Maple Leafs Organization Reportedly Loses Defenseman to European Team
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers – Imagn Images
While the Maple Leafs are currently focused on the playoffs, the organization has reportedly lost one of their defensemen to Adler Mannheim, based in Europe.
Zach Solow, Joseph Blandisi, and Nicolas Mattinen were the trio that had drawn interest from the German club, and on Tuesday, it was reported that Mattinen is indeed heading back to his roots after having spent a season in the DEL prior to re-joining the Toronto Maple Leafs organization.
Mattinen was originally drafted by the Leafs in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and spent 4 years in the OHL before jetting off to the Ontario University Athletics league for 2 seasons. He finally made his professional debut in 2021-22 with the Laval Rocket of the AHL before 2 amazing seasons in Europe, one of which led him to win the MVP honours in 2023-24.
He notched 42 points in 46 games for VSV EC in Austria in 2022-23 before a 16-goal and 46-point season in 52 games the following year for Straubing Tigers where he was named the player of the year. He then joined the Marlies after a strong bounce-back but wasn’t able to generate much momentum in North America.
Mattinen managed to suit up in 22 games for the Marlies this season, where he added 4 assists and 8 PIMs to go along with a minus-4 rating. It was a near night and day difference from the previous season that saw him dominate the DEL.
Previously on MapleLeafsDaily
MAPLELEAFSDAILY.COM
COPYRIGHT @2025 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMSÂ Â –Â Â POLICIES