New Man on the Block: Mattias Maccelli

On July 1st, 2026, the New York Islanders signed free agent Matias Maccelli to a 1-year, $2.25 million deal. While it can be seen as a quiet signing, the 25-year-old winger could provide something that the Islanders have desperately needed: Offensive Creativity. With the Islanders seeking to undergo a youthful evolution, handing an opportunity to a player that has a lot to prove, but has a decent foundation considering his current NHL resume, will be a fascinating subject to inspect.

Profile/Archetype

Maccelli is a playmaking winger with a high hockey IQ, vision, and playmaking ability. The 5'11" and 187 pound Finnish winger thrives in navigating the passing lanes, in which he creates plays in tight spaces while harnessing his capabilities to establish efficient scoring plays.

Maccelli is additionally known for his puck-handling skills, which enable a quick and efficient zone entry rather than over-relying on a dump and chase play style, a style that the Islanders have been quietly shaking off. Another asset of his that should be noted is his ability to slow the game down, which enables him to draw defenders towards him and find teammates in advantageous positions. But he is more than just a distributor, in which he has reached double-digit goalscoring in three of the last four seasons, which includes a career-high 17 goals during the 2023-2024 season.

That combination of scoring and playmaking is crucial to injecting some youth into a transitory offensive corps. However, a factor that has been plaguing his young career has been consistency. Ultimately, it can be argued that Maccelli was dealt a lackluster hand to kick off his career, especially under a struggling (and now former) franchise in the Arizona Coyotes, which hindered his development. Yet it will be very interesting to observe if new Head Coach, Peter DeBoer, can harness his playmaking talents to stimulate the middle-six.

Prior Tenures: Arizona, Utah, and Toronto

Mattias Maccelli was selected 98th overall by the Arizona Coyotes during the 2019 NHL draft and rapidly became a rising star amongst Clayton Keller and, at the time, Barrett Hayton. He broke out during the 2022-2023 season, where he produced 11 goals and 39 assists for 49 points in 64 games played, which earned him a spot on the All-Rookie Team. He then bested his prior season by posting 17 goals and 40 assists for 57 points in 82 games played.

When the Coyotes relocated to Utah, Maccelli struggled to replicate that production, managing just 8 goals and 10 assists for 18 points in 55 games played. As a result, Maccelli was unceremoniously traded to Toronto, where he was expected to pick up where Mitch Marner, after his departure to Las Vegas, left off.

During his one-year stint with the Maple Leafs, Maccelli bounced back, in which he scored 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 71 games. With the Leafs preparing to undergo a small retool, headed by the 2026 first overall pick in Gavin McKenna, Maccelli was thrown to the free agent market, where he will now have a new opportunity with the New York Islanders.

Projected Role & Expectations as an Islander

The New York Islanders are bringing in a young playmaker in Mattias Maccelli to serve as a stimulant for a transitionary offensive group and to aid in the resurrection of a deflated power play.

Maccelli’s playmaking could make him an intriguing complement to the Islanders’ centers, particularly Matthew Barzal and Bo Horvat, depending on where he will be deployed throughout the lineup. Rather than setting unrealistic expectations on the young forward, comparable to how the Leafs attempted to replace a former franchise forward in Mitch Marner’s contributions with Maccelli, it should be expected that the Islanders will use Maccelli as more of a catalyst rather than a finishing touch. Additionally, newly hired head coach Peter DeBoer will likely weaponize his playmaking abilities to successfully deliver the puck to a goal scorer’s stick rather than having to drive the top six's offensive rush.

The power play will likely be another area where Maccelli’s presence could be an immediate help. Maccelli recorded 25 power play points between 2022 and 2024 and 37 power play points overall., illustrating how he can be a productive member of a power play unit as he is given the available space to use the open ice as his canvas.

At the end of the day, fans shouldn’t expect the suns and stars out of a forward who is still seeking his place in the NHL after a decent start to his career during his first few years. If Maccelli can contribute a decent 45-55 points this year, then that would be a massive win for a player who was signed to a prove-it deal during the free agency cycle.

In a best-case scenario, come the trade deadline, the Islanders can make the necessary decisions depending on what direction the season has taken. If the Islanders are looking to sell, then Maccelli would easily be a piece that could move the needle for a competing team and result in a decently sized return in draft capital. But if the Islanders are competing for a playoff spot, then it is clear that he could further establish himself as a dependable middle-six winger which could signal a more long-term extension.

As a result, Mattias Maccelli’s signing is a low-risk bet on a player who has already demonstrated, to an extent, that he can produce at the NHL level. The playmaker is a useful and youthful asset to provide a jolt of energy in an Islanders' offense that is looking to evolve in a faster and more skillful NHL. For this signing to be a resounding success, Maccelli needs to demonstrate that he belongs on the Island while the Islanders must avoid making the same mistakes that his former teams have made and provide him the tools he needs to succeed in the NHL.

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