News on the street has Olli Maatta missing the rest of the regular season after his latest non-surgery rehabilitation did not work. This is not all that surprising. Another surgery was the probable end destination from everything that I have heard previously.
Olli Maatta is 20 years old and the only focus should be on what is best for the long term. This season doesn’t mean anything in the grand scheme of things. He is a young player with a bright future. Don’t damage him because you are desperate to have all hands on deck in the playoff push.
2014-15 was not a banner year for Mr. Maatta. It involved shoulder surgery, cancer, mumps, and now a setback from the original surgery. That is such an unfortunate season for such a young guy.
Paul Martin cannot be traded. That’s pretty much all there is to that.
Derrick Pouliot and/or Scott Harrington will need to step up. Here is what the current Penguins defense corp. without Maatta looks like.
Ehrhoff-Letang Martin-Bortuzzo Scuderi-Despres
I just don’t think that is good enough. For right or wrong Ray Shero drafted some pretty darn good defenders (Maatta included). The time has come to cash in on those investments. Simon Despres needs to fill in for Maatta in the top four, he is good enough and has earned it through his play so far this year.
Ehrhoff Letang Despres-Martin Pouliot-Harrington/Scuderi Harrington/Scuderi
I have Scuderi and Harrington switching back between the 6th and 7th defensemen because I know the Penguins aren’t going to bail on Scuderi even though it has been Despres who has been propping him up this year
I would also have Bortuzzo ahead of Scuderi but once again, Scuderi is at worst going to be the #7 guy and more likely than not the #6.
I would personally rather sink or swim in the playoffs with a sheltered bottom pairing which has young players who also have high skill. Unskilled veteran players are going to make mistakes just like the young guys will. Give me the players who can make more quality plays and perhaps make up for a defensive breakdown here or there with the ability to create offensively.
To get the young guys best prepared for the playoffs you would have to start playing them regularly now.
I have my reservations that the Penguins will go this route.
The defense corp. that hits the ice tonight is likely the one that will hit the ice in the playoffs.
Is it good enough?
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