Welcome back to another edition of NHL Rumours with the crew here at Last Word On Hockey. The Toronto Maple Leafs are looking to shake up their roster and improve their forward core. General manager Brad Treliving’s off-season acquisitions have not been playing to their potential or as the Leafs expected. Matias Maccelli is a player who has completely flopped for the Leafs. The Finnish native was expected to slot into the top six on a line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. He did not fit well on the line and hasn’t formed chemistry with any line in the Leafs’ forward group.
NHL Rumours: Bruins Interested in Maccelli
Rumour: From recent 32 Thoughts the Podcast, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed Matias Maccelli’s future with the Maple Leafs. Elliotte Friedman mentioned that the Bruins have expressed interest in Matias Maccelli last summer when he was available.
Analysis: Maccelli did not work out for the Maple Leafs, and Brad Treliving is looking to move on from his cap hit, and free a roster spot. The Bruins have had a strong season so far, siting third in the Atlantic Division with a 19-13-0 record. GM Cam Neely could be looking to add more depth scoring and firepower to the lineup.
Maccelli’s Tenure with the Leafs
Maccelli was given a golden opportunity in Toronto this season when he was traded from the Mammoth. The Leafs saw a skilled forward who has had success in the NHL. During the 2022-23 campaign, Maccelli put up 49 points in 64 games. In 2023-24, Maccelli improved his numbers by tallying 57 points in 82 games. He struggled last season with Utah, and it seems to have gotten worse in Toronto. This season with the Leafs, he has produced four goals and nine points in 22 games for a player projected to be in the top six. Those numbers do not cut it.
Berube does not see fit with him in the Leafs’ lineup, and Maccelli has been a healthy scratch in games as of late. Berube has been upfront about Maccelli’s play and how he feels about him going forward. “We put him in the Washington game, and there wasn’t a lot there… I thought he struggled.”
Why it Makes Sense
This would be a deal that makes sense for both squads. The Leafs who currently sit sixth in the Atlantic Division are looking to shake up their roster, while they have been playing better as of late this team is not good enough to make it over the hump. With Matias Maccelli moving from the roster the Leafs could look to add some draft capital which they are deeply lacking. Moving on from Maccelli would also clear up some cap space the Leafs could need to add a top 6 forward. He is the final season of his contract which he makes $3.425 million per season. The Leafs have just over $3 million in cap space moving Maccelli would put them close to $7 million.
For a Bruins team that has looked solid this year, making a move for Maccelli would be very low risk. The Bruins would not need to give up much to acquire Maccelli likely a third or fourth round pick. Maccelli does not fit in Berube’s game which has costed him ice time. Marco Sturm could use Maccelli in other ways that could benefit both sides of the party. Maccelli could fit on either the second or third line with players such as: David Pastrnak, Fraser Minten, Pavel Zacha, or Casey Mittelstadt.
The Deal That Needs to Happen
In the end, a trade involving Matias Maccelli could be a win-win for both the Maple Leafs and the Bruins. Toronto clears cap space, creates a roster spot, and potentially gains draft assets to bolster their forward depth, while Boston adds a skilled player who could complement their middle-six forward group. For Maccelli, a fresh start in a new system may be exactly what he needs to regain his scoring touch and confidence.
Main Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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