BREAKING NEWS

"Red Wings Trade D Olli Maatta to Utah HC"

"Red Wings Trade D Olli Maatta to Utah HC"

The Utah Hockey Club acquired defender Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday, obtaining a third-round 2025 NHL Draft selection in return.

Maatta, aged 30, was selected as the No. 22 overall pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2012 draft. The Finn has recorded 40 goals and 137 assists in 691 regular-season games with the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Red Wings. He achieved two Stanley Cups with Pittsburgh in the early stages of his career.

In the current season, he participated in seven games with Detroit and did not record any points. In the previous season, he tallied 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and a plus-14 rating in 72 games.

Utah general manager Bill Armstrong stated on Wednesday, "I believe that with the addition of (Maatta), we have gained a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He brings a lot of stability to our defense, which is what we need. One of our main objectives is to reduce our goals against, and he will contribute to that stability on the back end."

Armstrong also emphasized the importance of Maatta's experience for the team.

He said, "It is significant for us to add another Stanley Cup winner to our locker room. As I have mentioned before, we are one of the youngest teams in the League. Therefore, in games like the one we had the other night, we need to remain composed and have a strong veteran presence to secure the win."

Maatta is currently in the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract that he signed with the Red Wings in February 2022. If he does not extend his contract with Utah, he will become an unrestricted free agent.

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