Max Domi's recovery has become an early concern for Jim Hiller after complications from back surgery left the Leafs forward unable to walk.
Domi underwent the procedure in the spring after playing through a nagging injury during Toronto's 2025-26 season. The expectation was that surgery would finally allow him to get healthy.
Instead, Steve Simmons reported that complications followed the operation and Domi couldn't walk in the days afterward. Exact details surrounding what went wrong haven't been made public.
There has since been encouraging progress. Domi can now walk without issue, but his recovery continues and his availability for the start of the 2026-27 season remains uncertain.
The forward appeared in 80 games last season, scoring 12 goals while adding 24 assists. He managed that workload despite dealing with the injury that eventually required surgery.
Toronto is expected to get a clearer assessment when training camp begins. Until Domi receives medical clearance, there is no firm timeline for his return to hockey activities.
Domi's recovery now takes priority in Toronto
The Leafs can't treat this like a standard offseason rehab after what happened immediately following the procedure. His progression back toward skating and contact will have to come in stages.
Toronto's restructured sports performance department now faces one of its first major assignments. Once Domi is cleared to advance, the focus will shift toward rebuilding strength, movement and hockey conditioning without rushing the process.
Hiller does have more flexibility than he might have had in previous seasons. Toronto added forward depth this summer, giving the coaching staff options if Domi isn't ready for opening night.
That doesn't make his absence insignificant. Domi can move around the bottom six, provide offense from a secondary role and give the Leafs another experienced option when injuries or lineup changes hit.
The larger concern is no longer the original back issue alone. Being unable to walk after surgery turns his recovery into something that deserves patience rather than an aggressive target date.
There is also no indication yet that Domi will miss the entire season. Training camp should provide the next meaningful checkpoint and show how far he has progressed since the frightening days following the operation.
For Toronto, the priority is simple: get Domi healthy enough that his return lasts. After an offseason procedure produced an unexpected setback, forcing him back into the lineup before his body is ready would solve nothing.
Source : Max Domi left unable to walk after surgery complications
Should Toronto keep Max Domi out until he is fully cleared regardless of the season timeline?
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