Why the Blackhawks need Olli Maatta on their team

Olli Maatta might have only played one season with the Blackhawks so far, however, I believe he can be a big piece in the future.

While Olli Maatta might not have had the best start with the Chicago Blackhawks, it is all about where he finishes with the team. Maatta has not had the best few seasons ever since some injuries plagued his career following Pittsburgh winning their back to back Stanley Cups, even still, I believe he can still be productive for the Blackhawks.

Maatta, who is signed through 2021-22, is making 4 million a year with the Blackhawks. This is not a bad contract for someone who can play in the top four for the Blackhawks a few years down the line. Maatta is only 25, and while he might not be the fastest defensemen in the league, he has shown in the past he can play offensively.

Maatta might not be as good as he was supposed to be after his first few rookie seasons. However, he is still reliable enough for our team. His numbers increased both in points and Corsi this year after a bad season with the Penguins last year.

I am excited about Olli Maatta, and I think he is a great piece for this Blackhawks defense. The question moving forward is going to be who he plays with and in what pairing. Personally, I would like to see him play with a player like Ian Mitchell or Adam Boqvist next season. Pairing Maatta up with one of those two young guys can only lead to success with their offensive capabilities.

The Blackhawks have a lot of defensemen in their system right now, and yet it is still their biggest weakness. What blue line pairings would you like to see next season, and does it involve Olli Maatta?