from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,
Detroit Hockey Now’s Red Wings Review series is assessing every player who held a significant place in the fortunes of the 2022-23 Detroit Red Wings season. We’ll be looking at the highs and lows they experienced during the just-completed campaign, as well as what the future holds for them in Detroit.
Season Synopsis
Olli Maatta was among a raft of unrestricted free agents signed last summer by the Detroit Red Wings. The veteran defenseman was inked to a one-year pact. However, Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was so impressed by Maatta in his winged wheel debut that he was opting to sign Maatta to a two-year contract extension during the season with an annual AAV of $3 million.
“I put great value in really good people and high-character people and Olli is a real professional,” Yzerman said in explaining his decision to extend Maatta. “He shows up every day. He’s there early, he’s training. He’s prepared before practice, before the game and he’s there after practice, after the game.”...
“He’s been a good, solid steady defenseman,” Yzerman said. “He gets the puck up, he defends well. I’m very pleased to keep him. We were able to work out a contract that makes sense for him and I think makes sense for us and where we are and where our young defensemen are as well.”...
What Does His Detroit Future Hold?
The Red Wings view Maatta as someone who on the ice can be a top-four defender and off the ice, can serve as a mentor and an example as Detroit introduces its young defense prospects to the rigors of the NHL.
“I just think he’s a great professional and I think his play has made our D corps a better group,” Yzerman said. “Overall, I just think he’s been a real good pro and a good teammate and a good example for our players.”
from The Athletic,
Where would Bedard fit on each team? How much would he help, and how quickly? And who most (and least) deserves the generational talent?
As a primer ahead of the lottery, The Athletic asked the 11 writers who know these teams best to tell us more about Bedards potential situation with each organization.
When was the last time the team picked first in the draft? 1986 (Joe Murphy)
Where would Bedard play in Game 1? Top-six forward
Who are his most likely linemates? He might be best cast on the wing next to Dylan Larkin, but playing with Andrew Copp and Michael Rasmussen could give him some buffer defensively and in the faceoff circle, while adding a high-end finisher to that line.
What year would the team return to contention with Bedard? 2024-25
Why does the team deserve Bedard? Because the Red Wings have lost more ground in the draft lottery at least in its recent form than any other team, dropping a total of eight spots since 2016. That includes the teams main bottom out years of the rebuild, during which time theyve picked no better than fourth. And the lottery format has now been tweaked again to favor the leagues worst teams just as Detroit is finally on the upswing. Theres probably not much sympathy for the franchise as a whole, considering the success of the 1990s and 2000s, but this current iteration has gotten no breaks in the lottery whatsoever.
Max Bultman
more ($) teams
Exactly! My thoughts exactly. Why not us? It's past time for the hockey gods to atone for past treatment! 😁
Why not the Wings? Because the league holds the lottery in Gary's office and the Wings are neither 40 years removed from a cup or in financial difficulty. Not saying it's not all on the up and up, though.
SY: I put great value in really good people and high-character people."
Vs situation in a nutshell. Im through with my angst over this deal, hes gone, and thats that.
concur with Ukey, been of the opinion if not a top pick, Wings will find a diamond or two, in the later rounds.
the Gods giveth, and they taketh away..
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