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Toronto Sun
07-07-2025
- 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
Yahoo
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wild trade for Tarasenko and Mammoth send Maccelli to Maple Leafs on eve of NHL free agency
FILE - Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli skates with the puck against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Jan. 4, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file) FILE - Detroit Red Wings right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (11) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild,, Feb. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file) FILE - Detroit Red Wings right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (11) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild,, Feb. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file) FILE - Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli skates with the puck against the Dallas Stars during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Jan. 4, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, file) FILE - Detroit Red Wings right wing Vladimir Tarasenko (11) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Minnesota Wild,, Feb. 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr, file) The Minnesota Wild got winger Vladimir Tarasenko for nothing on the eve of NHL free agency, acquiring the two-time Stanley Cup champion in a trade Monday with the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations. Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $4.75 million. He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St. Louis' championship run in 2019. Advertisement The Utah Mammoth also traded young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. It turns into a second-rounder in 2029 if Maccelli has 51-plus points and the Maple Leafs make the playoffs next season. 'We appreciate everything that Matias has done for the organization,' Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. 'He is a great person, consummate professional, and we wish him all the best.' The moves came with the league awaiting what happens with Leafs pending free agent Mitch Marner and who the back-to-back defending champion Panthers are able to bring back between Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. They already re-signed Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract. ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sabres newcomers Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring eager to end Sabres' 14-season playoff drought
FILE - Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) skates the puck around the defense of Winnipeg Jets center Morgan Barron (36) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) carries the puck away from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 12, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) carries the puck away from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 12, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) skates the puck around the defense of Winnipeg Jets center Morgan Barron (36) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) carries the puck away from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 12, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File) BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring are fully aware of the Buffalo Sabres' past struggles, and eager to play roles in transforming the team into a winner. 'As a duo, we have to kind of wear it as a badge of honor, that they wanted to bring us in to help this group win,' Doan said during a Zoom call on Thursday, less than 24 hours after he and Kesselring were acquired by Buffalo in a trade with the Utah Mammoth. Advertisement 'I think this group is going in the right direction, and they have the right guys to go in that direction,' the 23-year-old added. 'It might be one or two pieces or a couple of more to fix that. And that's what they're trying to do.' If anything, their desire to be part of a winner is fueled further by having yet to make the playoffs after opening their careers in Arizona and then falling short in Utah's first season last year. 'It's never fun bouncing around, leaving friends, leaving teammates,' said the 25-year-old Kesselring, who has gone from being traded in March 2023 by Edmonton to Arizona and then making the move to Utah as a new NHL franchise last summer. 'It makes it even more of a reason I want to succeed here,' he added. 'You want to be one of those guys that's part of the solution.' Advertisement The two newcomers — and roommates last season — represent the latest roster makeover for a Sabres team in the midst of an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought. They were acquired in a trade that sent promising forward and two-time 25-goal-scorer JJ Peterka to Utah. 'We needed some scoring and we felt that could be answered with JJ who's not only a goal-scorer but somebody in the same age range as most of the players on our team," Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong said of the 23-year-old Peterka, who was signed to a five-year $38.5 million contract. What Doan and Kesselring lack in offense in having scored 12 career goals each over a combined 218 NHL career games, they make up in bringing a physical style of play to a Sabres team that's been knocked for being soft. In February, Buffalo players faced criticism for failing to step up when Tage Thompson lay hurt on the ice after being bowled over by New Jersey's Stefan Noesen in what was deemed an illegal hit. The Sabres held a team meeting afterward to specifically address their lack of response. Advertisement At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Doan has developed a reputation for being a solid forechecking player, who doesn't shy away from hitting. 'It's the most fun way to play hockey being a little bit of a pest on the ice,' said Doan, the son of longtime Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan. Kesselring is listed at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds, and noted for his rugged style and hard shot. 'I'm not the biggest fan of fighting, but I like to think I'm a good teammate. And when it has to happen, it has to happen,' he said. Doan will likely fill a third-line role. Kesselring has the opportunity to use his defensive ability to complement the more offensively oriented Owen Power. Advertisement Both are familiar with Thompson after playing with him at the world championships in May in helping the U.S. win its first tournament title since 1993. 'That just fueled the fire to play in big games like that,' Kesselring said of competing at the worlds in Sweden. 'It really helped me mature as a player and it helped me realize what it takes to win at this high level.' Kesselring also played with Sabres forward Jason Zucker in Arizona, and was a college teammate of Buffalo goalie Devon Levi at Northeastern. 'I know a lot of guys in that room and I think there's a lot of talent here,' Kesselring said. 'And there's no reason we can't turn it around pretty quick.' ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buffalo Sabres trade Peterka to Utah Mammoth to acquire Kesselring and Doan, AP source says
FILE - Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) carries the puck away from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 12, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) skates the puck around the defense of Winnipeg Jets center Morgan Barron (36) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate, File) FILE - Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) chases the puck past Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) FILE - Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) chases the puck past Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) carries the puck away from Anaheim Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 12, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Alex Goodlett, File) FILE - Utah Hockey Club defenseman Michael Kesselring (7) skates the puck around the defense of Winnipeg Jets center Morgan Barron (36) during the third period of an NHL hockey game, April 5, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate, File) FILE - Buffalo Sabres right wing JJ Peterka (77) chases the puck past Washington Capitals right wing Tom Wilson (43) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, March 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File) BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The Buffalo Sabres' long-anticipated offseason retooling began late Wednesday night with the team agreeing to trade forward JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth to acquire forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring, a person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed to The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal had not yet been announced by the teams. DailyFaceoff was the first to report the trade. Advertisement This is a major swap of young players all within their first three seasons of NHL experience. The 23-year-old Peterka is coming off consecutive 25-plus goal seasons, and was scheduled to become a restricted free agent next week. He is anticipated to already be in discussions on a new contract with Utah. Doan, a 23-year-old winger, is the son of longtime Arizona Coyotes star Shane Doan, and his departure is the organization's latest move that separates this Salt Lake City chapter from the past. He had seven goals and 19 points in his rookie season with Utah last year. Kesselring, a 25-year-old defenseman, played alongside Doan for the U.S. when it won the world championships in May for the first time since 1933. He completed his second full NHL season with seven goals and 29 points — both career highs. Advertisement The Sabres were expected to shake up their roster after a disappointing finish in Lindy Ruff's first season back with the team. Buffalo finished 14th in the Eastern Conference standings and extended its NHL-record playoff drought to a 14th season. The Mammoth, meantime, acquire a promising offensive star while keeping their No. 4 pick in the NHL draft on Friday night. ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLSE CEO Keith Pelley Explains Decision Not To Hire New Maple Leafs President After Brendan Shanahan's Dismissal
Trading Into First Overall Pick Is Possible For Blackhawks The New York Islanders jumped ten spots to select first in the 2024 NHL Draft by winning the first lottery. The Utah Hockey Club jumped from 14th to 4th by winning the second. That left the San Jose Sharks with the second overall pick and the Chicago Blackhawks at third.
