Detroit Red Wings Trade Two-time Stanley Cup Champion to Utah Hockey Club

Although they got off to a great start in their first season, the Utah Hockey Club has since faltered. The team has suffered long-term injuries to two defensive mainstays, young star Sean Durzi and draft-day acquisition John Marino from the New Jersey Devils. It was no secret that the team was considering a trade market acquisition.

With the acquisition of defenseman Olli Maatta from the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick (obtained by keeping salary on the Patrick Kane trade between the Chicago Blackhawks and New York Rangers), they have finally made the move that everyone was anticipating.

Maatta, who was first selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round of the 2012 NHL entry draft, has played in an NHL record 691 games and 85 playoff games, including two Stanley Cup victories with the Penguins.

The Utah Hockey Club lost a 4-1 lead to the San Jose Sharks and has struggled to score goals, so we'll see if this deal is enough to lift them out of their current slump. Maatta should give the young blueline more stability, but he won't do much to help score goals.

This past summer, the Detroit Red Wings were forced to trade Jake Walman because they were overloaded with defensemen, including Justin Holl and Ben Chiarot's anchor deals on the left. Now that they have more cap space, GM Steve Yzerman may be able to make a move. Something will have to give eventually because the team is still outside of the playoff picture.