Mitch Marner’s exit from the Toronto Maple Leafs was a stretched-out and highly publicized event. While Marner headed west to join the ranks of the Vegas Golden Knights, the Maple Leafs welcomed left winger Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth. The Leafs got Maccelli in return for a conditional third-round pick in the 2027 NHL draft. The former Mammoth left-winger signed a $10.2 million contract with a cap hit of $3.4 million per season.
Maccelli’s time with the Maple Leafs is sure to be stressful. If the team makes it to the playoffs and the left winger accumulates at least 51 points in the 2025-26 season, the Mammoth could land a second-round pick in the 2029 draft.
Moreover, his contract with the Leafs expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, turning Maccelli into a restricted free agent. Will the 24-year-old be able to live up to the expectations that the community can have from a player who is replacing Marner?
Matias Maccelli Cognizant of Big Responsibilities
To replace a star performer like Marner with the added pressure of propelling the team to the playoffs, Maccelli is expected to remain busy from the first day of his life in Toronto. But he is ready for it. The Finnish left-winger recently admitted that although he is aware of the weight of expectations, he is confident in his abilities to catapult the Leafs to even greater success, given his unparalleled love for the game. “I have the passion, and I’m confident I can do what’s necessary to take this team to the next level.”
“I know I have big shoes to fill, but I have the passion and I’m confident I can do what’s necessary to take this team to the next level.”
– Matias Maccelli on Leafs Nation Network
— Benoit For Hart (@BenoitForHart) July 2, 2025
Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving did not bring Maccelli for nothing. Although his last season was thoroughly underwhelming, there is enough reason to believe it was more of an exception than a rule. Over the years, Maccelli has amassed 130 points in 224 regular-season games. His career-best season of 2023-24 with the Arizona Coyotes witnessed him fetching 57 points over 82 games. It is established beyond a doubt that the 24-year-old can make an impact.
Moreover, Maccelli is willing to deliver the best to the Maple Leafs fans. He could whip up some serious magic on the offensive line. There are other reasons to believe he is far from a bad trade. According to a Hockey Patrol article, there is much to admire about the Leafs’ acquisition from the Mammoth: “He has very good possession numbers, is extremely disciplined and will offer a new look to the Leafs offense.”
Maccelli is a far more economical option than Marner. If the 24-year-old left winger exhibits the same fire that he did in 2023-24, it will be the biggest win for Treliving and the entire Maple Leafs community.
