Speculation: Olli Maatta

[Jacob]

The team got faster, Maatta got slower. A full offseason plus the normal improvements a 21/22 year old makes will make a world of difference.

 

[ncm7772]

HCMS mentioned Maatta's lower playing time in Game 1 today. He at least acknowledged Maatta's poor play, so there's that. Really, really hope Sullivan scratches him. We all know he won't, but we can hope.

 

[jmelm]

I remember it wasn't too long ago many people were talking about getting rid of Kris Letang and how he wouldn't be worth signing for #1 Dman money. Where are those people now?


I'm not saying Maatta will be as good as Letang, but any Maatta detractors have completely lost all perspective of the development curve of young defensemen. People are also out to lunch if they think the development curve of players (especially Dmen) is linear, and that players won't have ups and downs. And that is not even factoring in the ****load of health issues he's had to deal with.

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

Maybe Maata can make a successful comeback next season. This post season, he needs to be on the bench - especially in a series predicated entirely on speed from both teams.

 

[Doogle]

I don't see him as a fit for what this team wants to be. It seems as if the coaching staff has little confidence in Pouliot or Schultz, either. I think they like both of their offensive capabilities, but not enough to play either consistently. I could see us overhauling our defense in the offseason. Or at least attempting to do as much.

Maybe if we want to add an offensively gifted defenseman who can skate better than Maata, we should trade Maata for picks or prospects and then sign Goligoski. While gogo is obviously older, the additional benefits of the return on the trade would add more youth for later on, while giving us a good top four player who fits the system we're running now.

 

[Honour Over Glory]

I like Maatta and he'll have a great career, but man he needs to be shut down so he can catch up to the development and training he's missed.

 

[AquaticBirdman]

I felt that his recent extension was a bit of gamble. If he commits himself to improving the ongoing weaknesses in his game over the course of the summer then I'll feel better about it. If not however, then it was a bad move on JR's part.

 

[KIRK]

I felt that his recent extension was a bit of gamble. If he commits himself to improving the ongoing weaknesses in his game over the course of the summer then I'll feel better about it. If not however, then it was a bad move on JR's part.

I don't doubt that he's banged up, but yeah, you need to see that commitment this summer. If you get it, then the Pens D is set. If you don't, then there's a major hole and a major cap liability.

You know as disappointing as the defensive issues have been, I think he's regressed in terms of decision marking and decisiveness with the puck offensively.

That's really why Schultz is in. Not just the skating struggles, but the idea that he's not making up for it by bringing sufficiently more offensively than a Cole or a Lovejoy right now.

 

[Ogrezilla]

I don't doubt that he's banged up, but yeah, you need to see that commitment this summer. If you get it, then the Pens D is set. If you don't, then there's a major hole and a major cap liability.

You know as disappointing as the defensive issues have been, I think he's regressed in terms of decision marking and decisiveness with the puck offensively.

I would think it has to be getting into his head at this point. He almost certainly knows if he makes a mistake, he can't effectively recover. So he's probably overthinking a lot of plays.

 

[AquaticBirdman]

I don't doubt that he's banged up, but yeah, you need to see that commitment this summer. If you get it, then the Pens D is set. If you don't, then there's a major hole and a major cap liability.

You know as disappointing as the defensive issues have been, I think he's regressed in terms of decision marking and decisiveness with the puck offensively.

Agreed, which is my biggest concern. Improving tangible areas like skating is very doable and a relatively easy fix. However he has shown considerable regression in more mental aspects of his game, which unfortunately takes considerably more than just a few months of off-season training to remedy.

Maatta just doesn't seem to have the same level of confidence that we saw from him in his rookie year...

 

[KIRK]

I would think it has to be getting into his head at this point. He almost certainly knows if he makes a mistake, he can't effectively recover. So he's probably overthinking a lot of plays.

Fair point, but the offensive game is troubling too.

Agreed, which is my biggest concern. Improving tangible areas like skating is very doable and a relatively easy fix. However he has shown considerable regression in more mental aspects of his game, which unfortunately takes considerably more than just a few months of off-season training to remedy.

Maatta just doesn't seem to have the same level of confidence that we saw from him in his rookie year...

Yep.

As I said, I think this is why Schultz is in. If you're going to have a guy who might end up being a turnstile a few times, then at least put the one in there who's going to make difference making offensive plays and help push cleaner breakouts.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Agreed, which is my biggest concern. Improving tangible areas like skating is very doable and a relatively easy fix. However he has shown considerable regression in more mental aspects of his game, which unfortunately takes considerably more than just a few months of off-season training to remedy.

Maatta just doesn't seem to have the same level of confidence that we saw from him in his rookie year...

it would be amazing to me if he did. This kid has had a hell of a rough two years.

