The Toronto Maple Leafs may have another injury situation to monitor after their preseason opener against the Montreal Canadiens.
Forward Dakota Joshua was absent from the split-squad matchup, and head coach Jim Hiller offered only a brief and unclear explanation when asked about the veteran forward’s status.
According to Leafs reporter Mark Masters, Hiller simply said Joshua was “dealing with something,” providing no further details about the nature or severity of the issue.
The limited update has left plenty of questions surrounding the 30-year-old forward. Joshua battled multiple health issues last season, appearing in only 55 games, including a lengthy absence caused by a kidney laceration. However, there has been no indication that his latest setback is connected to that previous injury.
The timing of the issue could be significant for Joshua. With Toronto’s preseason schedule shortened and several depth forwards fighting for roster spots, every missed opportunity could impact his chances of securing a place in the lineup for opening night.
The Maple Leafs are scheduled to return to action Wednesday with another split-squad preseason matchup against the Ottawa Senators. If Joshua remains unavailable, the missed practice and game time could put him at a disadvantage in a competitive battle for roster positions. The expectation, however, is that he will be healthy enough to be available when Toronto begins the regular season against Montreal.
Joshua Injury Could Create Salary Cap Decision for Maple Leafs
The biggest question facing Toronto is what happens if Joshua’s injury keeps him out longer than expected.
A short-term placement on injured reserve would remove him from the active roster, but it would not provide the Maple Leafs with significant salary-cap flexibility. If the injury proves serious enough to qualify for long-term injured reserve, however, Toronto could gain additional room under the salary ceiling and potentially carry another player.
That possibility could become important for a Maple Leafs team expected to operate with limited cap space.
Joshua is entering the third year of his four-year, $13 million contract and carries an annual cap hit of $3.25 million through the 2027-28 season. At this point, there is no evidence that his current issue is severe enough to require LTIR, but the lack of details surrounding his condition makes the situation worth monitoring.
If Joshua returns quickly, the Maple Leafs can move forward without major changes. If the injury turns out to be more serious, management may have to make difficult decisions regarding roster construction and cap flexibility.
Pressure Builds in Important Season for Joshua
Joshua’s health situation carries extra importance because this season could be a defining one in Toronto.
The forward earned his contract after recording a career-best 32 points in 63 games with the Vancouver Canucks. However, his first season with the Maple Leafs was a step back statistically, as he recorded 18 points in 55 games while dealing with injuries.
For a player expected to provide physicality and reliability in a bottom-six role, staying healthy will be crucial.
Toronto also has increased competition for depth roles, meaning Joshua may need to quickly prove he can return to the impactful style that made him an attractive signing. If injuries continue to limit his availability, the Maple Leafs could eventually explore other roster options.
One potential route would involve attempting to place him on waivers and assign him to the AHL. Because Joshua is waiver-eligible, Toronto would have to expose him to the rest of the league before making that move.
Whether another team would claim his contract remains uncertain, but having that possibility available gives the Maple Leafs another option if roster decisions become difficult.
For now, the focus remains on the severity of Joshua’s undisclosed issue. Toronto will be hoping the forward’s absence is only temporary, because a more serious injury could force the team into an unexpected roster and salary-cap decision before the season begins.