Ryan Wilson: Olli Maatta Makes The Pittsburgh Penguins Will Stay Past 9 Game Tryout Olli Maatta plays his way on to the Penguins full time

The kid can thank Luongo's awful rebound control for his first nhl goal.

He's been better than Engo, Bortuzzo and probably on par with Martin and Orpik at this point. Niskanen has been really good so far though.

So if they end up running with:
Letang-Martin
Maatta-Orpik
Niskanen-Engo/Bortz/Despres

I wouldn't have a problem. And you can flip Maatta and Nisk depending on how they are playing.

He's been better than Engo, Bortuzzo and probably on par with Martin and Orpik at this point. Niskanen has been really good so far though.

So if they end up running with:
Letang-Martin
Maatta-Orpik
Niskanen-Engo/Bortz/Despres

I wouldn't have a problem. And you can flip Maatta and Nisk depending on how they are playing.
- Ben37

Bet he wouldn't crack the flyers defense corps. Doesn't meet the criteria: Aging and slow.

I love that this was a hockey decision and not a $ decision.

I wonder how a Niskanen/Maatta pairing will work. Each of them have been great playing with a solid defensive d-man. Now they won't have that safety net.

I'd rather keep Niskanen if the cap is gonna work, but if they are looking to move him, now (when Letang is back) is the time. His value won't get much higher.

He's been better than Engo, Bortuzzo and probably on par with Martin and Orpik at this point. Niskanen has been really good so far though.

So if they end up running with:
Letang-Martin
Maatta-Orpik
Niskanen-Engo/Bortz/Despres

I wouldn't have a problem. And you can flip Maatta and Nisk depending on how they are playing.
- Ben37

You're missing Scuderi, and Scuderi and Letang are playing together for sure.

Letang/Scuderi
Orpik/Martin
Niskanen/Maata
Bortuzzo

And before anyone gets worried about defensive ability in that last pairing, remember that Crosby's line is often out there 5 on 5 with the bottom pairing (as I think Ryan pointed out in regards to Maata previously).

Maata's overall game reminds me of Lidstrom.

You guys see Seth Jones' game winner last night? What poise and skill. He's 19 and playing like 25 minutes a night and a lot of special teams. Unbelievable... I have to watch some Nashville games.

I saw that Derrick Pouliot had a couple of assists and was a +7 last night. +/- is sometimes a misleading stat, but if you are a +7, it's safe to say that you're having a good night.

You're missing Scuderi, and Scuderi and Letang are playing together for sure.

Letang/Scuderi
Orpik/Martin
Niskanen/Maata
Bortuzzo

And before anyone gets worried about defensive ability in that last pairing, remember that Crosby's line is often out there 5 on 5 with the bottom pairing (as I think Ryan pointed out in regards to Maata previously).

Maata's overall game reminds me of Lidstrom.
- hardnosed

I've thought that too, but have been scared to say that comparison out loud lol.

If I'm Maatta, I'm watching Paul Martin every chance I can get. Maatta is bigger and will end up being a little more physical, but Martin's style in both ends is a great start for him as a young player.

Niskanen's really puts the Penguins management in a bind. Part of me wants them to trade him and part of me wants them to keep him.

Pros to trading him: his stock will never be higher. He has played exceptionally well so far this season and other teams would be willing to pay a premium for a puck-moving defensemen. This would allow the Pens to solidify their bottom 6 forwards and likely get a mid-range draft pick as well. Trading him will also allow Bortuzzo and Maatta to play an entire year together (assuming no injuries) and set them up to replace Martin/Orpik in the near future. The Pens would not have to worry about signing him after this year or losing him for nothing.

Pros to not trading him: Assuming he keeps playing at this level, he makes their D better than they would be without him. He is solid insurance if Letang gets injured again and has proven he can play well with Scuds. He can play QB on the PP if needed.

I feel like if they do not trade him, they have to re-sign him in the offseason. This means they will likely have to part ways with Orpik or Martin. While Niskanen has been solid, I think those two guys would be helpful developing the Pens young D prospects. It is a tough decision, but a good tough decision for the Pens to have.

I know Nisky has been solid, I am just not 100% sold on him yet. I still think if you get a really good offer for him, you take it. You can get a high pick or a nice winger prospect, I think you have to take it.

no worries, laughton will shut maatta down next yr..oh, wait...

You guys see Seth Jones' game winner last night? What poise and skill. He's 19 and playing like 25 minutes a night and a lot of special teams. Unbelievable... I have to watch some Nashville games.

I saw that Derrick Pouliot had a couple of assists and was a +7 last night. +/- is sometimes a misleading stat, but if you are a +7, it's safe to say that you're having a good night.
- rival22

Did you see what fox sports said about it?

