Max Domi failed his physical and is out indefinitely, John Chayka confirmed, and the Maple Leafs lose a forward before camp even starts.
David Pagnotta put it out this morning and the post has already pushed past 9,500 views.
The reporting goes further than the announcement. He is expected to miss camp and a chunk of the season, according to sources.
None of this came from nowhere. The club's own injury note already had him down with a back issue and out until at least November 3.
What Toronto loses is real but not enormous. Thirty six points across 80 games on a $3.75 million cap hit.
The other number is harder to look at. He finished the year at minus-29.
That is the kind of rating a roster produces when it allows 299 goals in a season. Nobody escapes math like that clean.
Leafs GM John Chayka says F Max Domi failed his physical and is out indefinitely.
Expected to miss camp and a chunk of the season, per sources.
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Maple Leafs lose Max Domi indefinitely in devastating pre-camp setback
The first overall pick was reportedly opening camp lower in the lineup, with a veteran taking the early top line minutes. A hole just opened above him.
Jack Roslovic was the name being penciled in beside Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. He scored five game winners last season while making $1.5 million.
The captain needs help wherever it comes from. Fifty three points in 60 games is not what $13.25 million usually buys.
William Nylander did his part with 79 points and still finished at -14. That tells you everything about the year behind them.
The younger winger fared worse. Knies landed at minus-30 despite 66 points, and John Tavares came in at -28 while scoring 31 times at 35.
The medical room is getting crowded too. Chris Tanev, Dakota Joshua and Zack MacEwen are all listed day to day and questionable for the opener.
Behind all of it sits the crease. Sergei Bobrovsky arrives at $10 million on the back of a .876 save percentage.
The record was 32-36-14, good for 28th overall, and they closed the year on seven straight losses. That is the starting point.
So how does a team this thin afford to lose anybody in September?
Failing a physical before camp is like finding the spare tire flat before a road trip. Nobody is stranded yet. You just know how the week is going.
Chayka spent all summer adding bodies to the bottom of that lineup. Jim Hiller is about to find out how many of them can actually stand up.
Should the Maple Leafs hand Gavin McKenna top six minutes now that Max Domi is out?
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