According to Puckpedia The Utah Hockey Club acquired defenseman Olli Matta from the Red Wings in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025. This pick was acquired by the now defunct Arizona Coyotes back on February 28th, 2023, when the New York Rangers acquired Patrick Kane and needed a third team to take on salary in which Arizona retained $2.625 million of Kane's money to which the Rangers flipped the pick.
This deal became necessary as Utah Hockey Club was in desperate need of a defenseman after losing their top defenseman Sean Durzi to a long-term injury. Since losing him Utah is 26th in the league in terms of goals against and is sitting with a record of 4-4-2.
Maata, who has been ravaged by injuries throughout his career signed a two year deal with the Detroit Red Wings which was worth $6 million and holds a $3,000,000 cap hit. No salary was retained in this deal and Utah has high hopes that he can help restore their defence core as the Red Wings are moving on from him to help other defensemen find more ice time.
After an ugly 5-3 loss to the Washington Capitals, the New York Rangers are looking to get back on track as they head home to face off against the Ottawa Senators in which the game will take place on Friday November 1st at 7:00 PM eastern at Madison Square Gardens.
Do the Rangers need to make a trade to round out their bottom defense pairing? Let us know in the poll down below and stay tuned to NY Rangers Insider for latest news and updates on the New York Rangers.
POLL | ||
Do the Rangers need to make a trade to round out their bottom defense pairing? | ||
Yes - Too many players | 232 | 39.8 % |
No - Never enough depth and defensemen | 351 | 60.2 % |
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