VANCOUVER, British Columbia — When the Edmonton Oilers played in Pittsburgh on Oct. 24, close friends and Finland natives Olli Maatta and Jussi Jokinen grabbed dinner at one of their favorite spots, Alla Famiglia in Allentown.
Over some of the best Italian food you’ll find in Pittsburgh, Maatta and Jokinen discussed their respective careers, and Jokinen could immediately sense something different in Maatta.
“He’s always been mature for his age,” Jokinen said. “But he had this quiet confidence about him.”
The Penguins have experienced some turbulence this season, but finally, for a welcomed change, it hasn’t involved Maatta, who has overcome a litany of injuries by age 23.