Matias Maccelli's Price Tag Raises Big Questions After Joining the Maple Leafs
Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Matias Maccelli is going to need a new contract and according to Jon Steitzer it's going to cost a bit, so for the Maple Leafs he better play up to his potential.
Although the Maple Leafs are going to be reeling a bit from the loss of Mitch Marner, they have built a solid group of players around Auston Matthews to create something deeper and potentially more game-changing.
Part of that new game-changing roster is Matias Maccelli, who the Leafs acquired from the Utah Mammoth for a 3rd-round pick. Maccelli was linked to the team previously, and he's got a lot of potential and still only 24 years old.
He's expected to help the top-six and with the right players and the chance to be around some elite teammates, he has the chance to flourish and crush any career-highs.
A $4M Gamble on a Player Still Finding His Game
However if he does so, that's going to cost a pretty penny and since he's a restricted free agent, that opens up a whole new can of worms.
According to Jon Steitzer, a contributor to The Leafs Nation, Maccelli's next deal is gonna be a pretty big increase, and in his article about potential RFA contracts; Maccelli's stands out:
Maccelli is either the player with the highest projected contract or second highest depending on whether he is looking for a single or multi-year deal according to AFP.
From a Leafs perspective, playing the waiting game on a forward that only put up 18 points last season is reasonable and if there isn't a fit on the Leafs for him, those projected numbers would slide a lot or there would simply be a lack of a qualifying offer.
There would have to be a pretty big haircut on that cap hit for the Leafs to want to act now and honestly it feels like if Maccelli locked in at a low number with term that would truly be the opposite of betting on himself and raise some concerns about whether the player even believes he can be a 57-point player again.
When both sides better understand each other there will likely at least be good reason for the Leafs to get something done in season while Maccelli would probably be best off pushing things right up to the brink of arbitration.
From a Leafs perspective, playing the waiting game on a forward that only put up 18 points last season is reasonable and if there isn't a fit on the Leafs for him, those projected numbers would slide a lot or there would simply be a lack of a qualifying offer.
There would have to be a pretty big haircut on that cap hit for the Leafs to want to act now and honestly it feels like if Maccelli locked in at a low number with term that would truly be the opposite of betting on himself and raise some concerns about whether the player even believes he can be a 57-point player again.
When both sides better understand each other there will likely at least be good reason for the Leafs to get something done in season while Maccelli would probably be best off pushing things right up to the brink of arbitration.
Did the Leafs Bet on Potential or Panic for Depth?
In the end, Steitzer believes Maccelli will get either a one-year deal worth $4.1-million, or if he excels, make $4.4-million over three years.
That would be a real increase from the $3.425-million he makes currently, and if he's able to bring the offense, Toronto could be in some serious business (or trouble).
Maccelli could very well find a new lease on life and hit 65-70 points and we don't know his potential in the playoffs; he could be key to Toronto advancing.
That performance is going to be worth locking him up for the long-term, and getting three more years of him as he enters his prime lines up with Auston Matthews' contract as well.
They are betting that he's going to bounce back from his 18-point season, and while it could be seen as a rash move to acquire him, his potential is worth way more than that 3rd round pick.
Bounce-Back or Bust: Will Maccelli Reclaim His 57-Point Form?
It depends on a whole slew of factors, but the main two being the health of Auston Matthews and how Craig Berube feels about his placement in the lineup.
If Matthews is healthy and the two are on the same line, there is a real good chance that the captain can elevate Maccelli's game and push him into being a better offensive player.
But that also depends on if Craig Berube thinks he is a better choice than Max Domi, someone who already has experience with Matthews, and who himself is looking to bounce back offensively.
If Maccelli gets bumped down to the second line it's not like he's playing with bad players, and could very well hit that 50+ point plateau once again, being a playmaking option and ease John Tavares' load a bit.
But we won't know until October, and even then we're only starting things off. But Maccelli is confident he can bring the team to glory, so maybe we should give him a chance.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 27 | 1135 ANSWERS Matias Maccelli's Price Tag Raises Big Questions After Joining the Maple Leafs How much would you pay Matias Maccelli per season on his next deal? | ||
| $3.5M | 720 | 63.4 % |
| $4M | 308 | 27.1 % |
| $4.5M | 82 | 7.2 % |
| $5M+ | 25 | 2.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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