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Wings trade defenseman Olli Maata to Utah for 3rd round pick

Pabio October 30, 2024

The Detroit Red Wings traded veteran defenseman Olli Maata to the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday night for a 2025 third-round draft pick.

Maata, 30, has not scored a single goal with an even plus-minus rating in seven games this season. He collected 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and a plus-14 differential in 72 games in 2023-2024.

The trade leaves the Red Wings with seven NHL defensemen and a chance for veteran Justin Holl and rookie Albert Johansson to play more regularly.

Maatta, who averaged 15:52 of ice time this year, was in the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract he signed with the Red Wings on February 16, 2023.

Selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Maatta has 177 points (40 goals, 137 assists) in 691 regular season games with the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Kings Los Angeles and the Red Wings. .

The two-time Stanley Cup champion also has 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 85 playoff games, including championship seasons in Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017.

Utah (4-4-2) has lost six of its last seven games after a 3-0-0 start and has allowed at least four goals in six of its 10 games this season.

Detroit (4-4-1) is 3-1-1 in its last five games heading into Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets at Little Caesars Arena (7:30 p.m., FDSN/97.1).

Jets at Red Wings

Faceoff: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Little Caesars Arena

Television/radio: FDSN/97.1

Outlook: The Wings welcome Winnipeg, championship leader (8-1-0), who lost for the first time Monday against Toronto (6-4). … The Jets have been incredible on the power play, ranking first (44.4%), while the Wings are 31st on the penalty kill at 66.7%. …L.W. Kyle Connor (Shelby Township) rolls with eight goals and 14 points and G Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce Township) is 6-1-0 with a .925 SVS.