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

    Pabio Posted on

    Press staff and press services
    | Detroit News

    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, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Finn collected 177 points (40 goals, 137 assists) in 691 regular season games with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Penguins. , Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings and Red Wings.

    The two-time Stanley Cup champion also had 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.

    The move fills a major need after Sean Durzi and John Marino were sidelined long-term due to injuries.

    Utah was formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes before being sold to a new owner and moved to Salt Lake City.

    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.

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