The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 season is mercifully winding down. The club has five games to go before the season heads to the dustbin of history.
That said, the work leading up to next season will only begin. The organization will need to find a new President of Hockey Operations, a new general manager, potentially a new coach, and on-ice roster turnover.
That’s a tall order for an organization that was supposed to compete for the Stanley Cup.
Be that as it may, one of the on-ice personnel decisions the Maple Leafs will need to look into is restricted free agents (RFAs).
The Maple Leafs will have several RFAs throughout the organization. Perhaps the most complicated situation is that of Matias Maccelli.
Maccelli, as maligned as he has been this season, has managed to put up decent numbers. It’s the scary Qualifying Offer (QO) that might prompt the Leafs to balk at re-signing him this season.
But given the way the organization is going, Toronto has to re-sign him. The most evident reason is the lack of star power in this year’s UFA class. Beyond Alex Tuch, who could re-up with the Buffalo Sabres and avoid the market, there really isn’t anyone who could replace Maccelli.
Even if the Maple Leafs inked Maccelli to a one-year deal at his $4.1 million QO, he would still be cheaper and more convenient than some of the other options out there.
There is, however, another more powerful reason why Maccelli and the Maple Leafs should stick together for at least one more season.
Maccelli Could Thrive under New Maple Leafs Coach
The assumption is that the Maple Leafs will be dismissing Craig Berube and bringing in a new coach. If that’s indeed the case, Maccelli could thrive under a new coach.
For reasons that aren’t totally clear yet, Berube lost the room this season. Perhaps it was just the psychological dark cloud that hung over the group following last year’s Game 7 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Perhaps the club just needs a new direction after a decade of pretty much running it back and failing to deliver.
Whatever the case, the Maple Leafs could stand to benefit from giving Maccelli another shot. There’s always the possibility that a different environment could help the 25-year-old’s confidence moving forward.
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A Two-Year Deal Is the Best Way to Go
All told, a two-year deal is more than likely the best way to go for all parties involved. Maccelli is still two years away from becoming a UFA. So, signing him up to his age-26 season would give the Maple Leafs flexibility in keeping him short-term, while giving the player a chance to figure out his game.
If Maccelli thrives, well, the discussion will be much different once Maccelli is set to become a UFA.
If he flops, the Leafs will have Maccelli on the books for just two seasons. The second season may sting a little, but the rising salary cap will help offset that situation.
Ultimately, re-signing Maccelli is a relatively low-risk move that the organization cannot pass up. If the Leafs choose to dump Maccelli now, they risk him becoming a better player on a team that can unlock his skills.
Keep in mind the way that Alex Steeves went from not getting a QO to thriving in Boston.
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