Latest news with #Maccelli
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Maple Leafs need a new winger to play with Auston Matthews. Why they're betting on Matias Maccelli
Matias Maccelli was about to make a putt on a golf course in Turku, Finland when his buddy started screaming that he'd been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs . 'I didn't make that putt, but I still played a decent round,' Maccelli said in an introductory conference call with reporters Monday. 'I was obviously super pumped, excited to be the part of the Leafs.' Maccelli is a 24-year-old, five-foot-11, left-shot playmaking winger who has played both side of the ice. There's a decent chance Maccelli auditions on right wing, in the spot vacated by Mitch Marner. That's prime real estate, given Auston Matthews would be his centre with Matthew Knies on the left wing. 'I would definitely love that,' Maccelli said. 'Playing with guys like that would be great. So I'll make sure I'll be in shape. If I get a chance to play with Auston or any of the top guys in Toronto, that would be super good.' That's probably the idea when GM Brad Treliving acquired him for a conditional third-round pick in 2027. It would become a second-round draft pick in 2029 if Maccelli records at least 51 points in the 2025-26 NHL season. 'We just felt at the price that it cost us that this was a chance for a young player who's got some dynamic skill and ability,' Treliving said recently about the trade. 'It was certainly worth a bet.' It was a buy-low trade for Treliving as he looks around for top-six winger. Maccelli turned into just that three seasons ago in Arizona, with 11 goals, 38 assists that earned him some votes as rookie of the year in 2022-23. He finished fourth in voting for the Calder trophy. He followed that up with 17 goals and 40 assists to finish third in team scoring. But the team's move to Utah brought some bumps, and in particular, bruises. Injuries left him behind the eight-ball, and he fell out of favour with the coaching staff. He averaged just 13 minutes 44 seconds of ice time, the lowest of his career. He ended the season with eight goals, 10 assists and a minus-13. 'It comes down to ice time and opportunity,' Maccelli said. 'It wasn't obviously the best year for me. But I know I'm a better player than (that). I've got it in me so I'll, I've got to show people that again.' Maccelli was at his peak when he was at left wing, with centre Nick Bjugstad and right wing Lawson Crouse. He played more with those two than with any other pair. In the 2023-24 season — the last for the Coyotes — the three were Arizona's top line in terms of possession. No combination of those two without the other fared as well as all three together. So it's perhaps even more likely Maccelli will end up on the left wing with John Tavares. 'He was a player that our staff had been excited about for a while,' Treliving said. 'With some of the players that we have, ultimately it will come down to the fits and the matches and where they all go. So you play around with it on the board.' Maccelli, born in Finland to an American mother whose last name he uses, played two years in the USHL for the Dubuque Fighting Saints. He has represented Finland both on its world junior team and its national senior team. He played in the Finnish top league (for Ilves) and in the American Hockey League before getting the call to the Coyotes. He has yet to play in the Stanley Cup playoffs. 'I've been working a lot this summer on my game, more than previous years,' he said. 'I have to be comfortable again with the puck and making plays. '(Doing) a lot of stuff in the gym trying to get stronger, faster, and then some stuff on the ice. Shooting and passing. Normal stuff. Just trying to get some reps.' He has no links to the Maple Leafs other than Shane Doan, who was an executive in Arizona before joining Treliving's staff. 'I'm super, super excited for this opportunity to play for the Leafs next year. And I can't wait to get going.' Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson was among 11 players who elected for salary arbitration over the weekend. Both sides can continue to negotiate. Arbitration hearings will be held from July 20 to Aug. 4. Robertson also announced he married his girlfriend, Emma. 'Same team forever,' he posted on Instagram.
Toronto Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
With trade to Maple Leafs, Matias Maccelli confident he can rebound from down season
'I know I have it still in me. Now I just have to show people that again.' Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Utah Hockey Club left winger Matias Maccelli moves the puck during a game earlier this year. AP Photo Matias Maccelli's mind started to race. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account As he lined up to make a putt during a round of golf with pals on June 30, one of the group was scrolling on his phone. Suddenly, the friend started to yell with excitement. Maccelli had been traded to the Maple Leafs. 'I didn't make that putt, but still played a decent round,' Maccelli said with a smile on Monday during a Zoom call, his first availability with Leafs beat writers in Toronto since he became a Leaf. 'It was a pretty exciting round the rest (of the day). I was super-pumped and excited to be part of the Leafs.' Speaking from his off-season home in Turku, Finland, the 24-year-old forward said he has been hard at work for several weeks, eager to recover from what was a difficult 2024-25 season with Utah. After piling up 106 points in the previous two seasons combined with the Arizona Coyotes, the move to Salt Lake City with the rest of the organization didn't add up to a smooth transition for Maccelli. He had 18 points in 55 games and was scratched for all but three of Utah's final 26 games. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Maccelli was adamant he can prove last season was an outlier. 'It comes down to ice time and opportunity with the points,' Maccelli said. 'It wasn't the best year for me, but I know I'm a better player (like) I was back in Arizona. 'I know I have it still in me. Now I just have to show people that again.' The Leafs are optimistic that Maccelli — who will wear No. 63 — will rebound. General manager Brad Treliving said last week that the club had him on its radar for a while. Leafs advisor Shane Doan worked with Maccelli in Arizona and, when the opportunity came to acquire the latter, Treliving moved on it, sending a conditional draft pick to the Mammoth. For now, it's a third-round pick in 2027 that belongs to Utah; it becomes a second-round pick in 2029 if the Leafs make the playoffs in 2025-26 and Maccelli records at least 51 points during the regular season. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Along the way to earning a spot on the NHL's all-rookie team in 2022-23, Maccelli demonstrated his playmaking skills and the following year he built on that, recording 40 assists and 57 points. He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $3.425 million US and will be a restricted free agent in the summer of 2026. 