All kidding aside, what a tough kid. All the respect in the world for him.


F Cancer

My wife had this surgery.... Its not a big deal

Recovery time is pretty much waiting for the internal stitches to heal and the swelling to go down

She didn't even have to go on meds, assuming he's only having 1 side of the thyroid removed, the other side can often pick up the slack

I'm not surprised at all he's going to play up until the surgery date

Shocking news. But if indeed has been playing knowing whats been going on... wow

What if this thyroid tumor has had some sort of Benjamin Button effect and that instead of being 20, Maatta is actually a 43 year old guy named Günther who played 20 years of Finnish pro hockey?

It would explain his insane level of maturity though....

Actually, Josh just tweeted that he knows about this for 3 weeks already. What a beast. I just want the penguins to sign him for life after he comes back.

What if this thyroid tumor has had some sort of Benjamin Button effect and that instead of being 20, Maatta is actually a 43 year old guy named Günther who played 20 years of Finnish pro hockey?

It would explain his insane level of maturity though....
- rival22

haha, I'm not sure why but this literally made me laugh out loud.

Edit: Maata's new helmet:

They should put Harrington into top 4 duty. Might as well let him cut his teeth with the big club if he is expected to be a top 4 guy in the coming years, especially during a meaningless part of the season.
- cap1681

Agree. I also think this explains the great mystery of why they kept bringing him up and not playing....in case Maatta couldn't go.

Give Harrington a real NHL shot. Throw him into the fire of top 4 and see what happens.

F cancer

you know... maatta does have a kinda moony face. someimes indicates thyroid problems. maybe thats how they figured it out? I'm gonna wear my Maatta jersey all week.

you know... maatta does have a kinda moony face. someimes indicates thyroid problems. maybe thats how they figured it out? I'm gonna wear my Maatta jersey all week.
- ChrisMS

Really? lol it's almost like you're being sarcastic.

Agree. I also think this explains the great mystery of why they kept bringing him up and not playing....in case Maatta couldn't go.

Give Harrington a real NHL shot. Throw him into the fire of top 4 and see what happens.

F cancer
- YouMeAndDupuis9

It all makes sense now... hopefully this is why!

The curse of the pens d-men... What's next? Erhoff has Lou Gehrig's? Martin has aids? Scuds gets a broken leg when despes throws him off? Joking aside... Get well soon maatta.
- ChrisMS

"Joking aside" aside, the post was written in poor taste

Thoughts and prayers for Maatta. Here's to a full and healthy recovery.

Really? lol it's almost like you're being sarcastic.
- Barnaby36

Totes serious bro! Moon face is actually a sihn\ symptom of thyroid problems

"Joking aside" aside, the post was written in poor taste
- Bradlee3

Which part?

Which part?
- ChrisMS

So... in the last 5 years, are we #1 in the most missed games due to injuries in the NHL?

I know two years ago we were #1 by a landslide, forget where I checked since its not exactly a proper stat "man games missed". Anyone know of that or where that would be a bit easily checked?
Reason being, I want to shut up a friend who thinks the Penguins are one of the healthier teams in the NHL last 5 years, and "we" are just acting like victims.

So... in the last 5 years, are we #1 in the most missed games due to injuries in the NHL?

I know two years ago we were #1 by a landslide, forget where I checked since its not exactly a proper stat "man games missed". Anyone know of that or where that would be a bit easily checked?
Reason being, I want to shut up a friend who thinks the Penguins are one of the healthier teams in the NHL last 5 years, and "we" are just acting like victims.
- Guile

Some friend.

- whipper334

I tend to be sensitized to health issues like that. I use negative humor to make myself feel better. no offense intended. dont ever take me to a funeral... then I really lose it and piss people off.... "that your mum? tell me who the mortician was, she looks to die for!" that kind of stuff. so... sorry I suppose.

You want to know how to not look at Martin and Ehrhoff's possession stats and be worried? Don't look at them at all. Playing against hard competition and getting D zone starts is a compliment to a hockey player, especially a D man. You guys know that no NHL player sits down after a game and gives a single thought to how many and which zone starts they got that night right?

You want to know how to not look at Martin and Ehrhoff's possession stats and be worried? Don't look at them at all. Playing against hard competition and getting D zone starts is a compliment to a hockey player, especially a D man. You guys know that no NHL player sits down after a game and gives a single thought to how many and which zone starts they got that night right?
- Grinder47

actually... while I'm not gonna look at those stats (rather let others do it for me) I think an NHL player does exactly that. I certainly remember even in deck hockey as a kid always wanting to be out there for offensive zone faceoffs and being less thrilled otherwise. shame on them for 6 weeks if they dont consider those things

You want to know how to not look at Martin and Ehrhoff's possession stats and be worried? Don't look at them at all. Playing against hard competition and getting D zone starts is a compliment to a hockey player, especially a D man. You guys know that no NHL player sits down after a game and gives a single thought to how many and which zone starts they got that night right?
- Grinder47

Never thought of it that way...ever. If the faceoff was on the moon I only cared about winning that draw. I'd think the majority of players do just that. The advanced stats are nice for us fans and writers but the only thing running through a pros mind is win everything.

You want to know how to not look at Martin and Ehrhoff's possession stats and be worried? Don't look at them at all. Playing against hard competition and getting D zone starts is a compliment to a hockey player, especially a D man. You guys know that no NHL player sits down after a game and gives a single thought to how many and which zone starts they got that night right?
- Grinder47

They will never say it in public, but I promise you...they know if they start out almost every time in their own zone. As a former player (not hockey) I can tell you every time I was subbed into a game, if I left the game with a lead, if I was put back in when we were down. I knew all the situations I was put in, I also often asked why so I understood. I bet if you asked Crosby what his FO % in the defensive zone was, he would be able to tell you.

Hope for a speedy recovery. He's a player I thoroughly enjoy watching. Get well Ollie!

On another note, does that mean Pulliot or Doumolin are getting called up? Harrington maybe? I'll admit I am not that familiar with your minor leaguers.

Hope for a speedy recovery. He's a player I thoroughly enjoy watching. Get well Ollie!

On another note, does that mean Pulliot or Doumolin are getting called up? Harrington maybe? I'll admit I am not that familiar with your minor leaguers.
- Pelle31Forever

More likely, since Olli is playing the next two games, is that Bortuzzo comes up to fill the void since he is to return this Thursday.

Martin or Ehrhoff with Letang, I'd put Bortuzzo into the 2nd pairing personally, and keep Scuds and Despres in the bottom pair.

More likely, since Olli is playing the next two games, is that Bortuzzo comes up to fill the void since he is to return this Thursday.

Martin or Ehrhoff with Letang, I'd put Bortuzzo into the 2nd pairing personally, and keep Scuds and Despres in the bottom pair.
- Guile

Hope Johnston doesn't put Scuderi back with Letang..it would be a normal move since Despres/Bortuzzo know each other well.