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Craig Berube Reveals His Plans for Matias Maccelli Amid Auston Matthews & Matthew Knies Rumors
Photo credit: Imagn Images
Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was recently asked about newly-acquired forward Matias Maccelli and what his role will be going forward.
Craig Berube has some tough decisions to make this season, especially as it pertains to his lineup and who will be on the first line next to Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.
Many have assumed that the job will go to Max Domi, who has played well next to Auston Matthews in the past. Furthermore, he is better on the right wing than he is at center.
However, another potential name has popped up, and that just so happens to be Matias Maccelli, a player that the Maple Leafs recently acquired from the Utah Mammoth.
Craig Berube with a realistic update on Matias Maccelli
Maccelli is coming off a down year, although he has proven in the past that he can be a productive player who sets up plays with expert precision. A playmaker is exactly what Auston Matthews needs right now.
In a piece for The Athletic, Berube spoke on the possibility of Maccelli taking this role with the Leafs. Berube was realistic, claiming that the Leafs want Maccelli to have a chance to get acclimated before giving him a massive role with the franchise.
It could be. It definitely could be. And that's something that maybe I don't throw him up there right away in camp. I don't just want to put him in a situation where, 'Oh, I'm playing with Matthews and Knies, I've got to perform at such a high level.' I want him to get his feet under him at camp, get working, and understand how we like to play the game while getting comfortable. It's definitely something that could work, though, so we're thinking about it.
This is probably the best course of action right now. Despite having over 50 points in the past, the forward had just 18 points last season. Putting him on the top line is a bit undeserved right now.
Of course, the Leafs and the Mammoth are two different teams, and this could be a great opportunity for Maccelli to showcase his true potential as a player.
If he were to make it to the top line, the pressure would be significant, especially since Mitch Marner had 102 points last season.
Ultimately, we just want the season to start, and it will in about a month from now.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 10 | 134 ANSWERS Craig Berube Reveals His Plans for Matias Maccelli Amid Auston Matthews & Matthew Knies Rumors Do you believe Matias Maccelli should be on the Toronto Maple Leafs' first line? | ||
| YES | 58 | 43.3 % |
| NO | 76 | 56.7 % |
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