A revealed major injury setback for the Maple Leafs appears to be why they acquired Kirill Marchenko

Max Domi and Dakota Joshua are both sidelined as Jim Hiller prepares the Toronto Maple Leafs for opening night.

The injury picture has taken a sharp turn just before the regular season. General manager John Chayka confirmed Domi remains out long term, while Joshua is now dealing with a core issue.

Domi's situation is the heavier blow. He underwent offseason surgery after playing through an injury last season, then failed his physical when Toronto opened training camp.

There is still no firm return date. That takes an experienced forward out of Hiller's lineup and forces Toronto to open the year without another option capable of moving around the top nine.

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Joshua's situation has also moved in the wrong direction. He has been skating, but Chayka said the forward is dealing with a core issue that will keep him out week to week.

That designation effectively takes the conversation beyond a minor training-camp absence. Toronto now has to plan its early schedule without a physical winger who can handle bottom-six minutes.

Toronto's forward depth takes an early hit

The timing creates an immediate lineup squeeze for Hiller. The Maple Leafs have spent camp sorting through new combinations, and two established forwards being unavailable changes the competition before the first puck drop.

Domi's absence had already been hanging over the club. The latest update removes any expectation of a quick return and leaves Toronto waiting for meaningful progress before putting him back into the mix.

Joshua adds a different problem. His game brings size and pressure along the walls, giving the coaching staff a heavier option when constructing the bottom six.

Now those minutes have to go elsewhere. Players battling for jobs suddenly have a clearer path, while Hiller has fewer proven choices available when setting his opening lineup.

For Toronto, that's the real sting. Training camp is supposed to settle roster questions. Instead, two injuries have created new ones right before the games begin to count.

Domi is facing the longer road, and Joshua isn't coming back immediately either. The Maple Leafs will start their season with their forward depth already being tested.

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