When the New York Rangers approach this trade deadline, they must make difficult decisions based on what is best for the roster and the best value. There will be opportunities for different trade partners for various positions. However, one of the most opportunistic chances to get great value might be providing itself currently in the NHL's newest market. The Utah Hockey Club has an ongoing situation with one of its Finnish forwards, Matias Maccelli. He's not a household name, but he is a player who could do a job for the New York Rangers.
Maccelli is just 24 years old, drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL entry draft by the Arizona Coyotes. The Turku, Finland native has been one of the premier setup men in the desert for a few years before the teams transfer to Utah. He finished his first complete season in the NHL with 49 points in 64 games. He followed that up with 57 points in 82 games, but he's struggled in the NHL's newest city.
This season, in Utah, Maccelli has amassed just eight goals and ten assists for 18 points in 52 games. He's spent time as a healthy scratch in Salt Lake City, and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggests this is a situation to watch in the coming weeks. Maccelli's sitting on the outside looking in with the Utah organization, and there will be teams trying to take advantage of a young player having a down year.
We've seen that in the exemplary scenario, Maccelli can explode offensively. His passing will help the Rangers scorers generate chances, and pairing him with someone like Arthur Kaliyev to get that dangerous shot firing pucks at the net. However, it took a period of adjustment for Maccelli to get used to Arizona, so patience from the fans and the coaching staff would be required. Is that something the Rangers can afford at this time of the year?