Olli Maatta throws shade at former team after contract extension

By now, you've heard the news that the Detroit Red Wings made the decision to extend veteran defenseman Olli Maatta, whom they brought aboard as a free agent this past summer on a one year contract. He'll be sticking around for the next two years, agreeing to an extension that will see him get paid $3 million per season. 

The two-time Stanley Cup winning blue liner has brought an invaluable veteran presence to Detroit's young roster, and he was certainly happy to feel appreciated and trusted. 

"I'm happy," Matta explained prior to his team facing the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary last night. "I like it here a lot and I like where we're going. The organization is awesome and I like the city. It's nice to be somewhere that they trust you to give you that contract."

Head coach Derek Lalonde couldn't say enough positive things about what Maatta has brought to the team, who is excited that he'll be sticking around.

"A lot of times, you see something like that, and the reaction of the guys says a lot," Lalonde said. "The guys were ecstatic and overwhelmed. He's a great pro and human being. It made a lot of sense. The room is very excited. 

"We came in here this summer talking about being predictable and simple as a team," Lalonde continued. "He's all of that. He calms us down on the back end. It's hard to pick out a poor game he's given us this year."

Maatta has scored five goals along with 12 assists for a total of 17 points with a plus-5 rating in 49 games played in his first year with the Red Wings. 

He and the rest of his teammates will be finishing up their western road swing with a matchup against the upstart Seattle Kraken tomorrow night at Climate Pledge Arena.