The Utah Hockey Membership introduced that they’ve acquired defenseman Olli Määttä from the Detroit Crimson Wings in alternate for a third-round draft alternative by way of the New York Rangers. Each Utah and the Crimson Wings confirmed the commerce on their social media pages Tuesday night.
The Utah Hockey Membership was rumored to be in search of a defenseman after information that each Sean Durzi and John Marino had been out with accidents. Durzi is dealing with an extended restoration after shoulder surgical procedure (anticipated to be out 5-6 months), whereas Marino is predicted to overlook a number of months following decrease again surgical procedure, doubtless sidelining him till February.
Maatta is a defensive defenseman who usually performs third-pairing minutes and may deal with penalty-killing duties. He also can present slightly offense when crucial. He affords reliability and consistency in an depth function.
Studies from insiders had been that Utah may attempt to make do with who they’d. In the end, the price made sense so as to add a confirmed blueliner and when recalling 2022 first-round choose Maveric Lamoureux and when Michael Kesselring seemed to be a bit dangerous, Utah pulled the set off on a commerce.
For the Crimson Wings, they get some cap flexibility and purchase a third-rounder with out retaining any wage.
Is a Maatta Commerce the Proper Match for Utah?
With a 4-4-2 report and a disappointing time beyond regulation loss to the Sharks (which included three objectives within the ultimate 5 minutes), the choice to herald Maatta, a extra inexpensive possibility made sense. This was a inexpensive possibility than a few of the different names linked to the workforce.
Maatta has performed seven video games with the Crimson Wings this season. He has no objectives and no assists. He has averaged 15:52 per sport in 2024-25. These are the bottom totals of the 30-year-old’s NHL profession. Maatta has another season on his present deal after this season at a cap hit of $3 million.
Subsequent: NHL Commerce Discuss Recap: Oilers, Maple Leafs, Flyers, Canadiens & Senators
