What am I missing Matta, is a +61 for his career and a +21 in the playoffs. This tells me they are drafting a Center with their 1st pick!

What am I missing Matta, is a +61 for his career and a +21 in the playoffs. This tells me they are drafting a Center with their 1st pick!
- DaHawks64

Maata's better than most Pens fans understand. He's not "slow". He's a solid skater. He just doesn't have that first quick step. It's honestly his only real weakness. But, on a Pens team who were all pushing north and forgetting to bring the F3 high in the zone to help the Dmen, that initial step stood out BIG time last season.

Basically, if he's looking up ice and someone turns it over, he just doesn't react in time to that quick transition. And, the Pens are constantly making those turnovers at the absolute wrong time.

He'll be fine in the future.

Maata's better than most Pens fans understand. He's not "slow". He's a solid skater. He just doesn't have that first quick step. It's honestly his only real weakness. But, on a Pens team who were all pushing north and forgetting to bring the F3 high in the zone to help the Dmen, that initial step stood out BIG time last season.

Basically, if he's looking up ice and someone turns it over, he just doesn't react in time to that quick transition. And, the Pens are constantly making those turnovers at the absolute wrong time.

He'll be fine in the future.
- cranktheradio

Thanks for posting this observation - this is helpful to know as I try to make sense of why the Hawks made a move to pick him up.

Finally the Maatta to Habs talk I’ve been hearing can go away ... thank god he went to Chicago!

So now they have the left handed version of Connor Murphy.

Seems like a good trade for the Hawks. Watching Maatta as a Flyers fan, I liked the kid.

Ok so Kessel for Subban is happening then, aside from maybe Letang and Shultz it's pretty much some stay at home guys.

Too bad he didn’t just retire before Bowman decided to trade for his slow ass.
- Ogilthorpe2

Well, his instinct and ability to read the play will very often make up for his slowness. And he does drive play and have great passing ability, so not a useless anchor.

Maata's better than most Pens fans understand. He's not "slow". He's a solid skater. He just doesn't have that first quick step. It's honestly his only real weakness. But, on a Pens team who were all pushing north and forgetting to bring the F3 high in the zone to help the Dmen, that initial step stood out BIG time last season.

Basically, if he's looking up ice and someone turns it over, he just doesn't react in time to that quick transition. And, the Pens are constantly making those turnovers at the absolute wrong time.

He'll be fine in the future.
- cranktheradio

Nah... he is slow. That isn't a debate. He also reads and anticipates amazingly well to make up for that.