Maatta finding his game, confidence since joining Flames

Calgary Flames C Morgan Frost, right, celebrates with Matvei Gridin and fans his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Saturday, March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Larry MacDougal

CALGARY — It has been a staggering turnaround for veteran defenceman Olli Maatta.

The resurgent 31-year-old Finn had two more points Saturday, including the game-winning goal to lead the Calgary Flames to a 7-3 romp over the Vancouver Canucks.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” said Maatta, who was part of the return when Calgary dealt MacKenzie Weegar to Utah. “A lot of responsibility, playing a lot, that’s what you want, and teammates here, the whole organization made it very seamless the whole transition.”

When Maatta was acquired on March 4 as part of the return for Weegar, it looked more like a salary dump by the Mammoth.

A healthy scratch for 21 consecutive games at one point, he had only dressed for 22 games during which he had just one assist.

Maatta has looked rejuvenated with his new club piling up 10 points (two goals, 10 assists) in 12 games. Since waiving his no-trade clause to come to Calgary, he’s led the team in points.

“It’s not always easy coming into a new team, but I felt like I didn’t miss a beat,” said Maatta, in year one of a three-year, $10.5-million contract. “Since day one, I felt like I was part of the team and it’s been good. We’ve got a good thing going on here, so let’s just keep that going.”

Tasked with taking on a bigger role, Maatta has embraced the top-four opportunity he’s received while erupting offensively.

“I take pride of defending, for sure, it’s a big thing, but nowadays you have to have offence. I know I’ve always had it in me and that’s something I’ve been working on getting more and more in my game.”

Calgary coach Ryan Huska has been impressed with what he’s seen.

“He’s playing free. That’s the one thing with him. He came over and he wanted a fresh start,” said the Flames bench boss. “He wanted to have an opportunity to play a little bit more and he’s got that here, and I think he’s really enjoying it.”

While the left-shooting Maatta has rediscovered his own game, he’s also proving to be an invaluable piece when it comes to helping the club’s younger defencemen elevate their game like rookie right-shot defencemen Zayne Parekh, 20, and Hunter Brzustewicz, 21.

“He’s showing some of our younger guys how a veteran with two Stanley Cups in his closet goes about his business on a daily basis,” said Huska. “He is a pro, like Michael Backlund and some of our older players, you can see that every day he comes to the rink.”

Parekh, selected ninth overall in 2024, is being counted on to be a future cornerstone on the blue line and it’s starting to come, chalking up his first multi-point game Saturday with a goal and an assist — the goal was beauty, Parekh whipping a shot into the top corner on the power play.

“Lots of skill, and I think the biggest thing is the confidence,” said Maatta. “You have to have that and (Parekh) definitely has it.

“Sometimes, coming in as a young D-man especially, it’s a hard position to play and I think he’s kept his swagger, and you can see that he’s confident, he wants to make plays, he’s making plays, and that’s what’s going to get you better.

“If you start fearing mistakes and not trusting yourself, that’s when you start taking steps back, and he’s obviously shown how good of a player he is and he’s just gonna get better.”

Matt Coronato and Morgan Frost also had big nights for Calgary (31-34-8) with a goal and two assists each. Joel Farabee, Ryan Strome and Adam Klapka also tallied as the Flames finish 5-0-1 on their six-game homestand.

“The guys that have come in post- (trade) deadline have done a really great job and been impact players for us and filled holes,” said Blake Coleman.

Calgary will look to carry its momentum into a difficult six-game road trip that begins Monday against the league-leading Colorado Avalanche.

“Winning is fun, no matter where you are in the standings or what the season looks like,” said Coleman. “I’m a guy that hates to lose, and we’ve got a lot of those guys in here, so we’re gonna fight until the end and just enjoy the ride.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2026.

Darren Haynes, The Canadian Press