There was a time where I would have been thrilled at that price for 6 years, but with his play lately this seems risky.
- PensFan1103

I was mostly shocked cause it came out of left field. I think given that he is a top pair defenseman at age 21, the deal is more than fair. Not to go full Ryan Wilson here, but I'd rather pay and gamble on Maatta's future, than pay a similar price for Scuderi's past.

Just out of curiosity...I wonder if theres a NTC in this deal?

Wow... I like Maatta... but I think thats a tad bit high.
- Guile

Would you rather have Despres with almost the same cap hit? I do believe that Maatta was limited in workouts. He does look smaller than he was before the shoulder etc. I think he'll be a bargain in a year or two.

If Dumo keeps performing like he has, he will probably get around this much as well next year....

rutherford gonna join the fan show at 10:40 if people wanna listen.

For what it's worth Dk and Yohe were on madden yesterday saying that maatta was very very limited in working out the last yr due to injuries and that given a full offseason of training with no injuries will greatly help him. That is why he has looked so bad they say.
- nh4442

I fully believe that. It was unlikely that he was going to build on his rookie season after missing last year.

This is a great deal for the Penguins. We would have applauded a two year, 3.5 per bridge deal. For half a mil more a year they get him for six years.

I fully believe that. It was unlikely that he was going to build on his rookie season after missing last year.

This is a great deal for the Penguins. We would have applauded a two year, 3.5 per bridge deal. For half a mil more a year they get him for six years.
- hardnosed

Not to mention he is only 21. That's locking him up throughout his "prime". I have no problem with this deal. Lots of room to get back to where he was, and also to grow.

also since the cap keep rising almost every year contracts in this day and age always gets higher and higher so I think it is a good contract for 6 years

This deal seems a little high, but will be a bargin in 3 years if he continues to get better.

Well theres my question answered

Pierre LeBrun ‏@Real_ESPNLeBrun 1m1 minute ago
Maatta extension includes Limited NTC the last two years. He picks 8 teams he can't be traded to.

At the end of the deal you'd think he'd get a big contract being a 27yr old top defenseman the same time a 34-35yr old letang deal ends

At the very least, Maatta can be a good partner for Letang. That's got value.

I was mostly shocked cause it came out of left field. I think given that he is a top pair defenseman at age 21, the deal is more than fair. Not to go full Ryan Wilson here, but I'd rather pay and gamble on Maatta's future, than pay a similar price for Scuderi's past.

Just out of curiosity...I wonder if theres a NTC in this deal?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

If he does have a NTC it won't kick in until the last couple years of the deal when he would have been eligible for free agency

Would you rather have Despres with almost the same cap hit? I do believe that Maatta was limited in workouts. He does look smaller than he was before the shoulder etc. I think he'll be a bargain in a year or two.

If Dumo keeps performing like he has, he will probably get around this much as well next year....
- Pens_Burgh

No, I'd much rather have Maatta.... guess I'd have felt more comfortable waiting a bit before the offer, just to be certain he'll be back to his superstar self?

I'm shocked with the reaction. That is a steal. He's going to get stronger and stronger. Is that less then what Schultz makes?

If he does have a NTC it won't kick in until the last couple years of the deal when he would have been eligible for free agency

- willi

So in other words... if he turns bad in the first 4 years... we can cut ties a bit easier.


Well, seems like JR covered all ends on this too.

For what it's worth Dk and Yohe were on madden yesterday saying that maatta was very very limited in working out the last yr due to injuries and that given a full offseason of training with no injuries will greatly help him. That is why he has looked so bad they say.
- nh4442

I don't think that is why he is a slow skater. I am far from an expert but I cannot see how you can improve your speed all that much with work outs. I can see how you can improve it a little bit but he is not going to be a fast skater, ever. Ron Francis was not a fast skater but he is a HOF candidate. Granted the game was a lot slower then but if Maatta can play good position and anticipate the play he can also be a very good player. He is not in the same category as Ron Francis but he can still be a solid NHL player.

I think they paid too much and for too long but 4$M per is the going rate for a top two defenseman. He is getting paid for potential and not for past performances.

No, I'd much rather have Maatta.... guess I'd have felt more comfortable waiting a bit before the offer, just to be certain he'll be back to his superstar self?
- Guile

I think they did good. I mean we were all thinking 3 mil for 2 years on a bridge deal. I like the gamble of the extra million a year, but also an extra 4 years. I don't think (and obviously neither do they) that Maatta will have any problem getting back to normal.

Its a good deal for Maata. I'm guessing it also buys out some UFA years. Reminds me of the Roman Josi deal. Longer term Maata's injury may have given us a much better long-term price.

I was mostly shocked cause it came out of left field. I think given that he is a top pair defenseman at age 21, the deal is more than fair. Not to go full Ryan Wilson here, but I'd rather pay and gamble on Maatta's future, than pay a similar price for Scuderi's past.

Just out of curiosity...I wonder if theres a NTC in this deal?
- YouMeAndDupuis9

Yeah, I am definitely still optimistic on Maatta. What he showed in his rookie season was quite a lot and I believe he will get back to that and then some as he becomes more confident and comfortable in the league. I guess it is mostly just the timing because he has looked his worst in recent weeks.

Worst case scenario, Grim Rutherford summed it up pretty nicely. Maatta only costs $1.183 million more than Deryk Engelland.

I'm shocked with the reaction. That is a steal. He's going to get stronger and stronger. Is that less then what Schultz makes?
- dbell646

People always got to b!tch about something

I don't think that is why he is a slow skater. I am far from an expert but I cannot see how you can improve your speed all that much with work outs. I can see how you can improve it a little bit but he is not going to be a fast skater, ever. Ron Francis was not a fast skater but he is a HOF candidate. Granted the game was a lot slower then but if Maatta can play good position and anticipate the play he can also be a very good player. He is not in the same category as Ron Francis but he can still be a solid NHL player.

I think they paid too much and for too long but 4$M per is the going rate for a top two defenseman. He is getting paid for potential and not for past performances.
- Thunderbolt

phil esposito was kinda slow too

I honestly hope the pens don't trade any of their 2nd round picks. Team needs to restock the cupboard with dmen.

People always got to b!tch about something
- cap1681

Everyone on here was on board with a 3 mil 2-3 year bridge deal. I said that I would rather give him more $$ for more years. I anticipated 4.75-5.5 for 6 years so I am more than fine with this. Great deal.

Everyone on here was on board with a 3 mil 2-3 year bridge deal. I said that I would rather give him more $$ for more years. I anticipated 4.75-5.5 for 6 years so I am more than fine with this. Great deal.
- Pens_Burgh

montreal bride deald pk subban and we know how that worked out

Do people really think that Maatta is having a bad year? All i hear about is him being slow and worried he's not in great shape.

He's probably our best "defensive" defenseman who is also not a liability with the puck on his stick. Kid is having a great year, and has solidified himself as our #2 d-man.

The Penguins near future at D is bright. A top 4 of Letang, Maatta, Dumoulin, and Pouliot is a pretty damn good top 4.

People always got to b!tch about something
- cap1681

It's fair deal for both sides. No idea where you get anyone is female doging about it.