yave1964 Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Mackinnon leads all rookies in scoring and will likely win the Calder but in my opinion Maatta needs to have at least a little bit of consideration for the award. Maatta was taken with the 22nd pick two years ago, the year of the d-man, 8 of the first ten picks were defenseman, Maatta actually was the tenth blueliner taken in the first round. He turned 19 right before training camp and made the roster with his tenacity and hard work, and was expected to be shipped out after his obligatory 8 games by just about everyone. He did not embarrass himself and when Martin got hurt they made the decision to fast track Maatta and keep him in the NHL over a slew of solid prospects down at the AHL. He has never looked back, a boy among men who can play with about anyone. I watch a fair share of Penguin games, I like quality hockey and like them or hate them the team knows how to play the game. You expect Crosby or Malkin to leave you with your jaw hanging open a couple of times a game, Neal and Letang and Kunitz a couple of times a week, but this kid is who I concentrate on when he is on the ice. Danny Dekeyser for the Wings has stepped in straight from college as a top four d-man with upside at the age of 23 and I feel privileged to have him. Dekeyser, however is nothing compared to this kid. Maatta has the vision on the ice of a ten year veteran. He gets caught out of position occasionally but can make up for it with his speed, he has size (Six foot 2) and should fill out his frame as he gets older. With Letang out he will get more of a chance to show his skill, he already has 23 points and is a plus 12 on the year. I looked up a few things on the internet about him, I know that Wikipedia is often unreliable but according to that source his favorite book is the English dictionary and his favorite food is mushroom soup. That has nothing to do with nothing but just thought I would put it in here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OccamsRazor Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 (edited) Mackinnon leads all rookies in scoring and will likely win the Calder but in my opinion Maatta needs to have at least a little bit of consideration for the award. Yes this hurts even more when the Flyers NEEDED a defenseman and passed on him once again to take Laughton. Not that Laughton won't be a good player but i just looked at it as addressing a need/best player available type scenario. But there are many here who say it the same way. But none the less Pens got them a good young Dman for years to come. Also another good young Dman right behind Olli and to me maybe more impressive because he has no where the talent around him that Maata does is Jacob Touba....this kid is impressive and has a offensive up side not even tapped yet. And from the US development program which is great to see. Honorable mention too Eric Gelinas of the Devils and Lindholm of the Ducks whom is a astounding +26 damn!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the Flyers????? Nada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Edit: Trouba is Jammer's guy has mentioned him for awhile so i like you when watching Winnie play i focused on this kid very smart kid. Am yes i'm jealous! Edited February 9, 2014 by OccamsRazor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Matta has been a very pleasant surprise this season. Its not too often that you can see a defensemen that young playing with the confidence he has. Over the past two weeks, he has taken another step forward with the shot fake from the blue line with defensive players challenging him. He just looks so confident. Up until Letang's injury, I thought that his progress meant the end of the road for either Orpik, Bortozzo or Niskanen. Now I think that may stay Shero's hand. Although he may get some attention as top rookie, I don't think a defensemen has a chance for the Calder unless they put up HUGE numbers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yave1964 Posted February 9, 2014 Author Share Posted February 9, 2014 Matta has been a very pleasant surprise this season. Its not too often that you can see a defensemen that young playing with the confidence he has. Over the past two weeks, he has taken another step forward with the shot fake from the blue line with defensive players challenging him. He just looks so confident. Up until Letang's injury, I thought that his progress meant the end of the road for either Orpik, Bortozzo or Niskanen. Now I think that may stay Shero's hand. Although he may get some attention as top rookie, I don't think a defensemen has a chance for the Calder unless they put up HUGE numbers. Back in 2003 Barrett Jackman was given the Calder over Zetterberg which still irritates me, lol. IF is the key word. With Letang out IF Maatta takes another step and winds up around 40 points and a plus 20 and Mackinnon slips a bit than Maatta deserves consideration. His vision for a nineteen year old kid blows my mind. His carrying the puck deep with his club down by a goal and three minutes to go the other night and drawing double coverage and finding Neal creeping in was a play that I have watched Lidstrom make for years. You just do not expect a kid to do that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nossagog Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Back in 2003 Barrett Jackman was given the Calder over Zetterberg which still irritates me, lol. IF is the key word. With Letang out IF Maatta takes another step and winds up around 40 points and a plus 20 and Mackinnon slips a bit than Maatta deserves consideration. His vision for a nineteen year old kid blows my mind. His carrying the puck deep with his club down by a goal and three minutes to go the other night and drawing double coverage and finding Neal creeping in was a play that I have watched Lidstrom make for years. You just do not expect a kid to do that. One other thing that he has been displaying lately, a pretty good slap shot. After the break, it will be interesting to see if they give him a little more PP time. I think that they want to keep his minutes down so that he does not tire at the end of the season at his young age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackStraw Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 I wanted the Flyers to take Maata rather than Laughton. Not that I don't think Laughton will be a good player, but a defenseman like Maata was pretty much just what the Flyers needed (and still need). It's sad to think about what might have been, with Maata having a year or two to learn from his countryman Timonen. I think this is looking more and more like one of Homer's bigger mistakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Polaris922 Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Couldn't agree more with the sentiments expressed here. The kid is really turning heads. He's someone I like to watch on the ice regardless of where the puck is. Just fun to watch such a young kid succeed on the big scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jammer2 Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 His current play is why I was saying he was a finished product last summer, before even stepping into the NHL as a rookie. I didn't really mean it literally, of course he will grow and develop, but this kid already plays like an NHL regular, you won't see the accustomed glaring rookie errors from him, cause he thinks the game so well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
domaug Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 His current play is why I was saying he was a finished product last summer, before even stepping into the NHL as a rookie. I didn't really mean it literally, of course he will grow and develop, but this kid already plays like an NHL regular, you won't see the accustomed glaring rookie errors from him, cause he thinks the game so well.granted, he's been beaten at times this year, but i don't think that those plays affected him that much (thankfully). he always seems to snap back into sound defensive positioning anytime he makes even a tiny mistake. he's been amazing so far in his rookie season and i hope he continues to grow and develop as an NHL player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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