OLLI MAATTA - Defenseman - 24 - $4.08MM Cap Hit - UFA in 2022-2023
LAST UPDATED 8/20/19
While Olli Matta is a very refined defenseman with impeccable technique and defensive awareness, his wheels keep him from reaching that next level of leaguewide value. Despite all of his talents, Maatta is incredibly slow. He doesn't have the foot speed to move the puck well, and he lacks the edgework and acceleration to keep himself from getting beat by speedier forwards. This sad fact about Maatta's game is so disappointing because Maatta is so skilled in pretty much every other facet of the game, but his inability to be a plus skater keeps him back. There are certain areas of the game where Maatta's poor skating doesn't matter as much. First and foremost, the penalty kill. On the PK, Maatta just needs to rely on his defensive awareness, strength and sound positioning skills to make an impact, and he's exceptional. He's an outstanding penalty killer and can help anchor a high-end first unit. On 5v5 defense, Maatta provides that same value when pinned in the zone, but if he needs to burst for a loose puck or carry out the puck himself, he'll struggle, making him only a slight plus on 5v5 defense. Offensively, Maatta is smart enough and a good enough passer to make an impact, but his lack of foot speed means he won't be able to move the puck in transition, hampering his offensive upside. Maatta is a very trustworthy, refined defenseman, capable of playing top-4 minutes easily with a partner who's fast enough to cover for his one fatal flaw.
While Olli Matta is a very refined defenseman with impeccable technique and defensive awareness, his wheels keep him from reaching that next level of leaguewide value. Despite all of his talents, Maatta is incredibly slow. He doesn't have the foot speed to move the puck well, and he lacks the edgework and acceleration to keep himself from getting beat by speedier forwards. This sad fact about Maatta's game is so disappointing because Maatta is so skilled in pretty much every other facet of the game, but his inability to be a plus skater keeps him back. There are certain areas of the game where Maatta's poor skating doesn't matter as much. First and foremost, the penalty kill. On the PK, Maatta just needs to rely on his defensive awareness, strength and sound positioning skills to make an impact, and he's exceptional. He's an outstanding penalty killer and can help anchor a high-end first unit. On 5v5 defense, Maatta provides that same value when pinned in the zone, but if he needs to burst for a loose puck or carry out the puck himself, he'll struggle, making him only a slight plus on 5v5 defense. Offensively, Maatta is smart enough and a good enough passer to make an impact, but his lack of foot speed means he won't be able to move the puck in transition, hampering his offensive upside. Maatta is a very trustworthy, refined defenseman, capable of playing top-4 minutes easily with a partner who's fast enough to cover for his one fatal flaw.
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