'I talked to my agent (Ian Pulver), so I knew there was a couple of teams who were showing interest and Toronto was one of the teams who showed the most,' Maccelli said. 'Right from the start, I told my agent that I would love to play for the Leafs.' Toronto isn't going to completely fill the offensive hole created with the trade of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. With a bit of further financial creativity, Treliving, with close to $5 million under the salary cap now, would like to add a top-six forward during the off-season. There's different names linked the Leafs regularly, whether it's Nazem Kadri, Bryan Rust, Jared McCann or fill-in-the-blank. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One way or another, Maccelli won't be handed a top-six job. He said he's going to be set to take a solid run at one, though. 'I'm definitely ready to do that,' Maccelli said. 'All I can do is show up in good shape and be physically and mentally ready for the season, and then coaching staff will (decide) who's going to play and where. 'Playing with the guy like (captain Auston Matthews) would be great, I would definitely love that, or any of the top guys in Toronto.' Drafted by Arizona in the fourth round in 2019, Maccelli was a teammate of Alex Steeves, who departed the Leafs for the Boston Bruins in free agency last week, with Dubuque of the United States Hockey League. After two seasons with Dubuque, Maccelli returned home to play for Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Liiga before making his North American pro hockey debut with Tucson of the American Hockey League in 2021-22. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Maccelli singled out Lawson Crouse and Nick Bjugstad (who has since signed with St. Louis) as linemates he meshed well with in Arizona before the team moved. Maccelli's last name is from his mother, Antonia, who was born in Florida, and her side of the family. We imagine Maccelli would rather not have a chance to golf in the Toronto area well into next June, but he won't be looking that far ahead once camp starts in September. 'I can't wait to get going,' Maccelli said. 'I can't wait to get in the city of Toronto and meet everyone there.' tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun Columnists Toronto Blue Jays World Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors
Edmonton Journal
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Maple Leafs GM hopeful in acquiring 'dynamic' playmaker Matias Maccelli
Article content After he was named to the NHL's all-rookie team in 2022-23 with the Arizona Coyotes, Maccelli had 17 goals and 40 assists in 82 games in 2023-24. 'He's a dynamic playmaker, and when you look at some of the areas that we need to address, playmaking ability was one of them,' Treliving said. 'There's a bet here on a player that we think can rebound from the season he had and with some of the players that we have. 'Ultimately, it will come down to the fits and where they all go. We just felt, at the price that it cost us, that this was a chance for a young player who has some dynamic skill and ability, it was worth the bet.' To get the 24-year-old Finland native, Treliving sent a third-round pick in 2027 to Utah. If the Leafs make the playoffs next season and Maccelli has at least 51 points, the pick becomes a second-round choice in 2029. Hours after the Maccelli trade, the Leafs re-signed fourth-line winger Steven Lorentz to a three-year extension with an average annual value of $1.35 million US. 'Stevie's come in and fit really well with our group (after coming to camp last year on a PTO),' Treliving said. 'He's happy here. What's the old saying: 'Don't something with happy.' I'm glad it worked out. It's good to have Steve back.'
Toronto Sun
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Maple Leafs GM hopeful in acquiring 'dynamic' playmaker Matias Maccelli
The Leafs hope that newly acquired winger Matias Maccelli can help replace some of the playmaking element lost with the Mitch Marner trade. Photo by Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving is willing to roll the dice on winger Matias Maccelli. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Acquired by the Maple Leafs from the Utah Mammoth on Monday for a conditional draft pick, Maccelli had a difficult 2024-25 season, recording just 18 points in 51 games and often was a healthy scratch. It's Maccelli's previous two years in the National Hockey League that give the Leafs hope that he can be a productive player in Toronto. After he was named to the NHL's all-rookie team in 2022-23 with the Arizona Coyotes, Maccelli had 17 goals and 40 assists in 82 games in 2023-24. 'He's a dynamic playmaker, and when you look at some of the areas that we need to address, playmaking ability was one of them,' Treliving said. 'There's a bet here on a player that we think can rebound from the season he had and with some of the players that we have. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Ultimately, it will come down to the fits and where they all go. We just felt, at the price that it cost us, that this was a chance for a young player who has some dynamic skill and ability, it was worth the bet.' To get the 24-year-old Finland native, Treliving sent a third-round pick in 2027 to Utah. If the Leafs make the playoffs next season and Maccelli has at least 51 points, the pick becomes a second-round choice in 2029. Hours after the Maccelli trade, the Leafs re-signed fourth-line winger Steven Lorentz to a three-year extension with an average annual value of $1.35 million US. 'Stevie's come in and fit really well with our group (after coming to camp last year on a PTO),' Treliving said. 'He's happy here. What's the old saying: 'Don't something with happy.' I'm glad it worked out. It's good to have Steve back.' tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun Ontario Editorial Cartoons Toronto Blue Jays Toronto Maple Leafs Sports
Hamilton Spectator
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Maple Leafs acquire Matias Maccelli from Utah for a conditional third-round draft pick
The Maple Leafs have acquired playmaking winger Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth for a conditional third-round draft pick in 2027. Maccelli had eight goals, 10 assists in 55 games in an injury-filled season in Utah last year. The five-foot-11, 185-pound forward showed himself to be a playmaking winger in two prior seasons with the Arizona Coyotes, with 11 goals and 38 assists in 2022-23 and 17 goals and 40 assists in 2023-24. Maccelli, 24, has one year left at a cap hit of $3.425 million (U.S.) . He'll be a restricted free agent in a year. Should the Leafs earn a playoff berth and Maccelli records at least 51 points in 2025-26, the pick will be a second-rounder in 2029. The Finnish player was a fourth-round pick of the Coyotes in 2019.
