Penguins/NHL
The Pittsburgh Penguins this afternoon announced that the team has signed first round picks Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta to three year entry level contracts. Pouliot was taken 8th overall in the 2012 NHL entry draft and Maatta was taken 22nd overall.
The deals for both players begin when they turn professional and join the organization.
The signings are smart for the players as it’s possible compensation could be lower for entry level contracts under a new CBA and the NHL has been looking to expand entry level deals to four to five years.
SCOUTING REPORTS
Olli Maatta Age 18TIOPS No. 4 Prospect
Born: 8-22-1994, Jyvaskyla, Finland ,
Height: 6-2 Weight: 206 lbs
Position: Defense Shoots: L
2012 1st round pick
2011-2012 Team: London Knights OHL
2011-2012 Stats: 58 GP | 5 Goals – 27 Assists – 32 Points |
2012-2013 Outlook: Maatta just 18 years old, will return to juniors and play for the London Knights this season. Maatta is likely a good three years away from pushing for NHL action.
Scouting Report: In the mold of a Scott Harrington, Maatta plays a rock solid two-way game and is a player the Penguins had rated as a top-15 player on the board. ”Penguins definitely got a steal where they got him, ” Harrington a teammate of Maatta in London said in July at the Penguins development camp. “I definitely thought he’d go top 10 for sure. He’s just an all-around two-way defenseman.” Like Harrington, there’s nothing real flashy about Maatta’s game but he plays with a lot of poise and confidence who can play in all situations……… Maatta has a strong hockey IQ and what’s so intriguing about Maatta’s upside is that he already has great size at 6-2, 206 lbs.
Potential– Top-4 defensive defenseman who can play all situations
Derrick Pouliot Age 18TIOPS No. 5 Prospect
Born: 1-16-1994 – Weyburn, SASK
Height: 5-11 Weight: 195 lbs
Position: D Shoots: Left
2012 1st round pick
2012-2013 Team: Portland WHL
2011-2012 Stats: 72 GP | 11 Goals -48 Assists – 59 Points |
2012-2013 season Outlook: Pouliot is destined to return to juniors in Portland for 2012-2013 season and join the Penguins organization for the 2013-2014 season. Pouliot is a good bet to be at least three years away from the NHL as he needs to get stronger.
Scouting Report: A strong puck possession defenseman, Pouliot has excellent vision and passing ability on the breakout……See’s the play before it unfolds and has power play QB written all over him….Has good skating ability but he’s not a dynamic skater….Pouliot though has great quickness and escape ability when eluding an incoming forechecker…….Needs to gain more upper body strength as he can be overmatched physically at times…..Makes up for lack of size with good positioning and ability to read the play……
Potential– Top-4 puck moving defenseman
