According to The Athletic’s Max Bultman, the Detroit Red Wings are close to signing defensive defenseman Olli Maatta. TSN’s Darren Dreger reports the team is finalizing a one-year, $2.25MM contract. Maatta arrives in Detroit after two seasons on the Los Angeles Kings.
Although Maatta, 27, isn’t quite what some assumed he’d be after being selected 22nd overall at the 2012 NHL draft, he’s still carved himself out a nice career. At just 27 years old Maatta is a veteran of over 500 NHL games and has two Stanley Cup rings from his time on the Pittsburgh Penguins. Maatta’s foot speed is what’s held him back from a greater NHL role, as his skating deficiencies have become even more pronounced in a speed-first modern NHL. But despite that weak spot, Maatta has become a relied-upon NHL defenseman who has stuck around in a third-pairing role.
In Los Angeles, Maatta averaged 18:17 time-on-ice per game and has averaged 18:35 per game for his career. Maatta is not an offensive producer, with only eight points in 66 games, although his 29-point season in 2017-2018 does suggest there is maybe some more production to his game than it might seem. Even so, the Red Wings aren’t signing Maatta to be an offensive threat. They’re signing him to be an affordable, safe, reliable NHL option to occupy their blueline while their talented prospects develop. Maatta, who averaged 1:46 per game on the penalty kill last season, is a solid signing for that purpose and should help new goalie Ville Husso face a less difficult nightly task than Alex Nedeljkovic frequently faced last season.
Olli, too slowly! Oh shit, I hope the better LD vet is yet to come!