Did you see what fox sports said about it?
- dshiddy

Link please, I'm sure it's hilarious

I've thought that too, but have been scared to say that comparison out loud lol.

If I'm Maatta, I'm watching Paul Martin every chance I can get. Maatta is bigger and will end up being a little more physical, but Martin's style in both ends is a great start for him as a young player.
- rival22

It's not a prediction of what Maata will become, it's just the kind of game he has, B+ at literally everything, especially upstairs.

And you're right about Martin. In fact, Martin has chipped in a rebound or two off of a center drive in his Penguins' career, it's the kind of aggressive but disciplined move you like to see your defensemen make. And honestly, it's why Letang can be frustrating and it's why Despres is in WBS.

It's not a prediction of what Maata will become, it's just the kind of game he has, B+ at literally everything, especially upstairs.

And you're right about Martin. In fact, Martin has chipped in a rebound or two off of a center drive in his Penguins' career, it's the kind of aggressive but disciplined move you like to see your defensemen make. And honestly, it's why Letang can be frustrating and it's why Despres is in WBS.
- hardnosed

that's why I wanted to see Maata stay. he could learn so much by watching guys like martin, oprik, and scuderi.

if there's one thing he should take away from them, it's consistency. there's something to be said for defensemen who can play at the same high level every night.

the kid has looked unbelievable. amazing how much one concussion can hurt a draft stock. had he not gotten hurt, he would have been a top 10 pick.

Dredger reports: @DarrenDreger: Not sure last tweet went through. Biron expected to announce retirement shortly.

That's disappointing. Thought he'd be a possible option if Zatkoff doesn't improve. But good luck to him.

You guys see Seth Jones' game winner last night? What poise and skill. He's 19 and playing like 25 minutes a night and a lot of special teams. Unbelievable... I have to watch some Nashville games.

I saw that Derrick Pouliot had a couple of assists and was a +7 last night. +/- is sometimes a misleading stat, but if you are a +7, it's safe to say that you're having a good night.
- rival22

Should have been the first pick best player in that class

Good for Maatta... I think it's amazing what he's doing especially with a coach that hates playing young guys. I mean Bennett was very good last year and played off and on. It's nice to see because I would rather see young talent over older grit any night of the week. Maybe Bylsma will change his approach with this because with the cap these are things this team has to start doing.

Can someone explain to me how Maatta dropped to us in the draft

Can someone explain to me how Maatta dropped to us in the draft
- Genev21

had a concussion during the World Juniors, missed some time in London.

Whats the outlook for Despres This year, next year and beyond?

You have to think Pouliot/Harrington are in the pens 2-3 year plans

Letang, Maatta, Scuderi are locked in

Niskanen is a UFA, so if the Pens DON'T trade him, they'd be foolish to let him walk for free when they can get an asset now if he's not in their future plans

Is there a young replacement for Orpik next year IF he doesn't resign? - If there is, you have to think it would be Harrington, Not Despres.... What if Orpik does resign?

Pouliot likely replaces Martin in 2 years

Bortuzzo is the #7 guy for life

Has Depres outlook gone from top 4 THIS year, to MAYBE a Top 6 role 2 years from now?

Whats the market like for him?

Dredger reports: @DarrenDreger: Not sure last tweet went through. Biron expected to announce retirement shortly.

That's disappointing. Thought he'd be a possible option if Zatkoff doesn't improve. But good luck to him.
- HopintheCordoba

He still could be an option. I would rather have him than Zatkoff.

Whats the outlook for Despres This year, next year and beyond?

You have to think Pouliot/Harrington are in the pens 2-3 year plans

Letang, Maatta, Scuderi are locked in

Niskanen is a UFA, so if the Pens DON'T trade him, they'd be foolish to let him walk for free when they can get an asset now if he's not in their future plans

Is there a young replacement for Orpik next year IF he doesn't resign? - If there is, you have to think it would be Harrington, Not Despres.... What if Orpik does resign?

Pouliot likely replaces Martin in 2 years

Bortuzzo is the #7 guy for life

Has Depres outlook gone from top 4 THIS year, to MAYBE a Top 6 role 2 years from now?

Whats the market like for him?
- TheGame316

Don't undersell Bortuzzo. There is always going to be room for a big, physical defenseman on any NHL top 6 roster. I see Shero trading one of the D at some point for a physical 3rd line type with some size grit and scoring (not a rental). That's the only thing this squad appears to really lack.

I am very happy to see Maatta stay. When Letang returns I suspect the D pairings to look. Orpik-martin, scuds-Letang, Maatta-Niskanan. The only worry is how well a defense with that little grit would hold up in a physical series, or agaisnt the Milan Lucic's of the nhl.

When 58 comes back, where does 5 go? Traded? Waivers? Do they send 41 back down?