Matias Maccelli's Recent Comments Could Sway Which Maple Leafs Players He Begins the Year With

Earlier this summer, the Toronto Maple Leafs pulled off a shrewd piece of business when they acquired 24-year-old Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth following a trade request from the skilled winger.

Maccelli had a bit of a down year in Utah last season, but his previous two seasons in Arizona yielded 106 points in 146 games, at times appearing to have some star tendencies. This deal appears to be a smart gamble for the Maple Leafs.

Upon being acquired by the Leafs, Maccelli agreed to meet with the media in early July to discuss a wide range of topics. During that media session, Maccelli revealed who he felt the most comfortable playing with. The two he mentioned weren't skilled stars, which could influence where he starts out in Toronto.

Bjugstad, 33, produced a career high 49 points with the Florida Panthers in 2017-18. His 45 points in 2023-24 in Arizona was the 2nd best statical season in his career, not just in points, but in goals as well.

While he struggled last season in Utah, Lawson Crouse enjoyed two of the best seasons of his career with Maccelli in Arizona, producing 23 and 24 goals in back-to-back years in 2022-23, and 2023-24.

If the Leafs don't opt to place Maccelli on the top line with Auston Matthews and opt to try Domi on that line instead, Maccelli may benefit from some time with a bulldog like John Tavares, who can not only win puck battles, but can get open and put the puck in the net as well.

Conversely, if the Leafs want to start Maccelli a little lower down the lineup to get his feet wet, two players like Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua could certainly compliment him well, consider that they are closer to those Bjugstad, Crouse types.

Training camp will tell us a lot about where the Leafs see Maccelli fitting into the picture, but if I had to guess, we'll either see him on the 2nd line with Tavares and Nylander to start out, or on that 3rd line with Roy and Joshua.