Brad Treliving just threw a curveball and swung a deal for a young forward with a lot of potential, only for a conditional third round pick in 2027.

Matias Maccelli, 24, was a fourth round pick back in 2019 for the Arizona Coyotes. In 2023, he signed a 3-year deal which he is now in the final year of, for an annual average value of $3.425M. Toronto had no money retained in this deal.

Maccelli notched 18 points (8 goals, 10 assists) in 55 games for Utah this past season after he set personal career highs in goals (17), assists (40) and points (57) in 82 games during the 2023-24 season. The potential for Maccelli is clearly there, now it’s up to Toronto’s coaching staff to bring the best out of him this upcoming season.

Maccelli is a player who has a high playmaking ability, and is able to create chances off the rush for his linemates. If Maccelli can slot in on the third line next to a guy like Bobby McMann, they should have enough chemistry to generate chances for that line.

According to multiple reports, Toronto hopes that Maccelli can soon slot into their top-six forward group, likely playing alongside John Tavares. If proven, Maccelli could find himself on the top line playing with Auston Matthews.

The condition on the pick is if Maccelli can record 51 points during the upcoming 2025-26 season, and if Toronto qualifies for the postseason, then the pick turns into a 2029 second round selection. If Maccelli can score 51 points this upcoming season, the Maple Leafs should have no problem giving up that second round pick, as it would be close to a career year for the young forward.

Toronto still has work to do, but Brad Treliving swung a great deal here for the Maple Leafs. A low risk, high reward deal for a player like Maccelli who if he works out in Toronto, could look to be a Maple Leafs for years to come.