Detroit — When the Red Wings signed defenseman Olli Maatta on the first day of free agency in July, they were expecting a steady defensive defenseman who could help solidify what had been a struggling position for the Wings the past several seasons.
Whatever offense Maatta could provide would be a bonus.
Through five games, it’s been quite the bonus.
Maatta has been averaging a point per game, with five points (one goal, four assists), as he has paid early dividends on both sides of the ice.
“Everyone is playing well,” said Maatta, explaining why the Wings have had success along with his own offensive contributions. “Our forwards are playing well, doing a great job both ways, and the defensemen are joining the rush. But at the same time, we’re defending as a five (man unit) and that’s our strength.
“When we play in our structure, good things happen.”
Maatta has never been a prolific point producer, but he did reach 29 points twice early in his career with Pittsburgh. Upon joining the Wings, Maatta said one of his goals was to put up a bit more offense, and so far he has.
“You work on it all the time, just things you can do on the blue line,” Maatta said. “It’s not necessarily those fancy plays, but it’s just the play that happen 10 or 15 times a game, and you have to be good at it. When you make those plays, our forwards can get the puck with speed and we can play offense and good things happen that way.”
Making those simple plays, and doing them effectively and efficiently, coach Derek Lalonde said, has led to Maatta’s early-season offense.
“It’s great to get offense from the defense, but Olli’s points have been simple points,” Lalonde said. “He’s done the right thing out of our zone. Being simple and predictable, and right now it’s ending up in the back of the net, which is a good thing.
“We’ll go through stretches where we’ll do the same things and not produce points. But I’m glad (about the contributions), because it kind of reflects on the entire team. He’s getting rewarded offensively, but he’s doing good through everywhere (on the ice).”
More: How special teams’ resurgence is keying Red Wings’ early success
Maatta isn’t surprised by the Wings’ fine start. Maatta felt the seeds were sewn during training camp, and built from there.
“Our training camp was awesome,” Maatta said. “That helped us a lot. Just starting the season the right way, the attitude and hunger in this group, the compete level in practice even is real big, and it shows on the ice.
“Even the game in Chicago, and it didn’t go our way and we blew a 3-1 lead, but our compete and how much the guys wanted it shows how much it’ll get better.”
Not superstitious
So many hockey coaches and players are the superstitious sort, and will do anything and everything to help keep a positive streak alive.
Lalonde insists he isn’t the superstitious kind of guy. But, then again …
“I don’t like playing Jordan Oesterle in the first five games, I don’t think there’s very much separation from him and some of our other defensemen, but we’re just in a situation where we’re winning, and that’s a perfect example,” said Lalonde, noting most lineups don’t get changed during a win streak. “So, no (not superstitious), but then we spent 25 minutes in there deciding whether or not to put Jordan Oesterle in, but we’re winning, so let’s not.
“As far as superstitions and routes to the rink, how I dress? I have had the same sweater the entire time (during this five-game point streak to open the season) but you’ll see that through a five-game losing streak, too. Again, it’s lack of depth in my wardrobe.”
Lalonde, who is living alone (his family remains in Florida for the time being), has yet to wash the sweater.
“It’s on the same corner spot of my couch,” Lalonde said. “My wife would not be very impressed.”
ted.kulfan@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @tkulfan