Utah Mammoth News

Maatta, 20, has been cleared to play until the time of the surgery. Dr. Dharmesh Vyas, the Penguins’ team physician said he will likely be able to return to the lineup within four weeks. “Obviously our first concern is for Olli and his health,” Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said. “He is an outstanding young man and has a tremendous future ahead of him. The doctors tell us that this is a very treatable condition, and that it can be taken care of with the surgery."

Maatta missed the preseason while recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The 20-year-old D-man had a strong rookie campaign posted 29 points (9G / 20A) and a plus-8 rating. He will take on a bigger role this season now that Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen are in Washington. You can expect solid offensive totals with a strong plus/minus rating.

O'Brien had 20 goals, 15 assists and 148 PIMs in 68 games with Rouyn-Noranda (QMJHL) last season. At 6-foot-1, 205 lbs. O'Brien brings size and a physical brand of hockey to the Capitals and he has a legitimate chance at cracking the starting lineup on opening day.

Maatta missed the Penguins' morning skate because of an illness but will play tonight according to the Penguins' official Twitter. Maatta has two assists and a plus-1 rating in 11 playoff games.

Maatta did not take part in the Penguins morning skate in New York earlier today. Maatta was sent back to the Penguins’ hotel upon arriving at MSG on Sunday morning. Several Penguins teammates implied he was not feeling well.Coach Dan Bylsma did not provide an update on Maatta, who has played in all 11 of the Penguins’ playoff games. Team policy is not to divulge details of players’ medical conditions during the playoffs.

Maatta missed the Penguins previous two games, but will return to the blueline tonight vs. Detroit. He will also have Kris Letang on the blueline with him in power-play situations. Maatta has tallied nine goals with 20 assists in 75 games.

Maatta served as a healthy scratch recently, so this could be another case of the Penguins getting their rookie defenseman some rest before the gruelling playoffs start. Consider him day-to-day.

Maatta being scratched is likely not a performance based decision, but simply getting a young defenseman some rest. He has played in 78 games this season (including the Olympics) which is a ton for a first year D-man, especially one playing over 20 minutes on most nights.

Schmidt has appeared in 28 games with the Capitals this season, he has two goals and four assists. In 16 games with Hershey he had seven points (1G / 6A).

“He’s really worked hard in practices,” said Ruff. “In his first game, early on he was OK and as the game went on he got better. He skates well, he shoots the puck well and he knows our system really well. I told him the other day that I am going to play him, so it’s up to him to play well now.” Jamie Oleksiak, who played on defense in Sunday’s game against Edmonton, will be a healthy scratch

Connauton, 23, made his NHL debut with the Stars this season, he played 16:05 with a plus-2 rating. If he draws in tonight it would be just his second NHL game after playing 221 games in the AHL since 2010. In that span he had 33 goals and 55 assists (88 points).

Connauton, 23, has one assist and a minus-4 rating with Texas. He has appeared in one game with Dallas this season, he played 16:06 and was a plus-2. The Stars have placed tough-guy Lane MacDermid in on Waivers to clear room for Connauton.

Connauton will make his NHL debut tonight. He had two goals and four assists in nine games with Texas (AHL).

After his ninth game the Penguins had to decide whether or not to keep Maatta and burn the first year of his entry-level contract or send him back to juniors. "Based on his play, we believe this is the best decision for Olli and the Penguins." Penguins GM Ray Shero said. Maata has one goal and two assists while averaging 15:03 TOI in nine games.

Schmidt is expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow with John Erskine out with an upper-body injury. He has one goal in one game with Hershey.

The 23-year-old was acquired by the Stars with a second-round pick in the 2013 draft from the Vancouver Canucks for forward Derek Roy on April 2, and then sent to the American Hockey League. Connauton split his 2012-13 AHL season between the Chicago Wolves and the Texas Stars. He played 69 total games last season with nine goals and 22 assists.

Schmidt had nine goals and 23 assists in 40 games as a Junior at the University of Minnesota.

Connauton is a strong offensive defenseman who has seven goals and 18 assists in 60 games in the AHL this season.

CC will make way for more "size and speed" according to Hitchcock

Ian Cole has not played for the Blues since March 22.