The Los Angeles Kings announced they have traded for defenseman Olli Maatta, acquiring him from the Chicago Blackhawks for ECHL prospect Brad Morrison. The Blackhawks will also retain $750K of Maatta’s contract as part of the deal, bringing down Maatta’s salary cap number to around $3.33MM.
“Olli is a well-rounded player who will fit well with our group of defensemen,” said Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake. “He is a young player that already has a lot of valuable NHL experience, including a pair of Stanley Cups, and we look forward to having him join our organization.”
For the Kings, the team just acquired a two-time Stanley Cup champion for practically nothing besides that two year, $3.33MM AAV price tag. Maatta, who originally signed a six-year, $24.5MM contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 2016. While he has struggled with his play the last few years, he still should make an immediate impact with Los Angeles, who needs as much defensive help as it can. After star defenseman Drew Doughty, Maatta likely becomes the second best defenseman on the team as most of their defense is comprised of younger, unestablished players.
Of course, Maatta hasn’t been nearly as sharp since signing that deal, especially considering the original costly $4.1MM AAV. With only two years of more than 20 points on his offensive resume, Maatta has even had some trouble dominating on the defensive side and found himself on the Penguins’ third pairing before they traded him last offseason to Chicago. His play wasn’t much better with the Blackhawks where he put up four goals and 17 points in 65 games. However, Maatta did play better in the playoffs, posting three goals and six points in nine playoff games for Chicago.
For Chicago, it’s a great deal to free up as much cap room. The team has a number of key players it must re-sign, including unrestricted free agent goaltender Corey Crawford as well as the need to work out long-term extensions with restricted free agents Dylan Strome and Dominik Kubalik, who have become top-six players recently. Because of that, unloading Maatta’s contract was expected to occur at some point. There was some discussion that the Blackhawks had planned to buy out Maatta if they couldn’t find a trade option. With Maatta’s contract (or most of it) off the books, the team now has $11.1MM of available cap space with 16 players signed.
While the loss of Maatta takes away a veteran from the team’s defense, the Blackhawks are loaded with young defensive players who look close to NHL-ready, including Adam Boqvist, Ian Mitchell, Nicolas Beaudin and Lucas Carlsson, amongst others.
Chicago did acquire Morrison, who played 50 games at the AHL level in 2018-19, but found himself in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Comets where he played just 17 games. A fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers in 2015, has one year remaining on his entry-level contract.
This trade feels pretty one-sided to me. While I do think Morrison has some potential and had a chance to play with the Kings in 2021. Maatta is 26, a two time cup winner, and all around good defenseman that can play some big minutes and contribute on the offense. Love it.
As a Hawks fan, I love this trade. The Hawks got out of the final year of meh defenseman with a $4m contract and didn’t have to take on a bad contract to do it. Olli can show flashes, but has never really been consistent enough to play above the 3rd pairing, at least with the Hawks.
Maybe a bit of a win-win situation. Morrison will most certainly get a contract from the Hawks and will be given the chance to play in the back six for them while Maatta can prove himself on the Kings in his final year before heading to free agency. They both fill a need for both teams with the Hawks shedding a bit of salary cap.
Maatta has 2 years left on his contract, hawks needed to shed salary to sign kubalik strome and caggiula, I know absolutely nothing about Brandon Morrison
brad, not brandon
I think this is a killer move by the kings. I think maatta has value above his play the last few years and they got him for nothing other than to eat some salary. Well done.
Kings just gotta hope Morrison doesn’t turn into the next Kubalik.
Man wouldn’t their faces be red!!!
“Two time defending Stanley Cup Champion”? Didn’t realize he played for St Louis and Tampa Bay…
Actually, Pittsburgh and Chicago won the cup these last two years. Now don’t you feel silly!
@The Mistake of Giving Eugene Melnyk a Liver Transplant – Man, I can’t leave you guys alone for a minute! “Actually, Pittsburgh and Chicago won the cup these last two years.” — You got some ‘esplainin’ to do, Lucy!
I don’t think Maatta is that great but they got an NHL defenceman for a depth prospect in their loaded system. Hard to see any downside in this deal for LA.