In an attempt to shore up an injury-laden D-core, Utah HC received veteran Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2025 third-round draft pick. Maatta’s availability in Calgary on Wednesday is unknown. Utah starts a four-game road trip on Saturday in Vegas which he should be dressed for. How will this deal work out for Utah HC and Olli Maatta?
No-Brainer Trade For Utah HC
There was much hype surrounding Utah HC heading into this season. Not only were they making the much-anticipated move from Arizona to Salt Lake City, but this roster has been improving year after year, and was expected to make a significant jump this season. There was hope that a playoff appearance would be on the horizon. After winning four of their first six, all but one of those wins in overtime, news of Sean Durzi and John Marino‘s surgeries was a massive blow to the defense, not to mention their hope for the playoffs. Utah has lost four in a row since.
Marino missed training camp, but the severity of his injury was not fully known. Durzi is one of the up-and-coming defensemen in the NHL who was expected to take a massive step this season. Marino will be out until at least February and Durzi may be done for the season.
Olli Maatta is an excellent addition to Utah HC, who will soak up minutes both on the bottom four and on the penalty kill. He’s played 691 games in the NHL, racking up 40 goals, 137 assists, and 177 points, as well as a +75 plus/minus and 1,053 blocked shots. The 30-year-old defenseman was drafted 22nd overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2012, winning two Stanley Cups with the Pens in 2016 and 2017.
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