“Obviously our first concern is for Olli and his health,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He is an outstanding young man and has a tremendous future ahead of him. The doctors tell us that this is a very treatable condition, and that it can be taken care of with the surgery. The Penguins organization will be there for him and support him every step of the way.”
It is shocking news in light of everything, but then there was this little bit of knowledge: Maatta found out before the season started. The team stated that the mass was found during pre-season physicals. Meaning he has played with this knowledge for three weeks and has played phenomenal hockey. Maatta currently has five points (1G-4A) in seven games and is averaging roughly twenty minutes a night.
What is most important about all of this, the doctors believe that Olli will "go on to live a healthy life and this should not affect his ability to play hockey long-term." That is great news that it is not expected to be life threatening and he should make a complete recovery.
What Olli Had to Say
I'm trying to find out everything I can. I know I'm going to be fine...I haven't been that worried about it because I know we have a great medical staff here. I know they are going to take care of me...I feel healthy and I feel fine, but the only thing that's different is I maybe have a cancer."
What Do YOu Do While He Recovers?
The good news on that front is that Robert Bortuzzo will be returning the team following missing the first month with a knee injury. But is Bortuzzo solely the answer? I think perhaps in the short term yes, but he was supposed to be ready a week ago and he may not play until this weekend. If that is the case, is Bortuzzo 100% and will he be able to just slot in for Maatta? I don't know about the first and don't get me wrong I really like Borts, but he cannot replace Maatta's productions. In the short term, I think maybe the Pens go with the following pairings:
- Kris Letang - Christian Ehrhoff
- Paul Martin - Simon Despres
- Robert Bortuzzo - Rob Scuderi
To be frank, I am not a fan of those pairings. Now, some have suggested putting Despres with Letang and Bortuzzo with Scuderi. That I don't have a problem with, but I don't trust Despres with top 4 minutes and that usually results in Letang being a less-dynamic player to make sure Despres doesn't struggle. Like I said, I am not a fan of these plans.
Now there are two other options the Penguins should explore. First, playing Scott Harrington. The reason for Harrington sitting in the press box makes even more sense than it did before in light of the Maatta announcement. Was he here to watch Maatta as well as learn from Scuderi? Seems that way. If that is in fact the case, you should give him the chance to play. He played a lot of minutes with Paul Martin in the preseason and I would be very comfortable with him stepping into a top 4 role on this team. These would be my pairs with Harrington in the lineup:
- Kris Letang - Christian Ehrhoff
- Paul Martin - Scott Harrington
- Rob Scuderi - Robert Bortuzzo
I like the way Harrington played with Martin in the preseason and he seems capable of playing high minutes. He is a defensive defenseman who can move the puck well. That is very similar to Paul Martin these days and the two would complement each other well. This also allows the Pens to have a shutdown pair in Bortuzzo and Scuderi as the third pair and have Bortuzzo replace Maatta on the penalty kill.
The second option is the Pens calling up their prized toy in Derrick Pouliot. Now, this option is not as high on my list because of two reasons. First, Pouliot only has four pro games under his belt. Secondly, he is coming off major offseason surgery. I would rather see him get his legs under him and pro experience in Wilkes-Barre for now, then maybe come up when Martin is traded near the deadline. The one thing about Pouliot though is he would replace the offensive production Maatta's absence will create. Pouliot could work the point on the second PP unit, where Maatta has been the last few games. Here would be my pairs in this case:
- Kris Letang - Derrick Pouliot
- Paul Martin - Christian Ehrhoff
- Rob Scuderi - Robert Bortuzzo
Pouliot would be able to slot right into Maatta's spot with Letang; a pairing Letang should find relatively comfortable since their games are similar and Maatta and Pouliot aren't all that different. That allows the Pens to keep Martin and Ehrhoff together as well. Then, again, you put Bortuzzo with Scuderi and he can play Maatta's penalty kill minutes.
Only time will tell what the Pens decide to do. However, they have to begin their preparations because they will be tested for the first time next Tuesday in Minnesota.
My Final Thoughts
What the Penguins will do in the interim to replace him is perplexing. I personally am a fan of the Harrington route over the others. Only time will tell what Johnston and company will decide on this matter. We will know going into next Tuesday's matchup in Minnesota.
I want to take this moment to call on all of Penguins nation at this time. If you are in attendance for any of the games of this week's homestand, I am calling for everyone to wear Maatta gear and/or Hockey Fights Cancer material as well. Thursday night against LA will be the Pens official "Hockey Fights Cancer Night," but even tomorrow for New Jersey let's get the gear and Maatta gear going to support him. #MaattaOutConsol
Also, the Penguins have created a way for the fans to send a message to Olli in this tough time. The link to send you personal message to Olli