The Red Wings signed Olli Maatta to a one-year, $2.25 million contract this morning, and DetroitRedWings.com’s Jonathan Mills found that Maatta is particularly excited about joining his new team:
“I think it’s an exciting time, especially when you look at their team,” said Maatta, who had one goal and seven assists in 66 games last season with the Los Angeles Kings. “They’re young, but I think when you see the players they already had before free agency started, now adding a bunch of big pieces, I think that’s a great place and it’s an exciting time. Everybody knows; you can definitely see it.”
Maatta plans on being a mainstay on Detroit’s backline, but also hopes to contribute offensively.
“I’m known as a defensive guy,” Maatta said. “But I think I got more offense in my game than my stats show the last couple of years. That’s definitely something I’ve been working on.”
Maatta also brings valuable postseason experience to a young Red Wings roster, winning back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2016 and 2017.
The 27-year-old Maatta said he’s looking forward to seeing Moritz Seider‘s development up close.
“He’s an awesome player to watch,” Maatta said. “He’s already a great player and he’s gonna be a stud, so it’s just exciting to see that.”
