The Utah Hockey Club announced Monday the team has signed defenceman Olli Maatta to a three-year, $3.5 million contract extension. Maatta would have been an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but Utah has decided to keep the veteran beyond the team’s inaugural season. A former first-round draft pick (22nd overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2012, Maatta has proven himself as a steady and reliable shutdown defenceman. He was acquired in a trade from the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 29 due to Utah’s many injuries on their blue line. Maatta won two Stanley Cup championships with the Penguins.
Määttä is staying in Salt Lake! 🏔️🩵
Utah Hockey Club has signed defenseman Olli Määttä to a three-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/hZsb4rYXzb
— Utah Mammoth (@utahhockeyclub) March 3, 2025
Here to Stay
With the trade deadline this Friday, Utah had to quickly decide if Maatta was in the team’s long-term plans or not. Ultimately, Utah believes Maatta has been a perfect fit on defence and did not want to lose him in the summer. Maatta has two goals, 14 points, 55 shots on goal, and 108 blocked shots in 58 games this season.
He played seven games with Detroit prior to the trade to Utah. The 30-year-old is in the final season of a two-year contract he signed with the Red Wings in 2023. All his points this year have come with Utah.
Averaging 20:41 of ice time this season, Maatta has been a key factor in Utah’s push for a playoff spot. He has mostly played in a top-four role on defence for Utah. He will continue to be important during Utah’s final 21 games as they continue to chase the wild card. Utah sits just two points behind the Calgary Flames. If Utah makes the playoffs, it would be an exciting way to begin their time in their new home.
Although Maatta is signed, Utah still has business to do before the trade deadline. Insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff says Utah is in talks with pending UFA goaltender Karel Vejmelka on a new contract. Maatta’s contract extension could be an indication Utah is trying to keep part of the team together.
Main Photo: David Kirouac- Imagn Images
