Maple Leafs Already Bit By Injury Bug as Key Forward Begins Training Camp on Sidelines

With training camp officially underway, it's no surprise that Auston Matthews and Max Domi have already been skating for over a week.

Unfortunately, this morning, Brad Treliving told reporters that Max Domi is day-to-day with a lower body injury injury, meaning that he won't be a full participant to begin training camp.

The hope is that Domi is back within the next few days, but it's still a setback for the Maple Leafs.

Training camp is the time to see where players fit in the lineup, and for some, whether they make the lineup at all. While Domi is almost certain to be on the opening night roster, missing the start of camp is never ideal and can have a player feeling like they're a little bit behind the rest of the pack.

For months, Leafs fans have speculated about who will join Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies on the first line, with Domi's name consistently at the top of the list.

Craig Berube confirmed this morning that Domi is a frontrunner for the gig, as the team wants a playmaker up there alongside Matthews and Knies.

The good news is that this isn't expected to be a long-term issue. With the injury labeled day-to-day, Domi will likely be back within a week. He's already been training and skating this offseason, so the Leafs hope he can quickly step back in and build chemistry with his linemates.

While his absence isn't ideal, it does create an opportunity for others to get a look at that coveted top-line role. But for the Leafs, the bigger picture remains the same: they'll need Domi healthy and ready to contribute if this team is going to make a serious push this season.