When the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Matias Maccelli, reactions were split. For those familiar with his game, there’s a lot to like—especially if he can bounce back to his earlier form. But for many fans, Maccelli arrived as an unknown, and with that comes uncertainty. Did the Maple Leafs make a smart bet on a skilled playmaker, or did they bring in a questionable fit for a team trying to reshape its identity?
Related: Rielly Trade Odds, Hint McDavid Signing & More NHL Rumors
Here’s what we believe Maple Leafs fans should know about the talented, if inconsistent, Finnish winger.
Maccelli’s Early Career and Rise to the NHL
Maccelli was born in Turku, Finland, on Oct. 14, 2000. He played his junior hockey with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the United States Hockey League (USHL). In his final USHL season, he scored 31 goals and added 41 assists for a total of 72 points in 62 games.
After being drafted 98th overall in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft by the Arizona Coyotes, Maccelli returned to Finland to play for Ilves Tampere in the Finnish Liiga. There, he won the Rookie of the Year Award after scoring 13 goals, 17 assists, and 30 points in 43 games. He improved in his second Liiga season, scoring 15 goals and accumulating 39 points in 51 games.
Macelli’s Transition to North America and NHL Debut
Maccelli began the 2021-22 season with the Tucson Roadrunners, Arizona’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, where he posted better than a point-per-game pace — 57 points in 47 games (14 goals, 43 assists). He was called up to the NHL in March 2022, finishing the season with Arizona, where he tallied one goal and five assists in 23 games.
Related: Nicolas Roy Brings Size, Skill & Playoff Snarl to the Maple Leafs
In his first full NHL season, Maccelli scored 11 goals and added 38 assists for 49 points in 64 games, finishing fourth in voting for the NHL’s Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year). He followed that up with 17 goals and 57 points in the 2023-24 season.
Macelli’s Recent Struggles and Trade to the Maple Leafs
When the Coyotes ceased operations after the 2023-24 season, their assets, including Maccelli, were transferred to the Utah Hockey Club. Unfortunately, his production declined sharply in Utah, with his ice time dropping from 16:14 to 13:44 per game, and his output falling to just eight goals and 18 points in 55 games.
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at The Hockey Writers…