Wrong Idea About Maccelli, He Will Be Key Contributor To Maple Leafs

Matias Maccelli broke in with the Arizona Coyotes (now Utah Mammoth) and, after a 23-game trial, broke out and played very well for two seasons, putting up 49 points in 64 games and 57 points in 82 games. That changed when his role changed last season and he ended up sitting in the press box at times and struggling. But there was more to it.

According to David Pagnotta, "I know a lot of people said...he was benched in Utah...[but] he was benched because he asked for a trade. He wanted out mid-season." Maccelli scored just eight goals and 18 points in 55 games in his final season with the Mammoth before the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired him for just a 2-27 third-round pick in the summer.

Maccelli isn't in the same situation and is now playing in the top-6 of Toronto with elite players. It is a completely different outlook for him and a very good reason to expect a bounce-back. He is very quick and a great passer, now playing with a former 69-goal scorer and a 29-goal scorer from last season.

Maccelli's new role on the Maple Leafs and his two seasons before 2024-25 point to the benching in Utah being based on his lack of a future with the team, not his skill or ability. He already kicked off the season with an assist in his first game. It will likely be one of many, not only this season, but moving forward with Toronto.

The Maple Leafs have Maccelli under contract for just this season at a good price of $3.425 million AAV, but he is an RFA and the cap is projected to be going up by a lot. There should be no problem signing one of their key offseason additions that was brought in to help replace lost production.