Midseason report cards for the Detroit Red Wings: Olli Määttä
Though things have not gone well for the Finnish defender, Olli Määttä, the Detroit Red Wings have been hoping to get him back into a useful role.
In 2023–2024, the Detroit Red Wings made an investment to strengthen their blue line. Over the past few years, the team has chosen to add some talent in an effort to improve things and establish consistency among the players who start most of the time.
Olli Määttä, a defender from Finland, has been a familiar face over the past two seasons. He signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings for the 2022–2023 season. He agreed to a two-year, $6 million extension with the Red Wings, earning $3 million a year under his new contract.
Once again, he has contributed to the defensive core of the team, particularly in a year when Detroit has been competitive and has rotated defensemen through the lineup every game. Määttä’s ability to step in and find a role is commendable, but he still has room for improvement.
To be honest, Määttä’s play could be better. He doesn’t seem to be contributing much to the Red Wings, even if he isn’t playing top-pairing minutes. However, Detroit will be content with what Määttä can do for them for the time being and will keep hoping for more from him in the second year of his contract.
Olli Määttä, a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings, has to get better.
The defense core of the team has space for improvement. For layers like Määttä, defense can be difficult at times. Not only is it not only his fault, but the Red Wings have lost games and overall points as a result of defensive lapses.
Olli Määttä, a defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings, has to get better.
The defense core of the team has space for improvement. For layers like Määttä, defense can be difficult at times. Not only is it not only his fault, but the Red Wings have lost games and overall points as a result of defensive lapses.
With 32 games remaining, he has the opportunity to put things right, but Määttä needs to get better. His decreased ice time in 2023–24 is probably a result of his difficulties in both ends of the rink. Though there may not be much offensive upside, he seems like he should be able to score more frequently.
I am aware that Määttä hasn’t always had the best opportunities, and I think he would play better with a defender who complements his offensive style. However, Määttä needs to improve. There is always room for improvement, whether it is in terms of finding more offensive opportunities and scoring points or improving defensively.
It will require improved play in the defensive zone if Määttä is to establish himself as a valuable member of the Red Wings defense core. Määttä should perform better all around in the final stretch if he can improve his reads, play coverages well, and be shrewd in the defensive zone.
