- Utah Mammoth traded Matias Maccelli to Toronto, gaining $3.4 million in cap space.
- Mammoth's GM Bill Armstrong focuses on planning ahead, avoiding overspending in free agency.
- Team aims to secure current players, prioritizing depth and strategic signings for future success.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Mammoth made their second trade in less than a week Monday ahead of the NHL free agency period opening up Tuesday morning.
The club announced the departure of 24-year-old left winger Matias Maccelli from Finland, in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick in the 2027 NHL draft from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The third-round pick will upgrade to a 2029 second-round pick if Maccelli records at least 51 points during the 2025-26 season and Toronto also qualifies for the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
"We appreciate everything that Matias has done for the organization," Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong said. "He is a great person, consummate professional, and we wish him all the best."
Maccelli registered eight goals and 10 assists in 55 games with Utah during the 2024-25 season. His move leaves Olli Maata as the lone Finn remaining on the Mammoth roster, and also opens up $3.4 million in cap space to bring Utah's total available salary up to an estimated $18.4 million heading into free agency.
So what will Armstrong and the Mammoth do with that money?
"Everybody thinks they're going to get paid because of the cap going up," Armstrong said. "Everybody's got high expectations; but the truth of it is that for us, we have to plan ahead. We go out and spend all our money this summer, we're not going to have any left for the next summer."
The planning ahead for the Mammoth begins by securing the players they already have in Utah, which includes 25-year-old center and restricted free agent Jack McBain.
The team announced Monday that it extended a qualifying offer to McBain, meaning the Mammoth will have the opportunity to match any offer made by another team for McBain.
The Toronto native made just under $1.6 million last season, but after playing in all 82 games for Utah in its inaugural season and finishing top 10 on the team in points, he is likely due for a pay raise.
🎙️ Mic'd up with McBain!
— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) January 14, 2025
We put a mic on Jack McBain for his 200th career @NHL game! pic.twitter.com/17mKJlVT3l
"We've had great talks with Jack and his agency, and he's been very professional on his side," Armstrong said. "It's not an easy fight, but, you know, it's good. I think we're both on the same page. Hopefully, at some point in time during the summer, we move a little closer to getting the deal done."
Utah's unrestricted free agents include defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, center Nick Bjugstad and left winger Michael Carcone; and it appears all three could be signing with new teams this offseason.
As far as signing players from elsewhere in the league, Armstrong identified depth at the goaltender position as the main priority after trading for and signing forward J.J. Peterka to a five-year deal last week to satisfy some of Utah's scoring needs.
The Utah boss said the team won't be breaking the bank with any massive "$40 million" free agent signings, though. The plan is to build around Utah's young core and add "some complimentary guys" that can "help drive the club" toward the playoffs in 2026.
"We want to make sure that we find players in free agency that make us a better team and help us get into the playoffs, but they don't stop us from being great when we need to be; and that's five years down the road," Armstrong said. "This time of year, everybody says we're 'in on this player,' but don't believe everything you read."
