The Free Press’s Helene St. James posted an article this morning which discusses new Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta, who feels that he’s got more to give as a 28-year-old with 10 years’ worth of NHL experience:
Määttä (6 feet 2, 210 pounds) and fellow free-agent signing Ben Chiarot (6-3, 234) both shoot left and project to pair with right-side defenders Moritz Seider and Filip Hronek. [GM Steve] Yzerman described Määttä and Chiarot as “defense-first defenders, bigger bodies that get in the way, are hard to play against, can block shots.”
Määttä was sold on being part of Yzerman’s rebuilding plans.
“I have to be honest with myself about where I’m at — last couple seasons haven’t been that great,” Määttä said. “I know I have a lot more in me. I think this is a great opportunity to show that I do have a lot more in me, that I can play in this league for a long time and in a bigger role than I’ve had the last couple seasons. That was one of the reasons I wanted to come to Detroit. I do heartily believe that when the team is good and everything clicks, everybody just looks better. It’s an exciting team, and good team. Having a new coaching staff, a really good culture that everybody wants to win.”
The Wings look the best they have since Yzerman was named GM in April 2019, with an influx of talent at all three positions. Seider, the 2022 NHL rookie of the year, boosted the offense the Wings got from the back end, and while Määttä was primarily added for his defensive game, his history shows he can contribute points, too. He twice reached 20 assists during his six seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted him 22nd overall. Määttä had 13 assists in 2018-19 with the Penguins and again the next season with the Chicago Blackhawks, but has just 11 assists combined the last two seasons, both spent with the Los Angeles Kings.
“I know my stats the last two years aren’t that good but I know I have more offense in my game than there has been,” Määttä said. “But the first mentality is I go out there and keep my own goal clean.”
Continued (paywall)