 

[Ogrezilla]

Fair point, but the offensive game is troubling too.

Right, I was talking about the offensive game. When he has the puck, he is probably terrified of making a mistake that he knows he can't recover from. Or when he is deciding if he should pinch or step up or whatever other plays he wants to make.

 

[JTG]

Olli Maatta is a 20 year old who is physically drained from the injuries this season. He's a great hockey player, but needs an offseason to get his bearings again.

 

[Darth Vitale]

The team got faster, Maatta got slower. A full offseason plus the normal improvements a 21/22 year old makes will make a world of difference.

Yep.

...any Maatta detractors have completely lost all perspective of the development curve of young defensemen. People are also out to lunch if they think the development curve of players (especially Dmen) is linear, and that players won't have ups and downs. And that is not even factoring in the ****load of health issues he's had to deal with.

Extra yep.

 

[UnrealMachine]

He is currently skating like he has 2 pulled groins, 2 cramped hamstrings or 2 torn quads? It's not just his lack of acceleration/speed - he is having trouble with stops as well.

 

[Jacob]

He is currently skating like he has 2 pulled groins, 2 cramped hamstrings or 2 torn quads? It's not just his lack of acceleration/speed - he is having trouble with stops as well.

I assume getting run into the open bench door isn't helping anything.

 

[WooWooKennyWu*]

Nicklas Lidstrom. Do you remember that? Some of the most asinine posting I have ever seen.

He is and will always be a more offensively gifted Zybanek Michalek. Edit some of the stats and you get Olli Maatta. I liked his skating when he came out now he is downright awful

I think he needs some serious training and skating development this summer. I'd like to see him come back 10 pounds heavier and faster and he'll be fine

 

[Empoleon8771]

Comparing Maatta and Michalek may be one of the dumbest player comparisons I've ever seen. Like seriously, it's laughably wrong and just incredibly stupid. The only way that Maatta and Michalek are similar is that they're defenseman, that's basically it.

 

[JTG]

I don't think Maatta has a skating issue. I think Maatta has an energy and endurance issue, which is a direct effect of his thyroid issues. It takes a while to get the medications correct. Maatta was a perfectly fine skater when he came into the league, and though every player can use some work in that regard, I think the lack of speed is a secondary thing to his overall energy and endurance.

 

[BeatenLikeRentedMule]

I don't see him as a fit for what this team wants to be. It seems as if the coaching staff has little confidence in Pouliot or Schultz, either. I think they like both of their offensive capabilities, but not enough to play either consistently. I could see us overhauling our defense in the offseason. Or at least attempting to do as much.

Maybe if we want to add an offensively gifted defenseman who can skate better than Maata, we should trade Maata for picks or prospects and then sign Goligoski. While gogo is obviously older, the additional benefits of the return on the trade would add more youth for later on, while giving us a good top four player who fits the system we're running now.

Do we really wanna bring back a former defenseman considering the disasters that Scuderi and Lovejoy turned out to be?

 

[PKV Jungle Friends]

This is not difficult, folks.

Not getting it done right now and now is not the time to let him work things out, so he gets the bench in favor of Schultz, who's speed will be a help in this particular series anyway.

Spend the offseason being healthy and working on his game and come back from there.

Future = should be fine
Now = I don't give a crap how much money you make, grab a seat

 

[Darth Vitale]

I don't think anyone wants him in there right now. The debate stems from some people being so blind and lacking in the lessons of history that they're ready to trade the kid away at 21 because he had a lousy year.

 

[Joejosh999]

I don't think Maatta has a skating issue. I think Maatta has an energy and endurance issue, which is a direct effect of his thyroid issues. It takes a while to get the medications correct. Maatta was a perfectly fine skater when he came into the league, and though every player can use some work in that regard, I think the lack of speed is a secondary thing to his overall energy and endurance.

Having had the same issue as Maatta I've been thinking that for awhile now, though I still think his foot is not right and that is hampering his skating.

For me, my energy has never been the same, and this is after about 8 yrs of trying and working w 3 different specialists and 7 different meds. For some people meds simply cannot replace the gland effectively.

I hope that is not the case w Maatta.

 

[JTG]

Having had the same issue as Maatta I've been thinking that for awhile now, though I still think his foot is not right and that is hampering his skating.

For me, my energy has never been the same, and this is after about 8 yrs of trying and working w 3 different specialists and 7 different meds. For some people meds simply cannot replace the gland effectively.

I hope that is not the case w Maatta.

Which is a very real possibility. What we saw when Maatta was a rookie may never be there again. He's a guy depended on to play 22-25 mins a game. He very well may not be able to do it, and I could see him being a guy who wears down by the end of the season. It's unfortunate, but it's just the cards we have potentially been dealt with him.