The Boston Bruins got one surprise on Monday when restricted free-agent decisions came into focus: defenseman Jordan Harris was among the players who did not receive a qualifying offer, even after dealing with an injury in 2025-26 and showing signs he could be a depth piece for head coach Marco Sturm.
But the more obvious opening may have come from Toronto.
The Maple Leafs appear to be moving on from forward Matias Maccelli, and if he reaches free agency on July 1, Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney should be right in the mix. Toronto’s decision could hand Boston a chance to add a younger forward who can help right away.
That kind of move fits the shape of Boston’s offseason. Sweeney is trying to patch up the roster on the fly while building around Charlie McAvoy, David Pastrnak and Jeremy Swayman, with the goal of getting back to the playoffs next season. The Bruins still need help at forward and also need a right-shot defenseman.
They addressed one of those needs last Friday night by landing right wing JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth for two first-round picks. Even with that addition, Boston still needs a top-six center, whether that comes via trade or free agency.
That’s easier said than done. Maccelli, though, is the kind of player who makes sense if the Bruins want more youth and immediate production.
Boston has reason to pay attention to what happens with Maccelli because he was effective for Toronto in 2025-26. After being traded from the Utah Mammoth to the Maple Leafs last June, he put up 14 goals and 25 assists in 71 games for a team that was tanking down the stretch. Those numbers weren’t a career best, but they came after he recorded 17 goals and 40 assists for the Arizona Coyotes in 2023-24.
At 5-foot-11, Maccelli checks the box Boston is trying to fill up front: younger talent that can contribute while the club stays competitive with its core. Peterka fits that description, and Maccelli does too. There would be other teams interested, but if he becomes available, he’s the kind of player who could help the Bruins next season and beyond.
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