The NHL trade chatter is heating up as we head into 2026, and a spicy rumor has emerged involving two Atlantic Division rivals. According to The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa, the Boston Bruins should be looking long and hard at Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matias Maccelli.
It’s a link that makes sense on paper but feels complicated in reality. Shinzawa suggests that the 25-year-old left-shot winger is the exact type of “buy-low” candidate Boston needs to inject some life into their top-nine forward group. The Bruins, who have been hunting for secondary scoring all season, reportedly had eyes on Maccelli last summer before the Utah Mammoth shipped him to Toronto in that offseason blockbuster.
Now, with Maccelli struggling to find a permanent home in Craig Berube’s lineup—often finding himself in the press box as a healthy scratch—the door might be open for a move. But would Toronto actually deal a skilled asset to their arch-rivals?
Why Matias Maccelli Fits The Bruins’ Roster Needs
Boston’s interest isn’t new. They see a playmaker whose underlying numbers suggest he’s better than his current stat line implies. Maccelli has posted just 13 points in 26 games this season, but his vision and passing ability remain elite. For a Bruins team that often relies too heavily on their top line for offense, Maccelli offers a creative spark that could wake up their second or third units. Plus, at 25, he fits their timeline—young enough to be part of the future, experienced enough to help in a playoff push.
The Toronto Perspective
For the Leafs, the Maccelli experiment has been… uneven. Since arriving from the Utah Mammoth, he hasn’t quite clicked with the Leafs’ defensive structure. However, there is a twist: his production has actually ticked up recently, with 4 points in his last 4 games. This creates a dilemma for Toronto. Do they sell low on a player who is finally heating up, or do they cut bait now to clear cap space and roster spots for a more “Berube-style” grinder?
My Expert Insight: The Risk vs. Reward
Here is the reality of the situation: Matias Maccelli is a distressed asset right now, but a talented one.
I’ve watched him closely since his days in Arizona. He needs the puck on his stick to be effective, and in Toronto, he’s often deferring to the “Core Three,” which neuters his greatest strength—his playmaking. In Boston, he might get the freedom to carry the puck more.
Personally, I think Toronto holds onto him until the deadline unless Boston overpays. His recent uptick in production (points in four straight games) gives the Leafs hope that he’s finally adjusting. Trading him to Boston could backfire spectacularly if he rediscovers his 50-point form wearing a Spoked-B. However, if the Leafs are desperate to shake up their bottom-six mix, Maccelli is the most logical chip to move.
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