Detroit Red Wings and Utah Hockey Club complete late night trade involving two-time Stanley Cup Champion
It was announced late last night that the Utah Hockey Club has acquired defenseman Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a third round pick.
The Utah Hockey Club started their inaugural season off to a hot start, but have unfortunately trailed off. Long-term injuries to two defensive pillars, young star Sean Durzi, and draft-day trade acquisition from the New Jersey Devils John Marino, have set the team back, and it was no secret the team was eyeing an acquisition via the trade market.
They have now made the move everybody was expecting, acquiring defenseman Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a third round pick in 2025 (acquired by retaining salary on the Patrick Kane trade between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers).
Maatta, originally drafted in the first round of the 2012 NHL entry draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins, has played a whopping 691 games in the NHL, as well as 85 playoff games (and two Stanley Cup wins with the Penguins).
We will see if this deal is enough for the Utah Hockey Club to get out of their current slump, as they lost a 4-1 lead to the San Jose Sharks, and have had difficulty scoring. Maatta won't help much on the scoring front, but he should add stability to the young blueline.
With the Detroit Red Wings being overloaded with defensemen, including Justin Holl and Ben Chiarot's anchor deals on the left, they were forced to trade Jake Walman this past summer. They have now cleared additional cap room, allowing for a possible move from GM Steve Yzerman. The team is still on the outside looking in to the playoff picture, and something will need to give at some point.
Who do you think won this trade for Olli Maatta between the Detroit Red Wings and Utah Hockey Club?
