3 Reasons Maccelli Could Surprise the Maple Leafs This Season

When the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli from the Utah Hockey Club, it barely made a ripple. After all, the 24-year-old Finnish winger was coming off a tough season, just eight goals and 18 points in 55 games. But this low-key deal might quietly become one of the Maple Leafs’ smartest gambles.

Here are three reasons Maccelli could surprise fans and critics alike this season.

Reason One: Maccelli Has Done It Before—At a High Level

Maccelli’s struggles in Utah mask how effective he was in Arizona. In his first full NHL season (2022–23), he scored 49 points in just 64 games and finished fourth in Calder Trophy voting. The next year, he improved to 57 points. This isn’t a player hoping to find his ceiling—he’s already touched it. With the right opportunity and usage, there’s a path back to that production.

Reason Two: Maccelli Is a Creative Playmaker with Top-Six Upside

At his best, Maccelli is a slick puck distributor with high-end vision and poise. He’s not a burner or a heavy hitter, but his hands and passing instincts could mesh well with Toronto’s top scorers. With Mitch Marner’s departure, there’s at least one open slot in the top six—and Maccelli could be the sleeper candidate to fill it, especially if he clicks in camp with Auston Matthews or John Tavares.

Reason Three: The Pressure Is Off Maccelli, Well, Sort Of

Toronto’s front office isn’t banking on Maccelli. That’s actually to his benefit. He won’t be under the microscope the way others are, and with his cap hit expiring after this season, the Maple Leafs have flexibility. If he bounces back, he’s a bargain. If he doesn’t, they move on. That kind of situation can be freeing for a player trying to reset.