NHL News

Kings Acquire Olli Maatta From Blackhawks

The LA Kings have acquired defenseman Olli Maatta from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Brad Morrison.

by
NHL Trade Talk
October 4, 2020

The Los Angeles Kings have made a trade on Sunday and acquired defenseman Olli Maatta from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for forward Brad Morrison. With the deal, the Blackhawks clear out $3.3 million in salary cap space. They will retain $750,108 of his $4,083,333 salary/cap hit.

Related: Blackhawks and Golden Knights Make Minor Trade: Pirri for Sikura

Maatta was fourth on the Blackhawks defense corps in TOI during the playoffs and regular season. He’ll move over to the Kings where he’s likely to slot in as a top left-handed defenseman, assuming they don’t add another piece between now and next season.

“Olli is a well-rounded player who will fit well with our group of defensemen,” said Vice President and General Manager Rob Blake. The GM added, “He is a young player that already has a lot of valuable NHL experience, including a pair of Stanley Cups, and we look forward to having him join our organization.”

TRADE ALERT: The #Blackhawks have acquired forward Brad Morrison from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for defenseman Olli Maatta.

Release: https://t.co/2RWtj8WiPO pic.twitter.com/GUQZoKf0su
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 4, 2020

Still only 26, Maatta posted 17 points (4-13=17) in 65 games last season with the Blackhawks. He averaged 18:25 minutes per game during the regular season and 18:17 TOI during this season’s short playoff run. He comes to the Kings with seven seasons of NHL experience, having spent time with the Blackhawks and Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blackhawks acquired Maatta from the Penguins in exchange for forward Dominik Kahun and a fifth-round pick in 2019.

Meanwhile, Morrison appeared in 17 games last season with the Fort Wayne Komets (ECHL), tallying six goals and 13 assists for 19 points. He was a 2015 fourth-round pick by the New York Rangers.

Blackhawks Now Have a Little More Space

Thanks to the deal, the Blackhawks now have $11.1 million in cap space with 16 players signed through the 2020-21 season. On the to-do list is signing forwards Drake Caggiula, Dominik Kubalik and Dylan Strome, as well as defenseman Slater Koekkoek and goaltender Malcolm Subban.

So too, fans are keeping a close eye on the goaltending situation as Corey Crawford is likely to test unrestricted free agency and the Hawks will need a No. 1 netminder should he leave.

Next: Might Blackhawks Sacrifice Crawford for Matt Murray?