Maple Leafs forward must convert flash into steady play to convince Craig Berube

One of the players with a mixed performance for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season is Matias Maccelli. The Finnish player has three goals and four assists for seven points in 13 games, with an average five-on-five time on ice of 12:04 per game.

Maccelli, 25, had a revenge game last Wednesday against the Utah Mammoth. He scored the winning goal and had an assist in 12:07 of ice time. However, the winger must do more to be a regular in Craig Berube's lineup.

The forward arrived in Toronto after being traded from Utah for a conditional third-round pick. He started on the top line with Matthew Kniews and Auston Matthews, but as the season has progressed, he has moved down lines and even was a healthy scratch for one game.

Maccelli will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, and his performance will define whether the Maple Leafs' front office offers him a long-term extension.

What Mattias Maccelli must do to earn a place with the Maple Leafs

The Finnish player must turn his flashes of play into consistency and maintain a high compete level every night in duels, second chances and closing the gap to the puck.

Maccelli needs to execute a sustained two-way game: an orderly backtrack, coverages in the neutral zone and supporting defensemen on breakouts. To convince Berube, he must also increase his physical engagement without taking penalties, something the coach values.

It would be ambitious to expect massive offensive production from Maccelli, but he needs to make his impact felt every time he's on the ice. Winning at least one duel, making a good defensive read, and executing a clean breakout/entry will earn him credit to become a more reliable option.

Some practical indicators to measure his progress are: clean exits/entries, fewer turnovers, more high-danger passes, and contributions on special teams if given the opportunity.