Yesterday, NHL analyst Nick Kypreos released another version of his trade bait board. If we compare this edition to the previous one, there is less talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs selling and more talk about them waiting to see what the next handful of games look like.
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He mentioned what every NHL media outlet is discussing regarding Bobby McMann being their biggest trade asset. He also pointed out that the Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers have been linked to one another as potential trade partners. However, he took it a step further and talked about a deal that he heard between the two teams. No, it was not about the aforementioned McMann, but it did involve Andrew Mangiapane. This time it included Matias Maccelli, and the Maple Leafs reportedly rejected it.
Let’s talk about it.
Mangiapane for Maccelli Swap
The deal was simple, a one for one swap that had the Maple Leafs acquiring struggling forward Mangiapane for Maccelli. One thing Kypreos did not mention was when the deal was proposed. If it was before the Christmas break, it would have been a hockey trade involving two struggling forwards. But if it was after the calendar flipped to 2026, it would have come during Maccelli’s resurgence and just would not make sense. Here is what Kypreos said:
The Oilers would be looking to trade Mangiapane just for the extra cap space his departure would create, so we shouldn’t expect the return to be much. A Mangiapane trade would open up other options for Edmonton on the market, unless they could fill a need in this deal. It just hasn’t worked out between the Oilers and Mangiapane, and it’s not believed that his no trade clause would get in the way of much, as he also would like to try it somewhere else.
The Oilers were prepared to send Mangiapane to Toronto for Matias Maccelli, but the feeling is the Leafs were not too interested.
It is clear the Maple Leafs are waiting to see what happens over the next handful of games. If things go south over the next three game span, they are likely going to sell. However, if they find success, move up the standings and potentially into a playoff spot, they are likely to stand pat or even buy depending on the market.
As my colleague Peter Baracchini pointed out to me, regardless of the cost for Mangiapane, it does not make sense. He said, “It doesn’t make sense even from a roster standpoint and Maccelli has been the better of the two.”
That is the reality. Maccelli has been significantly better than Mangiapane this season. With their current roster construction, it does not make much sense to add a player like him. It would not improve the lineup in a meaningful way. It would only push them closer to the cap ceiling and make it harder to retool if that is ultimately the direction they choose.
