Max Domi, the Toronto Maple Leafs forward, is at a crossroads in his NHL career after a recent report has come out regarding his surgery. The Maple Leafs had announced last week that Domi had undergone surgery to take care of an issue which bothered him during the 2025-26 season.

While Toronto hadn’t given out any details about the surgical procedure, they did mention that he would be out of action indefinitely due to complications arising from it.

“Whatever happened here wasn’t deemed successful," Toronto Sun journalist Steve Simmons had put an uncertain outlook on his future with the Maple Leafs. "Apparently, Domi could not walk in the days following surgery, which created significant alarm. His status remains in doubt for the coming season.”

The news website reported that Domi had undergone surgery on his back, and in the immediate aftermath, he wasn’t able to walk for a few days. It also mentioned that the Canadian player had made a decision to go with his own surgeon for the procedure rather than what the Maple Leafs had suggested to him.

Notably, in the recent season of the NHL, Domi missed just the first two games for the Maple Leafs despite battling an issue. That’s why the initial announcement from the franchise about him being out of action indefinitely ahead of the new season came as a shock to many.

According to the Toronto Sun, the situation surrounding Domi is very serious and has the potential to alter his career forever. However, he will keep working closely with the club's medical team before being reevaluated prior to training camp in September.

Max Domi’s career at the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL

Max Domi joined the Maple Leafs as a free agent ahead of the 2023-24 season, signing a one-year deal after leaving the Dallas Stars. After an impressive first season with the Maple Leafs, in which he scored 47 points (9G / 38A) in 80 games, he agreed to a four-year contract with them.

In the 2024-25 season, he played 74 games for 33 points (8G / 25A) with Toronto to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second year running. During his 20 playoff games across both seasons, he managed to put together 11 points for four goals and seven assists without making the East Final either time.

During a tough 2025-26 season on a physical standpoint, Domi scored 36 points (12G / 23A), but the Maple Leafs missed out on the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

With Toronto already in the midst of an elongated search for a new head coach after sacking Craig Berube, the report on Domi’s status will add to their troubles as well.

At 31 years old, he is set to begin the third year of his four-year contract with Toronto.

What do you make of Max Domi’s fitness status ahead of the 2026-27 season for the Toronto Maple Leafs? Tell us in the comments.

Read more at NHL Fan Central.

Written by

Arjun Sharma

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar