The Toronto Maple Leafs have an opening to replace Mitch Marner on the top line, and Matias Maccelli is in competition for it.
Toronto traded for Maccelli this offseason to add some secondary scoring to the lineup. Yet, ahead of the Maple Leafs’ preseason home opener against the Ottawa Senators on Sept. 23, Maccelli is set to play on the top line with Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
The lineup is the projected lineup for the Maple Leafs’ preseason game, which means Maccelli is getting the first crack at being on the top line.
Although Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube has said Max Domi and other players will get a chance, if Maccelli plays well, perhaps he takes a stranglehold of the spot.
Maccelli is entering the final year of his three-year, $10.275 million deal and will be an RFA at the end of the season.
Matthews Building Chemistry With Maccelli
Maccelli has been playing on the Maple Leafs’ top line to begin training camp as he looks to build chemistry with Matthews.
Although Maccelli had a down season last year, he is eager to get the chance to play on the top line. His focus is also on building chemistry with Matthews and Knies.
“I mean, obviously now it’s been a few days, so it’s getting better,” Maccelli said. “Trying to find them a little more out there, and I kind of know now where they hang out when we have the puck. So, yeah, it’s getting better.”
Matthews, meanwhile, has been impressed with Maccelli as he believes he can add a nice dynamic to the top line.
“It’s been good,” said Matthews. “I think every day, you know, a little bit better. And, I think that’s all you can ask for, especially early on in camp. You just want to build that chemistry and continue to take steps every single day, which I feel like we’ve been doing… Kind of quiet at the start, but once you get to know him, I really enjoy spending time with him, talking to him about hockey, about other stuff. I think he’s fit in really well.”
Maccelli recorded 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 55 games last season.
Maple Leafs Coach Believes Maccelli Can Play on The Top Line
Toronto made an intriguing trade for Maccelli after a down year with the Utah Mammoth.
Maccelli now has a chance to play on the first line. Maple Leafs’ coach Craig Berube believes the newly-acquired forward could earn that spot in training camp.
“It could be. It definitely could be,” Berube said to The Athletic. “And that’s something that maybe I don’t throw up there right away in camp. I don’t just want to put him in a situation to, ‘Oh, I’m playing with Matthews and Knies, I gotta perform at such a high level.’ I want him to get his feet under him at camp and get working and understanding how we like to play the game and getting comfortable. It’s definitely something that could work, though, so we’re thinking about it.”
Maccelli will get the first crack at playing on the top line with Matthews on Sept. 23.
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