Maple Leafs Announce Disappointing Top-Six Forward News Before NHL Training Camp

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio Losada | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 1:30 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs opened training camp Wednesday with an immediate setback, as general manager Brad Treliving confirmed an injury to one of Toronto's top-six forwards.

Winger Max Domi, according to Treliving, is sidelined day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Domi is entering the second season of his four-year, $15 million deal with Toronto. He produced 33 points in 74 games last season, adding seven more in 13 playoff contests.

The Maple Leafs GM told reporters on Wednesday, before the start of his media availability ahead of training camp, that Domi tweaked something in recent weeks and will not participate fully in Thursday’s opening session.

“We’ll see how he is tomorrow,” Treliving said. “We anticipate he’s probably not going to start full tomorrow, but hopefully shortly thereafter, he will be good to go.”

Brad Treliving reveals Max Domi is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. He won't be practicing in full capacity Thursday.
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) September 17, 2025

The 30-year-old Leafs winger was one of the potential candidates to move into a top-line role alongside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies following the offseason departure of Mitch Marner.

That possibility, however, is now complicated by his absence, as he will not get the same opportunity to prove himself in camp from the get-go as the rest of his teammates and in-house rivals for that role.

Head coach Craig Berube acknowledged Domi was in line for a look on the first unit but said on Wednesday, per The Hockey News' David Alter, the team will adjust throughout training camp.

“Max not being able to hit the ice tomorrow certainly impacts it a little bit, but I don’t think he’ll be too long and he’ll be back out there,” Berube said. “He’s definitely one of the guys that we consider getting a look there and see what he can do.”

Berube already told Jonas Siegel of The Athletic earlier this offseason that Domi will need to shoot more and play more aggressively if he wants to secure the first-line spot.

"I think Max has to change just his mindset a little bit, playing with those guys on a consistent basis," Berube said. "It’s not always about looking for (Matthews) and finding (Matthews). It’s about Max, him shooting pucks, scoring goals and being that type of player.

"You can’t always just be a one-headed monster. He’s gotta evolve a little bit and do other things out there with those guys. He’s capable of it for sure. It’s just a mindset for me with him."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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