The Toronto Maple Leafs started this season with specific, modest hopes for forwards Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli. The plan was for them to be reliable role players, quietly boosting the team's depth and providing a steady push forward. However, the reality has been starkly different, forcing the organisation to invest significant salary cap space, draft capital, and patience into two players who have consistently failed to find their footing.
A Scathing Verdict and Internal Disappointment
The frustration is palpable, both in the media and within the club's walls. Former player and analyst Jeff O'Neill did not mince words, stating bluntly that "Joshua and Maccelli have done jack squat for this hockey team since coming here." This public criticism echoes the private sentiment inside the Maple Leafs' organisation, which expected a much greater sense of purpose and on-ice presence from the duo. The situation has now reached a critical juncture, compelling the team to consider a tough decision: continue to wait for a breakthrough, or pivot and explore trade options while other teams might still show interest.
Clashing with the Berube Hockey Identity
The core of the problem lies in a fundamental mismatch with Coach Craig Berube's established system. Berube's hockey philosophy is no secret; he demands relentless pressure on the puck, physical responsibility, and a clear, identity-driven style of play.
For Matias Maccelli, the challenge is philosophical. His natural, finesse-first approach to the game directly collides with Berube's demand for a straightforward, north-south game plan. Maccelli himself acknowledged this internal conflict, revealing, "It's just trying to play my own game, but at the same time trying to play smart and not have too many turnovers." This comment highlights a player caught between his instincts and his coach's instructions. A popular quip on the OverDrive show about not being able to "Maccelli this thing" has evolved from a joke into a telling reflection of his professional crossroads.
Dakota Joshua presents a different, perhaps more perplexing, issue. With a sturdy 6'3", 210-pound frame, he physically looks like the perfect prototype for a Craig Berube forward. He has the ideal build for a net-front presence and a checking role. Yet, despite his imposing physique, he visually disappears during games. The speed of the NHL action appears to be just half a step beyond him, leaving him constantly reacting to the play rather than dictating it. His self-awareness is evident, as he admitted, "There's no time to be the new guy anymore." However, this urgency has not translated into on-ice results, with a meagre 5 points in 22 games and minimal impact in defensive situations.
Finite Patience and a Ticking Clock
The Toronto Maple Leafs' patience is wearing thin. The message from the coaching staff has been sent loud and clear: both Joshua and Maccelli were recently made healthy scratches. This is a not-so-subtle signal that their current level of performance is unacceptable.
If the club does not see a significant and immediate shift in their contributions, these two players risk being re-categorised from projects being developed into classic mid-season trade assets. A trade is not a foregone conclusion, but the clock is no longer ticking in the background; for both Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli, time is rapidly running out in Toronto.
