After having a career year last season, this year has been the exact opposite for Utah Hockey Club forward Matias Maccelli. The left winger was scratched for the eleventh straight game ahead of Friday’s 4-2 defeat to the Seattle Kraken. It is clear that Maccelli has fallen out of favour with the team amid his slump. You may recall, he finished fourth in the NHL’s Calder Trophy race in 2023-2024
Matias Maccelli Needs a Boost in Utah
With another year left on his contract at a cap hit of $3.425 million, Maccelli was a strong candidate to be dealt at this year’s trade deadline. However, nothing materialized and he ended up staying with Utah. A fresh start could have been what the 24-year-old needed, but a move never occurred. With Maccelli struggling, Utah opted to use more physical forwards in the lineup. Veterans Liam O’Brien and Michael Carcone recently played in his place
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Utah Hockey Club forward Matias Maccelli has experienced a significant downturn this season compared to his standout performance in 2023-2024. After finishing fourth in the NHL’s Calder Trophy race last season, Maccelli has struggled to replicate that success, accumulating only 18 points so far this season.
His diminished production has led to him being a healthy scratch for eleven consecutive games, including Utah’s recent 4-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken.
Despite having another year left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.425 million, Maccelli was considered a potential trade candidate before the deadline. However, no deal materialized, and he remains with Utah
In his absence, the team has opted for more physical forwards, such as veterans Liam O’Brien and Michael Carcone.
With only 16 games left in the regular season and Utah vying for a playoff spot, Maccelli’s future with the team remains uncertain.
His situation underscores the volatility of player performance in professional sports, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptability.
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