The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their anticipated move with Max Domi officially at the start of the 2026-27 NHL season.
Toronto has placed Domi on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), PuckPedia reported, confirming a move expected after months of uncertainty surrounding the veteran forward.
The forward’s recovery from offseason surgery continues as he suffered some complications, which led to his placement on LTIR along with teammate Dakota Joshua.
Domi underwent surgery to address an undisclosed lingering injury he played through last season. Toronto revealed in May that complications from the procedure would keep him out indefinitely.
The possibility of an LTIR placement had subsequently become part of Toronto’s salary-cap outlook. Domi carries a $3.75 million cap hit, while Joshua carries a $3.25 million hit. Their placements on LTIR give the Maple Leafs $7 million in short-term spending flexibility.
That said, LTIR will force both players to miss at least 10 games and 24 days. Domi, however, has no timetable for a return and had already been expected to miss significantly more time.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka already confirmed before training camp that Domi wouldn’t participate while the team continued evaluating his recovery.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Domi recorded 12 goals and 24 assists for 36 points across 80 games last season. The 31-year-old is in the third season of the four-year, $15 million contract.
Domi and Joshua join goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and defenseman Cade Webber on Toronto’s LTIR, with the Maple Leafs now having an open active-roster spot and, after those two moves, enough cap flexibility to recall another player if they choose.
Toronto continues its season on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators after splitting their first two games of the campaign.
