The Maple Leafs' 2nd-Round Pick Now Rests on Matias Maccelli's Shoulders

The Toronto Maple Leafs made a bit of a splash this offseason by acquiring young forward Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth. A crafty playmaker, he was expected to help soothe the loss of Mitch Marner and certainly has his supporters.

But so far this season hasn't been great with only five points in 12 games (2 goals, 3 assists) as well as being a healthy scratch.

While there's still a lot of time for him to turn it around, the team would love him to get hot.

Just potentially not too hot.

We touched on previously that Maccelli was traded to Toronto for a conditional third-round pick, with the condition that the Maple Leafs would lose a second-round pick instead if he were to hit 51 or more points.

Well considering that he is on pace for roughly 35 points, the Maple Leafs are safe for now however if he does start to pick things up it's certainly a double edged sword.

On one hand, we have a player who is only just now reaching his prime and if he can find himself in a rhythm and garner some chemistry with some line wherever he plays (and plays for more than a game), then it'll give him a huge boost offensively.

In doing so, Toronto would lose a second-rounder instead, but considering the team has traded a lot more for less and are currently in a win-now mentality, it would be akin to trading a second-round pick for a top-six forward elsewhere.

It's more the frustration surrounding the whole team that is showing Maccelli's lack of production at the start of the season. He hasn't been amazing, but he hasn't been bad; he's not Max Domi levels of bad and has shown flashes of his creativity at times.

People expected Maccelli to come in and be the best version he could be, and instantly transform the lineup after losing Marner. That was unfeasible and asking too much from a player who is still finding his stride overall.

But if he can turn things around and start putting up some more consistent production, it will keep him not only from being a healthy scratch but also give the Maple Leafs some much needed help from their depth pieces.

Though it's going to cost them a second-rounder if he does, that may be worth it in the long run especially if he can figure it out at the right time.

And now seems as good a time as ever to do so.