Abel to Yzerman

Abel to Yzerman

The Wings Announced Two More Signings This Morning, Olli Maatta and Mark Pysyk

07/14/2022 at 10:13am EDT

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today signed defenseman Olli Maatta to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $2.25 million.

Maatta, 27, appeared in 66 games with the Los Angeles Kings during the 2021-22 season, recording eight points (1-7-8), a plus-17 rating and 10 penalty minutes. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound blueliner also ranked among the Kings’ top defensemen with 67 hits (4th) and 94 blocked shots (3rd), while logging 18:17 average time on ice. Additionally, Maatta played in seven games during the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs as the Kings clinched their first postseason berth in four years. In all, Maatta has spent nine seasons between the Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Kings since 2013-14, totaling 136 points (30-106-136), a plus-70 rating and 134 penalty minutes in 534 games, in addition to 27 points (5-22-27), a plus-28 rating and 24 penalty minutes in 85 postseason contests. Originally selected by the Penguins in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he won back-to-back Stanley Cup championships with the team in 2016 and 2017. He placed fifth in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy as a 19-year-old after picking up 29 points (9-20-29), a plus-eight rating and 14 penalty minutes during the 2013-14 season.

A native of Jyvaskyla, Finland, Maatta won a silver medal representing his country at the 2021 IIHF World Championship, notching a pair of assists in 10 games. He also made three appearances at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and captured a bronze medal at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, where he posted five points (3-2-5) in six games. Maatta skated in three-straight IIHF World Junior Championships from 2011-13 and served as an alternate captain at the 2011 IIHF World Under-18 Championship. Prior to turning professional, Maatta spent two seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights from 2011-13, helping the team earn two consecutive OHL titles. During his major junior career, Maatta logged 70 points (13-57-70), a plus-34 rating and 55 penalty minutes in 115 regular-season games along with 37 points, a plus-21 rating and 10 penalty minutes in 40 postseason games.


DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings today signed defenseman Mark Pysyk to a one-year contract with an average annual value of $850,000.

Pysyk, 30, is a veteran of 10 NHL seasons and has suited up in 531 games, totaling 104 points (28-76-104) and 162 penalty minutes between the Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars. The 6-foot-1, 198-pound defenseman returned to the Sabres last season after spending his first five campaigns (2012-16) with the organization, tallying 12 points (3-9-12) and 16 penalty minutes in 68 games during the 2021-22 season. Before rejoining the Sabres, Pysyk spent the 2020-21 season with the Stars, recording four points (3-1-4) in 36 games, and also suited up for the Panthers from 2016-20, tallying 62 points (17-45-62) in 292 games. During his first stint with the Sabres, Pysyk posted 26 points (5-21-26) in 125 games from 2012-16. He has also appeared in 145 games for the American Hockey League's Rochester Americans from 2012-16, recording 48 points (8-40-48) and 82 penalty minutes.

Originally drafted by the Sabres in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pysyk spent parts of five seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League before turning professional, totaling 125 points (25-100-125) in 243 games from 2007-12. Additionally, Pysyk posted 11 points (3-8-11) in 20 postseason games during his final season with the Oil Kings to help the club win the WHL Championship. A native of Sherwood Park, Alta., Pysyk won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.

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