in the teams' injury woes last year.

But with such an intense training camp competition and guys like Matias Maccelli and even Easton Cowan who are looking to stamp their name on solidifying themselves with a role this season get the chance with Domi out.

The focus on Maccelli is especially interesting because of the debate back and forth between whether Domi or him should be on the first line with Auston Matthews; Domi has the experience edge but Maccelli offers a ton of versatility and exceptional playmaking more akin to a Marner-style player.

Him coming back after a preseason game though it going to make things harder for him because those competing with him already have a leg up both in their health and with in-game reps.

Domi needs as much help as possible if he wants to bounce back from last year; he only posted 33 points which was some of his worst numbers ever and did not play up to his $3.75-million per year extension he signed a couple years ago.

But for now, the fact of the matter is that Max Domi is getting healthy and on the road to recovery.

Let's just hope he stays on that path and doesn't start to wander into injury territory again.