Yahoo Sport 
Olli Maatta’s terrible, horrible, no good, very bad season likely over
Here is what Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maata has had to deal with over the last three months: the removal of a malignant tumor, mumps, re-injuring a surgically repaired shoulder.
So, yeah, it’s been quite a season to forget for the 20-year old Finn. Despite all that, he managed to play 20 games for the Penguins, scoring one goal and recording nine points after a breakout rookie year in 2013-14.
Now it appears Maatta will be putting his nightmare sophomore season behind him after this latest shoulder injury.
Although nothing likely will be finalized for a day or two, Maatta is expected to be sidelined until the 2015-16 season and “probably” will undergo shoulder surgery, according to a source familiar with his situation.
Penguins officials declined to discuss Maatta’s status Monday night.
The Pens Blog first reported last month that Maatta’s shoulder issue could be worse than originally believed. According to both the Post-Gazette and Tribune-Review, doctors will discuss whether or not he'll require surgery in the next few days.
This is where the Penguins' organizational depth on defense will come in handy, and also quiet those Paul Martin trade rumors. Maatta averaged 20 minutes a night and now the likes of Simon Despres, Derrick Pouliot and Scott Harrington will see their responsibilities increase in his absence. It will also give GM Jim Rutherford a chance to evaluate whether or not he wants to take the current defense corps into the playoffs or make an upgrade.
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Sean Leahy is the associate editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Sean_Leahy
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