Here are five potential trade destinations for the struggling winger:
Nashville Predators
Easy first target, as the Predators are open to some changes this season. Nashville is among the worst in the league, and the disappointment could force GM Barry Trotz to pull the trigger on a few deals.
Trotz could see Maccelli as a rebound candidate with a change of scenery and out of Toronto’s spotlight. Considering he’s 25 and had 57 points two seasons ago, it’s not out of the question that there’s untapped potential in his game. The Preds have almost $10 million in cap space, so there is some flexibility in this potential trade. However, if Nashville is interested in Maccelli, the Leafs would have to re-acquire Michael Bunting in the deal.
Seattle Kraken
The Kraken are among the worst attacking teams in the league and there are rumors that they are considering making some changes up front. Maccelli could be on their radar as someone to take a flyer, and since he’s an upcoming restricted free agent, this is much more than just acquiring a “hire.” There’s another season of team control, which gives Maccelli an extra boost in trade value.
While Maccelli’s play hasn’t helped, his playing style doesn’t match Berube’s expectations, and GMs around the league see that as well as anyone else. The Kraken have five forwards on their current roster who are pending unrestricted free agents, so they have to think about next season, and Maccelli helps fill a void.
As far as potential trade targets for the Kraken, Mason Marchment would be a priority for the Maple Leafs. They were interested before the Kraken completed their deal with the Dallas Stars last summer, and with him struggling in his new home with just 13 points in 27 games, this could be an interesting trade for both teams.
Kings of Los Angeles
Maccelli is a known foe of the Kings, who watched him dress in 224 games for the Arizona Coyotes franchise. They’ve seen the buttery passing, the great vision and the hockey IQ, and you can bet that’s the selling point for Treliving right now. Maccelli scored 49 points as a 22-year-old, 57 points as a 23-year-old. He has the game in him somewhere, he just hasn’t been able to find his feet with the Leafs, and enough is enough.
The Kings have plenty of cap space, they’re in playoff position and General Manager Ken Holland is on the phone trying to retool his front group on the fly. The Leafs sent a conditional third-round pick to Utah last summer, and the Kings have two third-rounders this year, so perhaps Treliving will settle for earning a pick back. As long as the Leafs don’t get Trevor Moore back in the trade, along with his $4.2 million cap hit for the next two seasons, anyone can win here.
Vancouver Canucks
The Canucks have six forwards who will be unrestricted free agents next year, meaning most of them could be traded as rentals before the deadline, so one or two forwards will need to be added with remaining term on their contracts. Maccelli’s team control next season could really play a role in the Maple Leafs’ favor in the talks.
The Canucks don’t have a lot of cap space, so at least one player should come the other way. Imagine if it’s Evander Kane? The veteran polarizing winger is a pending free agent, signed this season for $5.1 million AAV, and owns a 16-team approved trade list. Kane has been extremely inconsistent for the Canucks, but with the losses piling up, his motivation may have taken a major hit, which is part of the risk of having Kane on your team.
Boston Bruins
Before the Maple Leafs landed Maccelli from Utah, the Boston Bruins were interested in acquiring his talents. Yes, it’s not often that a division rival acquires a struggling forward from another in-season rival, but if the Bruins had strong interest, Treliving will have to go back and see where that currently stands.
Boston doesn’t have many trade candidates that jump off the page, so if this deal falls through, perhaps a third team could be involved to facilitate the trade. The Bruins loved Maccelli last summer, so Treliving should be on the phone giving his best-selling pitch and convincing them that Boston is the perfect home for the struggling winger to find his game.
Ultimately, it sounds like Maccelli’s days are numbered as a Maple Leaf. There’s a lot of excitement this season, but unfortunately for everyone involved, it just didn’t work out.
PRESENTED BY OFF THE ROSTER
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