Penguins/NHL
MAATTA’S INJURY COULD HAVE SERIOUS IMPACT ON ROSTER FLEXIBILITY
Doctors last week recommended surgery for Olli Maatta on a torn labrum, the same shoulder he had surgery on last May, sources confirmed to Inside Pittsburgh Sports on Tuesday evening.
Maatta who last played on December 6 vs the Senators, logging over 24 minutes, had been dealing with discomfort for a few weeks and further evaluation revealed a tear, according to a source.
Maatta last season played the final four months with a torn labrum before having surgery in May and the team sought a second opinion Monday from a doctor not connected to the organization.
Following the results of the second opinion, the Penguins have been expecting to make a firm decision by mid-week as the 20 year old defenseman believes he can play through the injury again following rest/treatment for a few weeks.
The concern from the teams standpoint is causing more long-term damage as it’s possible Maatta’s shoulder never fully recovered.
Losing Maatta for the season would be a major blow to the Penguins and offer them roster flexibility.
It would put to rest any rumblings of the team trading Paul Martin, which they are not interested in doing right now. If they lose Maatta, what the Penguins will have to weigh is going young with a Scott Harrington/Brian Dumoulin to fill out the top-6 or bring in a veteran defenseman.
One name to watch in the coming months will be 37 year old defenseman Marek Zidlicky, a player the organization is very high on and have been for a few years now.
NOTES
Beau Bennett was officially diagnosed with mumps the team confirmed Tuesday……
