Expectations of Maata year 2

[offsides]

Maata is going to be a free agent in 3-4 years. We should be open to trading him. It's just smart asset management.

I wouldn't mind trading you.

And just who would take this asset? Also the replacement may be even worse.

[Pitts]

M-A-A-T-T-A

What's a maatta with you? All spelling and yelling and stuff!

[Pitts]

Maata is going to be a free agent in 3-4 years. We should be open to trading him. It's just smart asset management.

Plus he's 19, in two years he's going to be old and on the decline. Might as well get him for some young unproven talent now.

Maybe we can sign a mid 30's guy to an extension till he's into his 40's even though he will soon be on the decline and he's never helped us win a damn thing.

Realistically, we'd want to sign a veteran defenseman about 35 1/2 years old to a 6-8 year deal and have him get injured very early in his first season. Think of all the LTIR cap room we'd get every season!

[Steve]

Maata is going to be a free agent in 3-4 years. We should be open to trading him. It's just smart asset management.

I wouldn't mind trading you.

Before you trade him you should bring up another poster from the minors to see if he can fill his slot in the line up.

True. Maybe Godric is ready for a tryout contract.

He met the sun. He's out.

[100565]

He was unique as a rookie defenseman mostly due to his calm, cool, collective playing style. However, as he gets more experience those qualities are no longer unique - but expected.

As far as his tangible skills, they certainly are nhl quality...just not #1 d-man quality.

As someone indicated, year 2, new coach, new system, and no training camp are reasons for concern.

[columbia]

I'm not concerned; he'll be fine in the playoffs.

[IMFC]

As someone indicated, year 2, new coach, new system, and no training camp are reasons for concern

an adjustment period.

[Rocco]

I expect him to be Nicklas Lidstrom only 30% more awesome. I think that's reasonable.

[Bioshock]

Yeah, He's mediocre at best. Should trade him now or we'll regret it later.

No more than a 3 ot 4 defenseman who was drafted in the 1st round, was a top 10 talent in said draft and essentially forced his way onto the NHL roster a year earlier than even the talent evaluators suggested.

Spoiler:

Do you even listen to yourself?

[the wicked child]

I expect him to struggle early on. Between coming off of shoulder surgery, new coaching staff, new partner... will surely be an adjustment period.

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Nothing really Maattaaaaaass

[Kovy27]

Assuming Maata returns from injury without any lingering symptoms, how does he perform this year?
I think he will struggle a bit. At his best, I see him as a #3-#4 type defenseman in the league, but he will not perform to that level this year.

To me, many fans have much higher expectations. Many fans will wish the Pens had traded him while his value was at the highest.

Yep. We should have traded him. lololol.

My Expectation is that you will learn how to spell his name correctly.

[Kovy27]

He was unique as a rookie defenseman mostly due to his calm, cool, collective playing style. However, as he gets more experience those qualities are no longer unique - but expected.

As far as his tangible skills, they certainly are nhl quality...just not #1 d-man quality.

As someone indicated, year 2, new coach, new system, and no training camp are reasons for concern.

He's 19 years old...NINETEEN.

[pcm]

Just for comparison, this kind of maturity is what we're still talking about hoping Letang develops into fully. And he's 27. So we've got a good 8 years or so before Maatta's poise goes from unique to "expected."

[DesertPenguin]

I'd be very happy with seeing the same level of play as last year, coupled with the physical and mental endurance to maintain it late into the season and the playoffs. It's also worth noting that while returning from injury will be a major challenge, the time off at the beginning of e season while he rehabs will at least help in that regard.

Maatta has the intangible poise and hockey smarts that some players never achieve. I believe as he further matures physically, it will allow him to become a more dynamic player. We won't see a breakout season, because he has already broken out, but I think we will see consistent improvement in his game across the board.

[mikey287]

Just for comparison, this kind of maturity is what we're still talking about hoping Letang develops into fully. And he's 27. So we've got a good 8 years or so before Maatta's poise goes from unique to "expected."

Of course, it doesn't work like that. Different skill sets should yield different expectations, development curves.

[Great58]

Sure, there may be an adjustment period coming off surgery into a new system and new coach, but I tend to think these changes are more likely to benefit his game than hinder him. So more of the same plus more consistency throughout the season's lenght.

[pcm]

Just for comparison, this kind of maturity is what we're still talking about hoping Letang develops into fully. And he's 27. So we've got a good 8 years or so before Maatta's poise goes from unique to "expected."

Of course, it doesn't work like that. Different skill sets should yield different expectations, development curves.

Of course, and performance creates new expectations. My "8 years" comment was tongue in cheek. Mostly meant to spotlight just how unique Maatta's poise was as a 19 year old.

[columbia]

The sky's the limit.

[slipshod]

I think he will perform better because 1) I expect that the coaching will be better which can only help and 2) he does have room to mature. A lot of it. I don't think he is closer to his ceiling, I think his ceiling is higher. He had moments of indecisiveness and panic last year. Plenty of room to be even better. I don't see a sophomore slump with this kid.

[100565]

Yeah, He's mediocre at best. Should trade him now or we'll regret it later.

No more than a 3 ot 4 defenseman who was drafted in the 1st round, was a top 10 talent in said draft and essentially forced his way onto the NHL roster a year earlier than even the talent evaluators suggested.

This is along the lines of what a lot of people I talk to seem to think. 1st rounder...made team as rookie...played very well...blah blah blah. These people seem to think he will be a #1 or #2 d man in this league. I did not see that.

I agree he had an incredible rookie season, but I look for him to struggle at times this season. I was hoping for some reasonable input on the topic. I guess some people have enough free time to take the time to post...

[quote="Kovy27
Yep. We should have traded him. lololol.

My Expectation is that you will learn how to spell his name correctly.[/quote]

...good for you.

[DocEmrick]

15g - 38a

[MalkinIsMyHomeboy]

Lidstrom 2.0 or bust

[bh]

Nothing really Maattaaaaaass

Any one can see...

Spoiler:

[Trip McNeely]

People talk about asset management. How does trading an excellent 19 defenseman seem like proper asset management? Should we trade him for two 16 year olds to get younger.