Random thoughts on London Knights defenseman Ollie Maatta.

Ollie Maatta (2) played over 44 minutes in OHL final game one

ON THE ICE.   Ollie's improvement in the second half of the season and in the playoffs is the exclusive property of the really good players.  I mean players who are going to be real solid NHL'ers.  Elite players just have a different arc of performance than those who plateau.  Maatta has 20 points in just 16 playoff games and is a +10 and now regular quarterbacks the power play.  Ollie had an adjustment period in the first half of the season.  He was taking too long to make plays and getting hit too often.  This was natural for someone learning so many new things about life and hockey.

Maatta vs. Kitchener Rangers in Western Conference final

Upon returning from a concussion at the world junior hockey championships, Maatta improved his one-on-one coverage under the guidance of Knights assistant coach Rob Ramage.   He has improved his first pass out of the d-zone, his ability to read the play and join the rush as well as his shot.   While Maatta doesn't put people through the boards or even look for the big open ice hit, he can swallow opposing forwards with positioning, active stick-checking and a high level of commitment to defensive play.

Maatta (2) scores key shorthanded goal vs. Kitchener

He still needs to get stronger but logs plenty of playoff minutes without difficulty.
While he doesn't have Ryan Murphy speed, he has improved his footwork in the defensive zone.  Maatta has also become adept at reading the push from opposing forwards and joining the attack at the proper time.  While it's not correct to compare any 17 year-old to Nicklas Lidstrom - Maatta is effective in a "Lidstrom" sort of way - he is efficient more than flashy.

OFF THE ICE.   A very good person.  Teammates and coaches like his laid back approach to life but his excellent work ethic.  It is very hard to believe that he won't be 18 until August 22nd.  He really wants to be good.  At this point, I think he is underrated.  Scouts were expecting more in the first half of the season after he was selected first in the CHL import draft - and they are getting it now.  Many left his grade at a lower level based on first half play when he was learning a new lifestyle, new ice surface and adjusting to the speed and physical play of the OHL.
Ollie says if he had a choice of winning a gold medal game against either Canada, Russia or Sweden - he would pick Sweden.

Maatta interviewed by Finnish reporter

OUTLOOK -  Ollie Maatta has a chance to be one of the best defenseman Finland has ever produced.  Teppo Numminen is the clear standard of Finnish blue liners with 20 years and over 1,300 games played.   Aki Berg was taken 3rd overall by the Los Angeles Kings in the 1985 NHL entry draft.  While Maatta will not be drafted that high, Maatta will be much better than Aki Berg and has the potential to push Numminen for the best-ever Finnish d-man title.

Any NHL team that is lucky enough to draft him past 12 is getting a steal.  As teams analyze his playoff performance and start interviewing him, he'll be a fast rising commodity prior to the draft.