Matias Maccelli’s ‘revenge game’ needs to spark consistent production

Matias Maccelli loved playing against his old team. Now, we wait to see if the momentum can carry over.

It’s been a rocky start to his Maple Leafs’ career for the 25-year-old winger, however, earlier this week against the Utah Mammoth, Maccelli was rock solid. In 12:07 of action, Maccelli scored the game-winning game, he had one assist, and several times throughout the night he showed off some elite vision with his ability to pass the puck.

Maccelli can distribute the rock, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s all the other intangibles away from the puck that head coach Craig Berube hasn’t necessarily been happy with. Maccelli has had a very up-and-down start in Toronto after being brought over from Utah for a conditional third-round pick. He started training camp on the top line with Matthew Knies and Auston Matthews, that didn’t last long. Berube wasn’t thrilled with Maccelli’s compete level without the puck and his ability to retrieve the biscuit for his linemates. Down the lineup he went, and even up to the press box for a game, but Maccelli, Berube, and the rest of the organization are hopeful that’s old news, and he’ll gain a ton of steam after playing his best game of the season against his former club.

“I thought he was competitive all over the ice,” Berube told reporters after the Leafs beat the Mammoth 5-2 Wednesday. “Ended up getting one and one [goal and assist], but, for me, it’s like, just watching him and how he competed on pucks all night, I thought he was really good.”

Maccelli felt some added pressure playing against Utah, and wasn’t shy after the game to reveal that there was extra motivation to contribute, and come away with the two points.

“Personally, it felt even better doing it against my old team, and getting that game-winner too. It feels really good.”

Berube also went on to praise Maccelli’s playmaking abilities, and admitted that’s why the Leafs picked him up in the first place, but as many are aware, if you don’t work hard, compete for pucks, play a sound two-way game, and finish your check when you’re able to, Berube won’t trust your game. The Leafs’ bench boss is hopeful that Maccelli’s found a new home alongside Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua on the Maple Leafs’ third line, but in an ideal world, he plays well enough to push himself up to the top six.

Maccelli was originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Coyotes back in 2019, he spent four years with the franchise, and is coming off a down year with just 18 points in 55 games. His career best season came in 2023-24, when he posted 17 goals, and 57 points in 82 games as a 23-year-old.

While last season was forgettable for the Turku, Finland native, Brad Treliving saw something in his game, his upside, and despite the up-and-down start to his Leafs’ career, it certainly feels like Toronto’s GM is going to give him the entire season and Stanley Cup Playoffs to make his mark on the franchise, which could potentially lead to a long-term contract extension. Maccelli’s a pending restricted free agent and it’s the 2025-26 season is a massive one that could very easily influence the next five years of his NHL career. If he can carve himself out a role on Berube’s squad and produce consistent secondary offence, next thing you know an extension offer could be coming from Treliving.

Part of Maccelli’s future with the franchise will be influenced by what the team does with Nick Robertson. There’s been plenty of trade rumors once again circling the former second-round pick, and for now, Robertson is playing on the second line with John Tavares and Bobby McMann. With William Nylander loading up the top line, it will be interesting to see how long of a leash Berube gives Robertson in that role. If he’s moved, it’s likely swapped for Maccelli, but with that will come more ice-time, more responsibility, and higher expectations to consistently perform.

Seven points in 13 games isn’t the worst start, but there’s no doubt about it Maccelli has to use his recent success against the Mammoth and string together a strong couple of weeks. It will help him secure Berube’s trust to continue to write his name in the lineup, and it will get Treliving’s attention to be someone who could be in the Leafs’ long-term plans.

While Maccelli can find the scoresheet, it’s all the little things without the puck that are going to have a huge impact on his role with the Maple Leafs.