Olli Maatta proving he's about more than just defense with Red Wings

DETROIT --Olli Maatta, who signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings on July 14, is quickly proving he's about more than just defense.

Through six games this season, the 28-year-old Maatta has five points (1-4-5) and a plus-3 rating. And there's still more than 70 games to be played for Maatta to eclipse his scoring totals (1-7-8; 66 games) with the Los Angeles Kings in 2021-22.
"Sometimes you think that offensive D-man is jumping in the rush or beating people out of the zone like a (Colorado Avalanche defenseman) Cale Makar, who creates his own offense out of the zone going north," Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde said. "Sometimes it's just supporting it and being up in the play. As part of our structure, I think he's doing it. Simple is predictable and he's helping us along with our offense."

Maatta said it's important to be part of the offense as a defenseman, something he's trying to do more consistently.
"There's not really a defensive defenseman anymore," Maatta said. "Everybody has to be able to make plays and move the puck. If you're not, then you're playing in your own zone. Breaking out of the D-zone is a huge part of the game and nowadays, defensemen wanna be part of the offense. Even the offensive guys play defense too, so everyone is playing as a five-man unit."
That mindset is helping Maatta join the Red Wings' record books. With a pair of assists against the Kings on Oct. 17, he became the first Detroit blueliner to record a point in each of the first three or more games of the season since Brian Rafalski had nine (1-8-9) in seven contests in 2008-09.
"It's great to get offense from the D," Lalonde said. "But Olli's points have been simple points. He's done the right thing out of our zone."

While Maatta is pleased with his offensive game, his top priority remains "not getting scored on."
"I believe that when the team wins, the team plays well and everybody looks good," Maatta said. "That's the number one goal. Whatever it takes, you just gotta make it happen. Certainly, I think I've added a little more offense in my game and there's more I can show."
And fellow defenseman Moritz Seider said he's excited to see how Maatta will appear on the scoresheet next.
"When you look at his points, it's elite skill," Seider said. "It's been great. He's starting off really hot and I hope he can continue it. He's been crucial for the PK too because he blocks a lot of shots. He's tough to play against and in our opponents' face. I think that's what our identity has been all about."