Red Wings extend Olli Maatta, NHLPA has new boss, and more
The Daily Goal Horn
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Detroit Red Wings defenseman Olli Maatta agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract extension on Thursday.
Maatta, 28, has totaled 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) and a plus-5 rating in 49 games this season. He signed a one-year, $2.25 million contract with Detroit in July.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh, Maatta has 107 points (25 goals, 82 assists) in 362 career games with the Penguins (2013-19), Chicago Blackhawks (2019-20), Los Angeles Kings (2020-22) and Red Wings.
Maatta was selected by Pittsburgh with the 22nd overall pick of the 2012 NHL Draft.
NHLPA officially names new executive director
On Thursday, the NHLPA officially announced named former Labor Secretary Marty Walsh’s their new executive director.
Walsh, 55, the former two-term mayor of Boston, would succeed Donald Fehr. A search committee was formed last April to find a successor for Fehr, who joined the NHLPA in December 2010.
“I am honored to have been selected as the Executive Director of the NHLPA,” Walsh said. “In accepting this offer I am committing to do all that I can to advocate on players’ behalf. My years of experience in the labor movement and in public life has taught me that the job is never about me. It’s about us. It’s about the people we serve. So I look forward to working with players and the NHLPA staff to make the NHLPA the best and most effective team we can be to advance and protect the interests of our players and their families.”
NHL.com
He was presented to the 32-member executive board two weeks in Miami, which approved the hire and began salary negotiations, per multiple reports. He’s expected to earn roughly $3 million annually and be headquartered in Boston.
Brandon Saad on IR
St. Louis Blues forward Brandon Saad was placed on injured reserve Thursday because of an upper-body injury.
Saad sustained the injury during the second period of St. Louis’ 6-2 win against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.
“We’re going to have to see how he feels day to day,” Blues coach Craig Berube said.
Saad, 30, has recorded 22 points (15 goals, seven assists) in 46 games this season.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner with Chicago, Saad has totaled 442 points (223 goals, 219 assists) in 756 career games with the Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche and Blues.
Also on Thursday, the Blues recalled forward Jake Neighbours from Springfield of the American Hockey League.
Neighbours, 20, has eight points (four goals, four assists) in 27 games with St. Louis this season.
Carl Hagelin out for the season
Washington Capitals forward Carl Hagelin underwent hip resurfacing surgery this week, at least the second hip procedure in the last four months.
The team said Thursday that Hagelin had the surgery Monday and will begin his “lengthy recovery process immediately.” He remains out indefinitely.
Hagelin had arthroscopic surgery to address the chronic hip injury back in early October. He has not played at all this season.
Hagelin’s 2021-22 season was cut short when he took a stick to his left eye during practice in early March, leading to multiple surgeries to repair his vision.
Hagelin, 34, returned to participate in optional skates ahead of Washington’s training camp but never practiced due to the hip injury.
Hagelin finished last season with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 53 games.
A two-time Stanley Cup winner, Hagelin has 296 points (110 goals, 186 assists) in 713 career games with five teams. He played for the New York Rangers (2011-15), Anaheim Ducks (2015-16), Pittsburgh Penguins (2016-18), Los Angeles Kings (2018-19) and Caps, who traded for him in February 2019.
–Field Level Media
–The Daily Goal Horn contributed to this article