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Maple Leafs’ Matias Maccelli ranks 27th on The Athletic’s January trade board

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
Jan 9, 2026, 08:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 8, 2026, 22:47 EST
Two months out from this year’s March trade deadline, it’s time to start keeping an eye out for the big pieces on the market.
In that spirit, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston published his first trade targets board of the new year on Thursday. Landing on the list from the Toronto Maple Leafs is winger Matias Maccelli. Amidst a slow start and a string of healthy scratches, Maccelli was 11th on December’s edition of the board, but now falls slightly with things getting going in Toronto. On Maccelli, Johnston writes:
Maccelli’s play has come on after a steady stream of healthy scratches, but he remains a chip the Leafs would consider playing. He has good vision and no shortage of offensive skill, but his game challenges a coach’s trust. Maccelli is also undersized, which can be a barrier to winning puck battles, and his commitment on the defensive end remains a work in progress. The acquisition cost won’t be huge. The Leafs got him from Utah for a third-round pick last summer.
Maccelli is currently on the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $3,425 million this season. He is set to become a restricted free agent this summer. He’s recently found a more consistent role with the Leafs, and now has six goals and 16 points in 32 games played. As Johnston notes, he wouldn’t yield a big return for Toronto, but he could be an additional asset if they’re looking to make a bigger swing heading towards the deadline.
At the top of the list this month is Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood, followed two names of note for the Leafs in Andrew Mangiapane of the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames defenceman Rasmus Andersson. Mangiapane signed with the Oilers on July 1st last summer, amidst rumours that the Leafs were interested in pursuing him. The 29-year-old winger has had a tough start to his time in Edmonton, and as the roster gets healthier he’s finding himself in the press box more often than not. Andersson meanwhile has been linked to the Leafs for some time now, with Toronto reportedly making a push for him at last year’s deadline. Now, they’re rumoured to be asking about Andersson again, though it’s expected the price would be high.
Give us your thoughts, would you move Maccelli right now or hold on to him for the time being?
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