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Olli Maatta News
Maatta underwent successful hand surgery and is expected to miss six weeks.

Maatta played just 7:38 before leaving last night’s game with a hand injury. The Penguins quickly announced that he underwent surgery and will likely miss the remainder of the regular season. Expect the Penguins to place him on LTIR to create a roster spot and earn some cap relief ahead of the 2017 trade deadline.

Olli Maatta
Maatta (illness) will return to the lineup on Saturday.

Maatta missed the last two games with an illness, but is set to return to the lineup tomorrow vs. the Canadiens. Once heralded as one of the next great young defenseman, Maatta has struggled to produce offensively, picking up just two assists in 35 games this season.

Olli Maatta
Maatta (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Wednesday.

Maatta was on the ice for the second day in a row and skated alongside Kris Letang in Tuesday’s practice, but remains a game-time decision for Game 1 vs. the Rangers. Monitor his status during the Penguins morning skate on Wednesday, but things are trending in the right direction for him to return after a nine-game absence.

Olli Maatta
Maatta (lower-body) practiced on Monday but remains questionable for Game 1.

Maatta missed the final nine games of the regular season and might miss the start of the postseason as well. He took part in the Penguins’ practice this morning, but said “I really can’t say for sure” when he was asked if he would play on Wednesday.

Olli Maatta
The Penguins have signed Olli Maata to a six-year, $24.498M ($4.083M AAV) contract extension.

Maatta was set to be a restricted free agent at the end of the season, but is now signed through the 2021-22 season with a $4.083 million cap-hit. Maatta has 16 points (6G / 10A) in 53 games this season and 54 points (16G / 38A) in 151 career NHL games.

Olli Maatta