Former Red Wings Player Dealing With Mammoth Disappointment

When the Detroit Red Wings close out the pre-Olympic slate of the NHL schedule against the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday, they’ll be seeing old teammate Olli Maatta.

Just not on the ice.

Maatta, 31, has been a healthy scratch for Utah’s past 21 games. He’s played just four of the Mammoth’s past 41 games. Maatta has one assist and a minus-four rating in 19 games this season.

Me and Olli Maatta, a week before he heads to Milan for the Olympics, no big deal. #tusksup pic.twitter.com/TQmefdXF5s

— Casey Ruff (@CaseyRuff) February 1, 2026

“Of course, the season hasn’t gone as I would have liked,” Maatta told Finnish website Ilta-Sanomat. “We’ve just been playing so well as a team lately. That’s probably why I haven’t been able to fit into the lineup.”

In the meantime, the former Red Wings defenseman keeps up his work level in practice, awaiting his chance to get back into the action.

“I have tried to turn this situation into a positive one,” Maatta said. “That is, to practice as well as possible.”

Last season, Maatta was a steady performer for the Mammoth. He put up 2-16-18 totals over 70 games, along with a plus-seven rating. He skated 19:55 of ice time per game.

“It’s a first class organization… we got the keys in here to succeed.”

Thrilled to have Olli sign a three-year contract extension with us. 🩵

📰: https://t.co/pxe65ioRAr pic.twitter.com/sNm8qydLBB

— Utah Mammoth (@utahmammoth) March 4, 2025

That level of performance earned Maatta a three-year contract extension with an AAV of $3.5 million,

Former Red Wings Player Heading To Olympics

While many of his teammates will be enjoying some R&R during the Olympic break, Maatta is heading to Cortina, Italy. He is part of Finland’s roster for the Winter Games.

He’s been a reliable performer for the Finns in the past. Maatta has represented his country at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, collecting 2-3-5 totals in six games. Maatta has also represented Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off, World Juniors, World Cup of Hockey, and three IIHF World Championships.

“I am even more excited about going to the Olympics now that this season has not gone as expected,” Maatta said.

Whether he’ll be suffering from rink rust due to his lack of game action could prove an issue.

“Of course, that’s been on my mind too,” Maatta said. But I’ve been working really hard. I’m definitely not in bad shape.”