"Like the rest of his teammates, the winger has found his stride since the holiday break, and it's come just in time for his return to Utah. Prior to joining the Maple Leafs, Maccelli spent the first four seasons of his NHL career with the Arizona Coyotes now turned Utah Mammoth organization. Suffice it is to say, he should have plenty in the tank for his first game back at Delta Center."
"It took a few wake-up calls, but Craig Berube's message finally seems to have clicked with the pass-first dangler. Since sitting out nine straight games in early December, Maccelli has looked like a different player. He's still a bit passive at times, but there's no question he's finding ways to make an impact every night-and that's why he's stayed in the lineup."
"Meantime, earlier in the season, the Leafs' deployment of Maccelli-brought in to make things happen offensively-felt like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Now, they're putting him in more favourable positions to succeed. The sample size is small, but he's looked effective on the first power-play unit, using his playmaking savvy to create time and space for the big boys. Nevertheless, his five-on-five game has its flaws, which is why his ice time continues to fluctuate night to night."
Matias Maccelli has had ups and downs through 34 outings but has looked like his best self over the past 10 games in a Maple Leafs sweater. He will return to Utah, where he spent four NHL seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. A nine-game benching in December and Craig Berube's message produced clearer, more impactful play, though occasional passivity remains. The Leafs now use him in more favorable offensive spots, including the first power-play unit, where his playmaking creates space for bigger scorers. His five-on-five game still has flaws that cause fluctuating ice time, but recent form gives cautious optimism about his fit in Toronto.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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