Maple Leafs weighing trade options with Matias Maccelli as division rival could circle back
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Maple Leafs may be weighing their options with Matias Maccelli as teams; including one division rival, could circle back.
The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli this past offseason as a way to add some playmaking, creativity, and youth to the lineup, however has not really settled in whatsoever.
Scratched for the last six games, Maccelli has seemingly fallen out of favor with head coach Craig Berube, even though the team has dealt with injuries and struggling players; Maccelli still finds himself in the press box.
In 22 games, Maccelli has nine points (4 goals, 5 assists), four PIM and a plus-two rating. He hasn't been awful, but just hasn't found any chemistry in the lineup and Craig Berube has preferred to go bigger and tougher as opposed to trying to add more playmaking.
He may be better suited elsewhere, and according to a new report, so too do the Maple Leafs.
Matias Maccelli getting interest from other teams including Leafs divisional rival
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman in his latest 32 Thoughts written article, the Maple Leafs could have suitors for Maccelli, and may be inclined to deal him as he hasn't fit into the team's game plan for their lineup:
Some other names to keep an eye on as they fight for lineup time: Maxim Tsyplakov (Islanders) and Matias Maccelli (Toronto) ...Maccelli, unfortunately, hasn't been a fit for the Maple Leafs. I don't believe they were the only team who looked at him in the summer, so some of those clubs may circle back.
According to Friedman on the latest episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Boston Bruins had prior interest in Maccelli before he was dealt to Toronto and may circle back to see if they can acquire him this time around.
I heard Boston had poked around him last year when he was available, I don't know if that's still the case now but you can always look and circle it. They were looking for a scoring winger and still are but I'm not sure if Maccelli is the guy for them or not.
With the Bruins tied for first in the Atlantic and needing to add a bit more firepower, could Maccelli be the answer?
The risks Toronto takes in trading Matias Maccelli to Boston
Toronto has a history of trading with their heated rivals, as they acquired defenseman Brandon Carlo last year for prospect Fraser Minten and a first-round pick; a deal they may end up regretting heavily down the line.
Including the Tuukka Rask trade from nearly 20 years ago, Toronto has twice been fleeced by the Bruins, and while trading Maccelli is a logical choice for Brad Treliving; three strikes and you're out.
The team can't risk getting a bare package for Maccelli only for him to turn around and start playing to the level Toronto expected. That is going to make Treliving's decision to bring him aboard in the first place look bad, but also whoever he gets back better add something big to the team.
Luckily for Toronto, Maccelli didn't cost them too much although one has to think that the Maple Leafs could have gone after a different name, and not just hoped for a breakout season.
There was certainly a lot of hope for Maccelli when he was brought in, but it didn't turn out the way the team had hoped which means his time in Toronto may be over as quickly as it started.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 14|1262 ANSWERS Maple Leafs weighing trade options with Matias Maccelli as division rival could circle back Did Toronto make a mistake by trading for Matias Maccelli? | ||
| Yes | 1039 | 82.3 % |
| No | 223 | 17.7 % |
| List of polls | ||