Among defenseman Olli Määttä's goals when he signed with the Detroit Red Wings was a desire to establish himself as a regular in the NHL.
"I know I have more in me," he said last July. He backed that up by growing his game in his first year with the Wings, and that led to Thursday's announcement he has received a two-year, $6 million extension.
Määttä had been eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. Määttä, 28, had five goals, 12 assists and a plus-five rating after 49 games this season. He has played on the second or third pairing, playing a smart, simple game and taking advantage of jumping up in plays and contributing offensively.