Speculation: Olli Maatta

[T1K]

It's his skating, which has been poor from the get go. You don't become slower from not playing, you get rusty. As it stands, Olli Maatta is the anti-thesis of the direction this team is headed with being fast.

Maybe give him one more year, if he doesn't turn it up, which he most likely won't because again - it's his skating that is getting him in trouble - then you take what you can get for him. Or if it's that bad, you absolutely leave him open for the expansion draft and get out from that contract.

You can improve on your skating. One of the guys that smoked us tonight, Drouin, is absolutely proof of that. He went from going from a relatively poor skater in his draft year to a very good skater now. Maatta hasn't had a fair shake to work on his skating during the offseason throughout his career because of his injury and health situation. I just hope that he is aware of his poor skating, or that someone brings it to his attention because that's the only thing holding him back.

 

[FreeBobbyFarnham]

It's his skating, which has been poor from the get go. You don't become slower from not playing, you get rusty. As it stands, Olli Maatta is the anti-thesis of the direction this team is headed with being fast.

Maybe give him one more year, if he doesn't turn it up, which he most likely won't because again - it's his skating that is getting him in trouble - then you take what you can get for him. Or if it's that bad, you absolutely leave him open for the expansion draft and get out from that contract.

That's a very good point. Maybe he was a better fit under Johnston because of the slower pace this team had back then. Now that it's all about speed Olli has a harder time adjusting.

 

[T1K]

It should have never come to this point, but yeah, as of now Dumoulin´s injury complicates matters. But I would still bench him, he is worse than both Schultz, Pouliot. The worst defenseman out of our 8 defensemen needs to sit, it´s that simple. He brings nothing to the table, only problems. Enough is enough.

He can receive a pass, something Cole seemingly isn't capable of

 

[xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Maatta isn't a bust, but his skating is laughably bad. Like, Craig Adams bad.

If he can work on that this summer and at least get it to a level where he's an average skater, he'll be perfectly fine. That's a big if, sure, but I don't think it's unheard of.

His poor decision making and poor positioning all stem from a lack of confidence and ability regarding his skating.

 

[madinsomniac]

The knee jerk reactions here are absurd. Yes he is down after everything he went through but his skating will come back as will his confidence... Even if he gets sat this postseason

 

[Honour Over Glory]

The problem is if you sit Olli, you play Pouliot and he's even worse right now.

I didn't want the kid back at all, I think he should be shut down and let him get in shape again.

 

[WayneSid9987]

They should do what Tampa does.
Go 11F7D.
Limit Maatta's time vs Tampa's top 2 lines.

I'd bench Kunitz but loltheywontdothat.
They'd probably bench Rust or Sheary.

 

[canadianguy77]

It's obviously time for him to sit, but for some reason he's held in the same rarified air as Kunitz is.

 

[stouves]

Maata has been a bad skater for his whole career.

He has been slow and made a fool of time and time again. There has been so many times when i've watched him and he gets beaten and deked by 3rd liners.

I vote we sit him for the rest of the playoffs.

Just look at the replay on Killorns goal, are you kidding me? He looks like a 60 year old guy trying to re-live his youth. Schultz should play.

Maata needs a full summer of strength and skating. He should be nowhere near a conference final.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Maatta's skating was not this bad a year or two ago. It wasn't good, but this is a different level of bad.

 

[Shrimper]

Trade him, if no one wants him. Unprotect him. Hes garbage

And sign who to replace him?

Give him an injury free season and he'll be fine

 

[Jackpot Jaret]

You want to give up on a young defenceman that hasn't even hit 22 yet? Do you even understand how development works? Typical HF thread.

 

[Pens17]

You can improve on your skating. One of the guys that smoked us tonight, Drouin, is absolutely proof of that. He went from going from a relatively poor skater in his draft year to a very good skater now. Maatta hasn't had a fair shake to work on his skating during the offseason throughout his career because of his injury and health situation. I just hope that he is aware of his poor skating, or that someone brings it to his attention because that's the only thing holding him back.

No question that improvement is possible. If Olli diligently, dedicatedly, and determinedly works on his issues (pleural) in WBS for a year or so, he potentially becomes serviceable!

 

[Big McLargehuge]

Good ****ing grief.

Let the kid be healthy for an extended period of time before we crown him the new scapegoat.

 

[Dipsy Doodle]

Maatta's clearly still hampered out there. This is not the Maatta we're accustomed to seeing. It's up to Sullivan to take him out of the line-up for Schultz if Dumo's not injured.

 

[YeeYee]

His confidence is just as much a problem as his skating right now, Both of those can improve. He needs to sit in the press box right now, but giving up on him completely absolutely not. A confident Maatta at $4mil/year is a steal with how dmen will be getting paid in the coming years.

 

[Shrimper]

Part of me think he is playing poorly at the moment since he got hit in the head by Orpik. I think he has a concussion or lingering issues and he isn't quite there. I think he needs to sit for the next game.

 

[Crosberry87]

Maatta's lack of mobility is disturbing. Trade his ass.

 

[Empoleon8771]

Maatta is 22 years old. Jesus, some of you people need to get a grip. Maatta should be healthy scratched for a couple games. Saying he should get traded is downright idiotic and super reactionary.

 

[Crosbyfan]

Would be a good race between him and Larry Murphy.

It would be close...considering Murphy's age...

 

[FreeBobbyFarnham]

Part of me think he is playing poorly at the moment since he got hit in the head by Orpik. I think he has a concussion or lingering issues and he isn't quite there. I think he needs to sit for the next game.

He was playing poorly even before the Orpik hit.

 

[Chazz]

he needs to work with a skating coach this offseason.......

 

[SEALBound]

Kid needs a good off season of training. Get him with a good power skating coach and give him next year. If we are seeing the same thing, we may look into different options.

There's room for frustration right now. Not panic.

 

[Camille the Eel]

he needs to work with a skating coach this offseason.......

fundamental positioning is complimentary with skating. The mistake last night was as to position as much as skating.

The kid is a kid. Very young. Anybody would love him. Right now there's a spot light on everyone, this is the big room and every play is put under a microscope.

 

[Ugene Magic]

They should do what Tampa does.
Go 11F7D.
Limit Maatta's time vs Tampa's top 2 lines.

I'd bench Kunitz but loltheywontdothat.
They'd probably bench Rust or Sheary.

Maatta just isn't for a series against a fast team. Schultz is much better suited. He shouldn't even be dressed.

You'll gain nothing not being able to run 4 lines deep on this Tampa team.

Kunitz, he's not the reason they lost, and he's the closest thing you have to a banger.