Olli Määttä
- Thread starter tjziel
- Start date
Well, he is that now. I'm talking about how he projects when I made the Numminen comparison. That's who he reminds me of.
Maybe, maybe not. It's not as if he's not on pace for around 30 as a rookie. Is his hitting 50 sometime in his prime such a stretch?
Sidney the Kidney
One last time
- Jun 29, 2009
- 56,765
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50 points is entering elite offensive numbers. I'm not sure Maatta's got that kind of elite offensive upside. Usually there's a bit of a dynamic side to the player when they're putting up those kinds of numbers.
I suppose it's an arbitrary number. He could hit 45 points and the point becomes an argument over semantics. Or he could have a career year where he's force fed top PP minutes on the Pens (though I don't see it as long as Letang and Pouliot are in the system). But generally, I think Maatta's the kind of player who'll score around 30 points per season, with some seasons approaching 40.
Riiseli
Unregistered User
- Dec 21, 2009
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Since the beginning of December Maatta has produced at a 47 point pace. Add the last game from November and it's 12 in 20 games, which would put him at 49,2 points over 82 games. And this is with no points on the PP.
Small sample size. Unless he forces his way onto the top PP unit he's going to struggle to put up 50 points.
Riiseli
Unregistered User
- Dec 21, 2009
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Of course it is. Can't have anything, but small samples at this point. I was just trying to illustrate that he may well have a chance of coming close to 50 points a season later on in his career. And definitely could get there were he to get first unit PP time and bit more ice time in general.
Based on what I saw in London, he has another couple of gears of offensive potential. He's just been playing (and also utilized) in a more defence-first way, while he's feeling out the NHL as a rookie.
He does, and I believe he replaces Joe Morrow as the "triggerman" on the point, at least some of the time. Maatta's shot may not be quite as powerful as the all-mighty Morrow, but it's still damn good and he's got a good tendency to hit the net. And he's still only going to get stronger and more powerful as he continues to mature and condition himself physically. I'm sure he's going to get his share of opportunities in the future.
After the Olympics Olli Maatta's confidence might be on a new level. One of the top defensive defenseman in the Olympics but on top of that, he had 5 points in 6 games making him top 4 offensive D-men right behind Doughty, Karlsson and Weber. What are your expectations for him this season? Do you have concerns about will he be able to handle the playoffs at such a young age? What are your expectations for the next five years as he will be closing on his prime at age 24.
EDIT: I hope all of you have noticed how young Maatta is. He is only 6 weeks older than 2013 4th OA pick Seth Jones and doing just as well if not better than Jones.
EDIT: I hope all of you have noticed how young Maatta is. He is only 6 weeks older than 2013 4th OA pick Seth Jones and doing just as well if not better than Jones.
Gallatin
A Banksy of Goonism
I expect Maatta to be up & down in the playoffs, as he has been for much of the season. I am one of those people who don't see a ceiling yet for Ollie. He will be at least a good #2 defenseman, but if his offense and skating keep improving, sky's the limit IMO.
And on the age thing - generally 24 is considered "prime" for goal scorers. With defenseman it's more like 28 or 29 as their game is more predicated on perfecting technique and decision making which usually takes a lot longer to develop.
i haven't watched the pens play yet this season. i did get to watch the olympics a little bit. Maatta looks like a kid who hasn't completely filled out yet to me. i thought he had a good active stick and a good instinct away from the play. i am reminded of some other prospects we've seen who seemed to be on a higher level athletically. for some reason naslund comes to mind. Might be a weird comparison to make.
MrBurghundy
I may be older but I'm never forgetting #47 & #41
Gallatin
A Banksy of Goonism
The thing I like about Ollie's shot is that when he is taking that big windup - he's evaluating the defensive player at the same time, and is judging angles past legs and stick to get the shot through instead of blocked.
A lot of players can't do that - aiming the shot more based on where the defensive player is to get it through, and still hit the next. Valuable skill IMO.
DoobeeDoobeeDoo
The Doobster
- Jul 3, 2013
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DoobeeDoobeeDoo
The Doobster
- Jul 3, 2013
- 1,509
- 9
Going into the Olympics I was always impressed with Olli Maatta, but there was a shadow of a doubt that maybe his success was attributed to playing in the Pens system. Well watching him play outside the Pens system certainly erased all doubts, this kid is for real, so glad to have him on the Pens.
DoobeeDoobeeDoo
The Doobster
- Jul 3, 2013
- 1,509
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Yeah, we really do treat the prospects like dirt (e.g., Despres). Maatta has succeeded in spite of the system.
Ogrezilla
Nerf Herder
Maatta is incredibly good at making quick decisions. That is a huge plus in our "get the puck out in 8 seconds" transition system.
DoobeeDoobeeDoo
The Doobster
- Jul 3, 2013
- 1,509
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I really liked how he was running that power play for team Finland. Looked like and aged vet out there. 
cygnus47
Registered User
- Sep 14, 2013
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The thing I like about Maatta the most is that he never gives up on his mark. When he gets beaten he just jams his stick in there and takes back the puck. I can't wait until he fills out a little. He doesn't seem to have the strength to pin guys when he needs to yet, when he gets that I'll be a very excited man.
What also hasn't been discussed by Maatta is how few penalties he has (and will in the future) take, despite playing huge minutes. As a rookie, he hasn't got the benefit of the doubt on a few loose calls, but I wouldn't be shocked if one year Maatta puts up a lot of points and might actually be in the Lady Byng conversation.
Because he's not overly gritty/chippy, and because he's so good positionally, he doesn't need to check and take penalties very often. I think his rate of ice time to penalties is just going to continue to improve as he matures.
Because he's not overly gritty/chippy, and because he's so good positionally, he doesn't need to check and take penalties very often. I think his rate of ice time to penalties is just going to continue to improve as he matures.
