Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta will be sidelined for six weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged left hand. The injury occurred late in Thursday’s match-up against the Winnipeg Jets when Maatta was hit by Jets’ forward Adam Lowry. Maatta left the game and would not return. Early Friday, Maatta underwent surgery, which was performed by head team physician Dr. Dharmesh Vyas of the UPMC Sports Medicine team.
Olli Maatta To Miss Six Weeks After Successful Hand Surgery
Olli Maatta underwent successful hand surgery and is expected to be out of the lineup for six weeks. Details: https://t.co/RHBAjV8r0d pic.twitter.com/nqaarVRJh5
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 17, 2017
The Penguins have recalled defensemen Cameron Gaunce and Steve Oleksy from their American Hockey League affiliate team- the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Gaunce has 13 points (two goals, 11 assists) in 47 games played. Oleksy has five points (one goal, four assists) in 14 games played. With Maatta most likely heading to the injured reserve list, one of these two will be staying for a while. With his timetable for return- Maatta will not be returning until late March/early April.
In 54 games played this season, Maatta has netted a single goal and has added six assists for a total of seven points. This season has not been the best thus far for Maatta, with his play following a roller-coaster type ride, up and down and struggling to find consistency. And on top of it all, this hand injury does not help him. The good news is, is tht the surgery went well and Maatta should be back in time for the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Maatta, 22, has had a terrible history of injuries including several shoulder surgeries, thyroid cancer, mumps, and now this hand injury, which have all occurred over a four season (219 game) time-span.
The Pens take on the Columbus Blue Jackets Friday night in what is a Metropolitan Division heavy weight tilt.
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