Olli Maatta to miss six weeks after having hand surgery

Pittsburgh Penguins' Olli Maatta (3) celebrates his goal in the first period of an NHL hockey game (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

Sportsnet Staff February 17, 2017, 11:01 AM

The Pittsburgh Penguins are expecting to be without defenceman Olli Maatta for six weeks after he underwent 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 22-year-old left Thursday’s game after playing just 7:38 and did not return.

Maatta, drafted 22nd overall in 2012, has struggled with injuries through his young NHL career and has not played 70 games in a season since playing 78 in his rookie season.

Saw @CapFriendly floating interesting #pens option with Maatta — place his $4M on LTIR, acquire a player and activate Olli for playoffs.

— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) February 17, 2017

This season, Maatta has seven points in 54 games and is averaging 18:01 of ice time per game, including 2:21 on the penalty-kill, second-most among Penguins blueliners.

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