DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: Olli Maatta, the Penguins’ starcrossed young defenseman, won’t have surgery on an upper-body injury and instead is expected to be back ‘within four weeks,’ Mike Johnston told us this morning at Consol Energy Center.
Views: This qualifies as bigger news than it might appear. Maatta’s injury is actually a re-injury to his already surgically repaired shoulder, and a second surgery would have put him out for the rest of the season and playoffs. Details aren’t available regarding the diagnosis, but Maatta was known to have sought a second opinion.
It’s a huge break for the Penguins and for a great, talented kid who already has had to deal with thyroid cancer this season. At least all concerned know he’ll return to play. Or at least try to play, assuming this diagnosis is correct. Either way, it’s a best-case scenario. Jim Rutherford doesn’t need to worry additionally about defensive depth or how that might parlay into trade value, and Maatta doesn’t have to start believing the sky is about to fall on his head.
Marc-Andre Fleury stops separate shots by Brandon Sutter and Patric Hornqvist Saturday morning. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
The Penguins had more good news at the game-day skate in advance of tonight’s meeting with the Capitals: Paul Martin and Beau Bennett participated and are ‘getting closer’ to returning, per Johnston. Brandon Sutter, cleared of the mumps, will play tonight. Robert Bortuzzo will be a ‘game-time decision,’ per Johnston.
I’ll have a full column off the game tonight, with a focus on Sidney Crosby, whom I interviewed this morning. Hope you can check it out.
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December 27, 2014
News/views: Maatta will avoid surgery
by Dejan Kovacevic • Coverage • Penguins
DEJAN KOVACEVIC, DK ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS
News: Olli Maatta, the Penguins’ starcrossed young defenseman, won’t have surgery on an upper-body injury and instead is expected to be back ‘within four weeks,’ Mike Johnston told us this morning at Consol Energy Center.
Views: This qualifies as bigger news than it might appear. Maatta’s injury is actually a re-injury to his already surgically repaired shoulder, and a second surgery would have put him out for the rest of the season and playoffs. Details aren’t available regarding the diagnosis, but Maatta was known to have sought a second opinion.
It’s a huge break for the Penguins and for a great, talented kid who already has had to deal with thyroid cancer this season. At least all concerned know he’ll return to play. Or at least try to play, assuming this diagnosis is correct. Either way, it’s a best-case scenario. Jim Rutherford doesn’t need to worry additionally about defensive depth or how that might parlay into trade value, and Maatta doesn’t have to start believing the sky is about to fall on his head.
Marc-Andre Fleury stops separate shots by Brandon Sutter and Patric Hornqvist Saturday morning. — DEJAN KOVACEVIC
The Penguins had more good news at the game-day skate in advance of tonight’s meeting with the Capitals: Paul Martin and Beau Bennett participated and are ‘getting closer’ to returning, per Johnston. Brandon Sutter, cleared of the mumps, will play tonight. Robert Bortuzzo will be a ‘game-time decision,’ per Johnston.
I’ll have a full column off the game tonight, with a focus on Sidney Crosby, whom I interviewed this morning. Hope you can check it out.