Matias Maccelli joins Toronto Maple Leaf: Smart bets or rosters are not right? – Hockey Writer – Toronto Maple Leaf

When Toronto Maple Leafs obtained Matias Maccelli, the reaction was separated. For those familiar with his game, there are plenty to like – especially if he can bounce back to his early form. But for many fans, McKelly is an unknown person, and that’s uncertain. Is Maple Leaf a wise move for skilled organizers or does it bring a questionable fit to a team trying to reshape their identity?

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Here’s what we think Maple Leaf fans should know about the talented Finnish winger.

Maccelli’s early career and rises to the NHL

Maccelli was born on October 14, 2000 in Turku, Finland. He played junior hockey in the Dubuque Fighting Saints game in the USHL. In his last USHL season, he scored 31 goals and added 41 assists in 62 games, scoring a total of 72 points.

McKelly returned to Finland to play for Finnish Liiga after the Arizona Coyotes ranked 98th in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL draft. There, he scored 13 goals, 17 assists and 30 points in 43 games, winning the Rookie of the Year award. He improved in his second Liiga season, scoring 15 goals and amassed 39 points in 51 games.

Macelli’s transition to North America and NHL debut

Maccelli started the 2021-22 season with Tucson Roadrunners, a member of the American Hockey League (AHL) in Arizona, where he performed better than 57 points in 47 games (14 goals and 43 assists) than at a pace per game. He was called to the NHL in March 2022 to finish the season with Arizona, where he scored one goal and five assists in 23 games.

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In his first full NHL season, McKelly scored 11 goals and added 38 assists to score 49 points in 64 games, earning a vote from NHL’s Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). In the 2023-24 season, he followed closely with 17 goals and 57 points.

Macelli’s Recent Struggle and Trading Maple Leaf

When the Coyotes ceased operations after the 2023-24 season, assets including Maccelli were transferred to the Utah Hockey Club. Unfortunately, his production in Utah dropped drastically, with his ice time falling from 16:14 to 13:44, while his output dropped to just eight goals and 18 points in 55 games.

Maccelli, in the second year of a three-year, quarterly $3.425 million contract, lost in Utah. He was subsequently traded to the Maple Leafs for conditional draft picks: a third-round pick in 2027 or a second-round pick in 2029. If Maccelli scored over 50 points in Toronto this season, this is the second round of promotion.

What does MacCelli bring to maple leaves?

Getting MacCelli is a bit of a gambling. To justify his $3.425 million blocking percentage, he needs to return to his 49-57 points from the Coyote era. If he was closer to him in his 18-point season in Utah, the deal could be considered a bad deal.

Maple Leafs are not heavily blocked for the first time in nine seasons, allowing them to take this currency risk. Maccelli’s contract expires after the upcoming season, bringing Toronto’s flexibility forward.

Play style and fit the team

If Maccelli wants to change the “DNA” of Maple Leafs, then you expect the type of player that General Manager Brad Treliving. He doesn’t seem to fit in with head coach Craig Berube’s preference for bigger, more physical forwards. The question is whether he became another Nicolas Robertson, with an offensive style but fighting for Ice Time.

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Last season, Maccelli was 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds and scored only six hits in 55 games. His gift rate is two and a half times higher than his takeaway rate (167 gifts to 66 takeaways). Maccelli is not ready to take over Mitch Marner’s role in the penalty kill.

Maccelli Games Advantages and Areas of Improvement

Where Maccelli shines is the hockey distribution. Looking at his highlight reels reminiscent of Mana’s style – excellent vision and precise accuracy. Although Marner is right-handed and Maccelli is left-handed, he is listed as left-wing and left-wing, so it’s still possible that he’ll slide to Auston Matthews’ right-wing.

That said, if Maccelli wants to maintain consistent ice time under Berube, he will need to defend and adapt to a more physical approach to the game. Since Robertson is already qualified, it is worth mentioning whether Berube wants another undersized forward in a lineup that he prefers to emphasize size and courage.

The most important thing is: McKelly is talented, but can he bring consistency?

Maccelli is a talented but inconsistent winger with clear offensive skills but involves defensive play and physical issues. Maple Leaf has cap space to seize his chances, but this season is crucial for Maccelli to prove that he can deliver at a high level and play a meaningful role in the team.

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If he could get close to his Calder Trophy candidate season, he could be a steal for the Maple Leafs.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]