Maple Leafs Trade Candidate Unable to Walk After Surgery: Report

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Max Domi has built a reputation as one of the NHL‘s most durable players. Twice, in 2017-18 and 2019-20, he led the league in games played.

Last season, Domi played 80 games and was listed as a healthy scratch in the other two. But perhaps there was more to the story than he or the Maple Leafs let on.

On May 24, the Leafs released a cryptic statement about Domi, saying he will be out indefinitely as a result of complications from a surgery “to address an issue he played through during the 2025-26 season.”

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Domi, 31, was set to be re-evaluated at the start of training camp. But according to a new report, the initial evaluation could hardly be worse.

“Something went terribly wrong with the surgery,” wrote Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun. “Whatever happened here wasn't deemed successful. Apparently, Domi could not walk in the days following surgery, which created significant alarm. His status remains in doubt for the coming season.”

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Simmons, citing anonymous sources, reported that Domi chose his own surgeon to do the operation rather than the one the Maple Leafs had in mind.

Although that isn’t unusual, the outcome of his procedure is. Simmons also reported that Domi’s surgery was focused on his back.

Domi is under contract to Toronto for two more seasons at a cap hit of $3.75 million per year ($3 million per season in actual salary). That made him a potential trade candidate under new general manager John Chayka - but only if healthy.

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Domi contributed 12 goals, 24 assists and 95 penalty minutes to the Maple Leafs last season. In 815 regular season games, Domi has 150 goals, 336 assists and 801 penalty minutes.

The son of legendary enforcer Tie Domi, Max Domi played for the Arizona Coyotes, Montreal Canadiens, Columbus Blue Jackets, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars before signing with Toronto as a free agent in July 2023.

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This story was originally published May 31, 2026 at 11:08 AM.