Detroit Red Wings Trade Defenseman Olli Maatta to the Utah Hockey Club
The Utah Hockey Club have finalized a necessary late night trade, acquiring defenseman Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2025 third round draft pick, originally held by the New York Rangers.
Utah has for the past few days been in constant speculation over a potential deal for a defenseman after two injuries early in the season to Sean Durzi and John Marino, both players out of action for the next few months, likely to be out until next year with Durzi expected to miss 4-6 months recovering from shoulder surgery, and a 3-4 month timeline for Marino who had surgery for his lower back.
One name that had been previously floated in trade discussions is Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Timothy Liljegren, the 25-year-old rightie having been a healthy scratch consistently this season for Toronto. The former first round pick has played in just one game this season for the Leafs, but had 23 points in 55 games last season for the team, as well as an assist in 6 playoff appearances vs Boston.
Despite the acquisition of Maatta, it still leaves the question over filling the hole of Marino & Durzi, both right handed defenders, with Maatta a leftie. Utah has already covered up RHD prospect Maveric Lamoureux to replace the defensive hole, and now adds a veteran Maatta as a further blueline make-up.
Maatta, 30, has been pointless in 7 games this season for the Detroit Red Wings. Maatta had 4 goals and 18 points in 72 games for Detroit in 2023-24. Maatta is in the final year of his contract, making $3M for this season.
In Detroit's end, the move clears cap space for the team on defense, freeing up any potential move. Detroit earlier in the day recalled defenseman Justin Holl from AHL Grand Rapids.
The Detroit Red Wings sit 5th in the Atlantic Division with a 4-4-1 record, all three teams below have the same amount of points (9), with Detroit having the advantage of an extra game in hand. The Utah Hockey Club is 6th in the Western Division, currently holding a 4-4-2 record.
