We needed a Finn, and he comes complete with the 1980's haircut.
And that weird adult-baby look that all Finns seem to have.
I didn't realize that Maatta was on last year's U20 team too. And he has 2 more years of elligibility. There probably aren't many Finns that can say they've played in the WJCs 4 times.
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“The most terrifying fact about the universe is not that it is hostile, but that it is indifferent. If we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death, our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light.” - Stanley Kubrick
How much untapped offensive potential is within reason to hope for? i mmean he DID score most points of any defensemen in the playoffs after all (same points, 1 more goal than Hamilton). Too small sample and flash in the pan? Or can he carry it over to next season?
Just realized we have Maata who had most points of the defensemen in the playoffs in the OHL. And also the two highest scoring defensemen in the WHL plaoiffs (Morrow, Pouliiot). sweet
And that weird adult-baby look that all Finns seem to have.
I didn't realize that Maatta was on last year's U20 team too. And he has 2 more years of elligibility. There probably aren't many Finns that can say they've played in the WJCs 4 times.
I think Andrei Kostitsyn holds the record for 5 appearances, not sure what the Finnish record is.
How much untapped offensive potential is within reason to hope for? i mmean he DID score most points of any defensemen in the playoffs after all (same points, 1 more goal than Hamilton). Too small sample and flash in the pan? Or can he carry it over to next season?
Just realized we have Maata who had most points of the defensemen in the playoffs in the OHL. And also the two highest scoring defensemen in the WHL plaoiffs (Morrow, Pouliiot). sweet
I think a fair comparison offensively could be a guy like Kevin Bieksa: not a "pure" offensive Dman, but still capable of playing on the PP and putting up some offensive numbers on the PP and even-strength.
I know I've used the Bieksa comparison before with Despres, but that's intentional. I actually think there's a lot of similarity between these two players and, beause they're so similar and with Dumoulin now on board, one of these guys could very likely make the other one expendible in a trade.
How much untapped offensive potential is within reason to hope for? i mmean he DID score most points of any defensemen in the playoffs after all (same points, 1 more goal than Hamilton). Too small sample and flash in the pan? Or can he carry it over to next season?
Just realized we have Maata who had most points of the defensemen in the playoffs in the OHL. And also the two highest scoring defensemen in the WHL plaoiffs (Morrow, Pouliiot). sweet
I think Maatta has this defense first thinking that limits his offensive potential. That's to say you will have to look at +/- -stats more closely than the point totals in his case. I think there is a possibility that Maatta will have good offensive numbers next year in the juniors, but in the NHL he most propably won't be able to get over 50 point seasons even in his prime. Maatta is a defense first two-way defenseman.
Went back and watched Maatta again last night in the London-Edm game. jmelms right about his give aways but I like that he's trying stuff like that and I think a cleaner pro game corrects a lot of his flaws.
I originally went with a Kenny Jonsson comparison because I was trying to think of a skilled defensive defenseman but Jonssons poise was elite. Right now I'm going with Roman Hamrlik. Not the TB Hamrlik with the glitzy stats but more of the well rounded player he turned into afterwards. One of those good at everything, great at nothing type of players... thats not a knock at all.
Really liked what I saw from Olli during the playoffs and the Memorial Cup, this is a solid addition, can't believe he feel to 22. Love it, our defense is shaping up to be dam great in the future
Not for while, I think he has to do two more years in London before he's even eligible for the AHL.
August 94 birthday, so he's still 17. He's got two more years of junior eligibility to fulfill before he can even sign in the AHL. I'm not really worried about his ETA given the complete glut of defensive prospects we have. Määttä probably won't make it to the NHL until he's good and ready because of that.
