The Toronto Maple Leafs are heading into new territory.

The Leafs haven't entered a new season with Mitch Marner not on their roster since 2015-16, and they were unable to find a player to replace his production. That doesn’t mean an unprecedented drop-off is around the corner.

Auston Matthews has proven previously he was and can be the play driver on a top line in the NHL. The departure of Marner won’t affect him as harshly as some may believe. In fact, trade acquisition Matias Maccelli could be the answer on the top line if the Leafs don’t acquire anyone else on the wing.

When Matthews pursued 70 goals in 2023-24, he arguably went through his best stretch of play when Marner was injured, playing alongside Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. He scored at a slightly higher rate with Bertuzzi (2.78 goals per 60 minutes) and Domi (3.01) than with Marner (2.61) that season, according to naturalstattrick.com.

His history of working well with lesser talent than Marner dates even further back. 

In the 2018-19 season, Matthews was without his usual linemate William Nylander due to a contract dispute, and following his return, Nylander struggled to find his form. Matthews played most of the season with Andreas Johnsson and Kasperi Kapanen, scoring 37 goals and 73 points in 68 games during his third year in the NHL.

Matthews’ 73 points were a career high at the time, but he also assisted Johnsson and Kapanen to career highs. Following their departures from the Maple Leafs, Johnsson was never able to eclipse his 20-goal and 43-point campaign, and Kapanen hasn’t sniffed his 20-goal and 44-point campaign. 

Throughout his nine-year career, the 27-year-old Matthews has seen his most success alongside speedy wingers or a pure playmaker and a strong forechecking net-front presence. Matthew Knies has emerged as the net-front presence, and Maccelli could be the pure playmaker Matthews needs.

Matthews and Knies have already built strong chemistry with one another, and adding a right winger to the fold shouldn’t involve much of a transition period. The Maple Leafs are continuing to search for a top-six winger, but they would likely benefit more by playing that winger with John Tavares and Nylander and playing Maccelli on the top line.

While Maccelli can’t singlehandedly replace Marner’s production, he and Knies replicate the play styles of Bertuzzi and Domi. Knies is a net-front specialist and strong on the forecheck like Bertuzzi, and Maccelli is a pass-first forward like Domi.

Recent speculation by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman linked the Maple Leafs and UFA Jack Roslovic. Matthews and Roslovic have history, playing together at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. 

Roslovic is highly skilled and could work with Matthews, but he doesn’t fit style-wise like Maccelli does. The 28-year-old Roslovic is more of a shoot-first player, with a career-high 22 goals and 45 points in 2021-22. He could gel nicely with Nylander and Tavares. 

There are few players better than Marner at taking the puck off the boards and bringing it into high-danger areas, but Knies and Matthews also do that quite well, which should mitigate that loss. 

What they don’t possess is the ability to open up passing lanes from one-timers, something Maccelli has done well throughout his career. 

The 24-year-old recorded just 10 assists in 55 games this past year, but in the years prior, he recorded 38 and 40. He recognizes passing lanes for cross-ice one-timers or passes from behind the goal line for shots in the slot.

"When he came into the league, his first two years were, he's a dynamic playmaker,” Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving told reporters on July 1. “When you look at some of the areas that we need to address, playmaking ability was one of them, and we think there's a bet here on a player that we think can rebound from the season he had this year."

Maple Leafs' William Nylander Must Prepare For A Season He's Never Experienced Before Toronto Maple Leafs right winger William Nylander has emerged as an NHL superstar over the years. 

Maccelli understands the pressure that comes with playing alongside top players, but he also sees it as an opportunity. 

"I would definitely love that. Playing with a guy like that would be great," he told reporters on Tuesday. "I'll make sure I'll be in shape if I get a chance to play with Auston or any of the top guys in Toronto, so that would be super good."

It’s a gamble for the Maple Leafs, but their current outlook requires gambles on players like Maccelli.

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