Wild trade for Tarasenko and Mammoth send Maccelli to Maple Leafs on eve of NHL free agency

The Minnesota Wild got winger Vladimir Tarasenko for nothing on the eve of NHL free agency, acquiring the two-time Stanley Cup champion in a trade Monday with the Detroit Red Wings for future considerations.

Tarasenko, 33, has one year left on his contract at a salary cap hit of $4.75 million. He helped Florida win the Cup last year after being a key part of St. Louis' championship run in 2019.

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The Utah Mammoth also traded young forward Matias Maccelli to Toronto for a conditional 2027 third-round pick. It turns into a second-rounder in 2029 if Maccelli has 51-plus points and the Maple Leafs make the playoffs next season.

“We appreciate everything that Matias has done for the organization,” Utah general manager Bill Armstrong said. “He is a great person, consummate professional, and we wish him all the best.”

The moves came with the league awaiting what happens with Leafs pending free agent Mitch Marner and who the back-to-back defending champion Panthers are able to bring back between Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. They already re-signed Conn Smythe Trophy winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract.

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