Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving bought low on Maccelli, trading the Mammoth a conditional third-round draft pick in 2027 that converts to a second-round pick if Maccelli reaches at least 51 points. That seems like it should be easily attainable, considering Maccelli had a career-high 57 points two seasons ago.
But Maccelli fell out of favour in Utah last season, watching as his ice time plunged by two and a half minutes per game (when he was not a healthy scratch). He mustered just eight goals and 18 points in 55 games.
“When you look at some of the areas that we (needed) to address, playmaking ability was one of them,” Treliving told reporters over the summer. “We think there’s a bet here on a player (who) we think can rebound from the season he had (last) year (alongside) some of the players (who) we have. … We just felt at the price that it cost us that this was a chance for (us to acquire) a young player who’s got some dynamic skill and ability. It was certainly worth the bet.”
When Maccelli led all rookies with 38 assists in 2022-23, he was one of the NHL’s most precise passers, completing 51.5 per cent of his passes to the slot. That ranked 35th out of 250 forwards who attempted at least 100 slot passes that season. He completed a combined 47.1 per cent of his slot passes across the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, which led to 28 of his 78 assists over that span.
Maccelli’s accuracy, however, dipped significantly last season; he finished at 41.7 per cent — 170th out of 266 forwards with at least 100 slot-pass attempts. And when Maccelli did get the puck to the slot for Utah, he set up fewer one-timers. Roughly 14 per cent of his pass attempts that traveled to that section of the ice led to one-timers, compared to 17.8 per cent in 2022-23 and 16.3 per cent between 2022 and 2024.
It is important to note that Maccelli has never played with the calibre of linemates he is expected to have in Toronto. For most of his time in the Utah/Arizona organization, Maccelli shared the ice at even strength with Nick Bjugstad and Lawson Crouse, neither of whom are known for their goal-scoring prowess. Maccelli, for his part, helped bring out the best in both players. He assisted on 25 of Crouse’s 47 goals during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, including 19 primary assists.
The Maple Leafs need someone to fill Marner’s spot in the top six, and Maccelli could be the leading candidate. Maccelli could slot in on the right side of the first line alongside Auston Matthews, whose offensive bona fides are indisputable, and Matthew Knies, one of the league’s most dangerous net-front scorers. Knies recorded 23 inner-slot goals last season, tied for third-most behind only Tampa Bay Lightning forwards Jake Guentzel and Brayden Point.
“I would definitely love that,” Maccelli told reporters about potentially being partnered with Matthews. “Playing with a guy like that would be great, so I’ll make sure I’ll be in shape. If I get a chance to play with (Matthews) or any of the top guys in Toronto, that would be super good.”
Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube could also put Maccelli with John Tavares and William Nylander, Toronto’s top two goal scorers from last season, to solidify the second line. Tavares and Nylander’s top linemate in 2024-25, Max Pacioretty, is unsigned, while Pontus Holmberg, who also saw extended time on Tavares and Nylander’s line, is now with the Lightning. Bobby McMann, another frequent linemate, does not possess Maccelli’s playmaking ability.
Marner’s departure will loom over the Maple Leafs if the team struggles to generate offence at any point. Toronto is banking on a bounce-back season from Maccelli to help prevent that from happening.
“I still know I’m a better player than I was (last season),” Maccelli told reporters after joining the Maple Leafs. “I know I’ve (still got it) in me. Now I’ve just got to show people that again.”
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