Maple Leafs may not need to look far for Mitch Marner replacement

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a challenge following Mitch Marner’s move to Las Vegas — but the answer might already be on the roster.

Toronto traded for Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth in June in exchange for a 2027 third-round draft pick. The soon-to-be 25-year-old is a creative winger who fits perfectly into the playmaking role left vacant by Marner.

"When you look at some of the areas we need to address, playmaking ability was one of them," Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said in July, via The Athletic.

Why Matias Maccelli could be answer for Maple Leafs

Maccelli arrived in Toronto with a vindication speech. “It’s probably the highest it’s ever been, coming here. I mean, what’s a better place to play?” Matias said on Monday, per Sportsnet.

Although 28-year-old center Nicolas Roy could also be considered as a Marner replacement, it is Maccelli who brings the primary passing component. Furthermore, if the Finnish native performs, it will have been a low-cost, low-risk move by Toronto.

Maccelli has an accessible cap hit of $3.425 million and is entering the final year of a three-year contract. He will become a restricted free agent (RFA) in the 2026 offseason, so the Leafs can make him an offer to maintain negotiation rights.

On paper, he is an ideal successor for Marner. Maccelli fulfills the specific playmaking needs of the Maple Leafs, in addition to having a good cost-benefit agreement.