Utah Hockey Club Acquires Defenseman Olli Maatta from Detroit Red Wings

The Utah Hockey Club has made a significant move in the NHL by acquiring defenseman Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings. The trade, which was finalized on Tuesday, involves the Utah Hockey Club sending a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft to the Red Wings in exchange for Maatta.

Olli Maatta, 30, is a veteran defenseman with a substantial career in the NHL. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round (No. 22) of the 2012 NHL Draft and has since played for the Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks, Los Angeles Kings, and Red Wings. Maatta has accumulated 177 points (40 goals, 137 assists) in 691 regular-season games and 27 points (five goals, 22 assists) in 85 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

In the current season, Maatta has not recorded a point in his seven games with the Red Wings. However, he had a notable performance in the 2023-24 season with 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) and a plus-14 rating in 72 games. Maatta is in the final season of a two-year, $6 million contract he signed with the Red Wings on February 16, 2023.

The Utah Hockey Club, which has struggled recently with six losses in its last seven games, hopes to bolster its defense with Maatta’s addition. The team has allowed at least four goals in six of its 10 games this season. Meanwhile, the Detroit Red Wings, who are 3-1-1 in their last five games, continue to shape their roster for the ongoing season.