Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matias Maccelli met reporters for the first time since being acquired by the club in a trade with the Utah Hockey Club on June 30. Maccelli joins the Maple Leafs in exchange for a conditional third-round pick and the 24-year-old winger is looking forward to making the most of a new chance for a bounce-back season with his new team.
“I’m super excited for this opportunity to play for the Leafs next year. Can’t wait to get going and get into the City of Toronto and to meet everyone there, super excited,” Maccelli said.
Maccelli is expected to compete for a spot among Leafs’ top-six forward group, coming off the worst season of his young professional career. During the 2024-25 campaign, Maccelli recorded eight goals and 18 points in 55 games, previously recording 17 goals and 57 points in 82 games. Toronto is clearly making a low-risk, high-reward bet on Maccelli’s offensive production and dynamism as a playmaker, and he outlined his own goals for the upcoming season.
“It comes down to ice time and opportunity with the points,” Maccelli said. “It wasn’t my best year, but I still know that I’m a better player than I was in Arizona. I’ve got it still in me, so now I’ve got to show people again.”
Maccelli said he’s been improving his game more than he has in previous years, and is looking to become comfortable again with the puck, working on shooting and passing drills throughout the summer.
Maccelli on his fit in the Leafs’ lineup: All I can do is show up in good shape and be physically and mentally ready for the season and the coaching staff will do their thinking of who will play and where.
Maccelli would love a chance to play alongside Auston Matthews.
— Arun Srinivasan (@Arunthings) July 7, 2025
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Maccelli said he found out about the trade while on the golf course, while trying to make a putt before his friend started yelling that he had been traded to the Maple Leafs.
“I was obviously super pumped to be part of the Leafs now. It was a super exciting moment,” Maccelli said, while noting that he didn’t make the putt.
Maccelli will be afforded a real chance to take over the vacancy created by the Mitch Marner trade, while Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving remains in pursuit of another, genuine top-six forward. It’s easy to get excited about Maccelli’s game when you watch his highlight tape and there appears to be a mutually beneficial situation for both parties entering a new, uncharted 2025-26 campaign.