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NHL Trade Rumors: Will Toronto Maple Leafs Deal Matias Maccelli For Roster Consistency?

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
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NHL Trade Rumors: Will Toronto Maple Leafs Deal Matias Maccelli For Roster Consistency?

Since trading forward Mitch Marner last offseason, the Toronto Maple Leafs continue searching for an offensive identity. Sure, they employ Auston Matthews, one of the NHL’s top playmakers, as a top-line center. But who would fill the void? 

Offense has not been an issue as the Maple Leafs entered Thursday ranked fifth with a 3.28 goals-per-game average.  

With bottom-six center Max Domi compiling a team-worst minus-12 rating in 31 games, the roster’s inconsistencies continue to mount, exacerbated by a series of injuries. 

Captain Auston Matthews, defenseman Brandon Carlo, defenseman Chris Tanev and goalies Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll were among the players sidelined this season. Matthews and Woll have returned to the lineup, but Tanev and Stolarz remain out.

At 15-12-5, entering Thursday, the Maple Leafs could be forced to move a player like left winger Matias Maccelli, who appeared on The Athletic’s Trade Board. 

NHL Trade Rumors: Left winger Matias Maccelli May Be On Block 

Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks snapped a two-game losing streak. The Maple Leafs also dropped five straight and eight of 10 (Nov. 8-28). Opening a three-game road trip, they traveled to face the Washington Capitals on Thursday, before taking on the Nashville Predators on Saturday and Dallas Stars on Sunday. 

Unless the Maple Leafs discover defensive consistency, Maccelli could face additional rumors when the NHL’s holiday roster freeze ends Dec. 28. 

In his first season with the franchise, Maccelli posted four goals among nine points during his opening 22 outings. The 25-year-old forward was acquired from the Utah Mammoth last offseason for a conditional third-round draft pick, but is he a long-term answer?

NHL trade rumors suggest Maccelli, A pending free agent with a $3.425 million cap hit, could be headed to the Boston Bruins. 

“I heard Boston had poked around him last year when he was available,” NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman said during a “32 Thoughts” podcast. “But you always look at who were the other teams that were maybe interested in acquiring him.  

“I know the Bruins were there. I know they’re still looking for a scoring winger. I’m not sure if Matias Maccelli’s going to be their guy still, or they look for someone else.” 

The teams have a history of making deals. At the 2025 trade deadline, the Maple Leafs acquired Carlo from the Bruins. Carlo likely will not dress until at least mid-January.  

Jeff Hawkins Written by Sports EditorJeff Hawkins
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He joined the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on NASCAR's increasing corporate influences, particularly in northern racetracks — commentary which you might find Jeff building on as part of the Motorsports writing team at Sportscasting now.  
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