The Pittsburgh Penguins have traded defenseman Olli Maatta to the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Dominik Kahun and a 2019 fifth-round pick, according to TSN’s Darren Dreger.
With a surplus of defensemen on their roster, the Penguins were going to have to make a move and unload one of their defensemen as the team already had Kris Letang, Justin Schultz, Brian Dumoulin, Erik Gudbranson, Jack Johnson, Chad Ruhwedel and Marcus Pettersson on the NHL roster. Maatta was a prime candidate to be moved after a so-so season in which the 24-year-old went from a seven-goal, 29-point season in 2017-18 to a one-goal, 14-point season this past year. Injuries have also plagued Maatta as he missed six weeks with an upper-body injury late in the season.
It looks like Pittsburgh got good value in return for Maatta, however, as they team picks up Kahun, who had an impressive rookie season for Chicago. The 23-year-old signed a two-year entry-level deal out of Germany and immediately proved his worth by making the Blackhawks’ squad out of training camp and showed off his versatility by being able to play any forward position. He contributed 13 goals and 37 points, but with the number of NHL forwards that Chicago has on its roster, the team had the luxury of trading one away to bolster its defensive core. Kahun should bolster the team’s middle-six, providing offense on whatever line the team needs. Pittsburgh general manager Jim Rutherford spoke highly of the new addition:
He is a speedy, versatile player capable of playing all three forward positions. He also saw time on Chicago’s power-play and penalty killing units. We are very excited for him to join our team.
While adding Kahun, perhaps the biggest plus to the trade was freeing up some cap space. By moving his three years and $4.08MM contract and acquiring the cheaper Kahun ($925K), the Penguins have added $3.16MM in cap space this season. The Penguins also add a coveted draft pick for this year, even if it’s in the fifth round. Pittsburgh had already traded away its second, third, fourth and sixth-round picks for this draft, so adding a second fifth-rounder helps make up for those lost picks.
For Chicago, with $19MM in projected cap space this offseason, adding Maatta’s contract wasn’t a problem and the team still is expected to have more than $17MM in cap space to make more moves this offseason. The team needed to add some experienced depth to its team and it likely was going to do it via trade. The fact that Maatta is left-handed, however, will have him battling with a group of left-handers for playing time, including Duncan Keith, Erik Gustafsson, Slater Koekkoek and Carl Dahlstrom.
Solid move for both teams. Like it a lot as pens fan!
Solid move for both teams
Agreed. Didnt think Maatta’s value was that high.
Sooo Hawks not taking Byram now?
They still might. Can never have too many D-men. But I think they take turcotte
Injuries slowed him, but Olli is a very smart player. In a system that doesn’t require as much speed, he could be a top 4 again. But, not here for Sullivan. Good luck to him.
Kahun sounds like a solid return with the right cap hit.
Between Pettersson, McCann and now Kahun, Rutherford has added a lot of young players to replace the boat load of picks he’s traded away. Adding Bjugstad and Gubrandson as prime age, high pedigree rebound players while giving up little helps, too.
Bowman gets fleeced again
As a hawks fan I hate it
As a Hawk fan , I kind like idea, Maatta being lefty would be good fit pairing with Seabrook on 2nd Defensive unit. Hope they take Turcotte as it will also enable to bring in and free up spot for Kubalik, Like the move, both teams helped themselves in this move. still look for Chicago to be active in looking for bottom 6 forwards through trade of free agency, Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!
Good trade for the hawks, kahun is more of a 3rd line player
Thinking this deal all the sudden makes Rusty available in a deal. Is he a 3.5 million per year player?
Gudbranson is among the worst players in the NHL for my money
ugh stan bowman
I don’t care how bad he was in FLA or VAN, Gubrandson was solid here in Pittsburgh. He and Petterson are a nice third pair.
Rutherford moved out Hagelin (and later Pearson), Brassard, Sheahan (all 3 UFA’s), Sprong and Maatta to bring in Gubrandson, Pettersson, McCann, Bjugstad and now Kahun. All younger and under long term control. A real nice quiet retool.
Yes but he also sold off a lot of picks for marginal upgrades at best.
And the end result was back to back Stanley Cup championships.
One has to truly not see the forest to nitpick some broken eggs while ignoring the award winning omelette.
None of those players were part of the winning teams I dont think.
There is more work to do by JR.