Report: Pens’ Defenseman Olli Maatta Has Shoulder Surgery

May 13, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta (3) shoots the puck against the New York Rangers during the second period in game seven of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Rangers won 2-1 and took the series 4 games to 3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Penguins’ defenseman Olli Maatta reportedly underwent shoulder surgery Thursday, and will be out the next 4-6 months – according to the Pens’ Twitter handle and website.

Maatta, 19, is now the second first-round pick of the Pens in 2012 that needed a shoulder operation. Prospect defenseman Derrick Pouliot underwent shoulder surgery Wednesday.

This is unfortunate news for Pittsburgh, who just seem to be receiving bad information by the minute. Hopefully, Maatta’s timetable doesn’t derail him, and he can return at the start of next season, because if he can’t, Pittsburgh’s defense will look extremely thin.

Making the team at the start of the season – in part due to Kris Letang’s early injury – Maatta remained in the pros, and exceeded every expectation. Earning a spot on Team Finland for the Winter Games and performing in all but four tilts for Pittsburgh, Maatta was durable, and surprisingly poised for a teenager.

Finishing with 29 points (9G, 20A) and skating to a plus-8 rating, Maatta ranked third amongst rookie defensemen and second on the team to Matt Niskanen in defensive scoring.