LD Juuso Valimaki (2017, 16th, CAL)

[Artorius Horus T]

Crazy 4 and a half minutes for Everett, scores 3 goals in less than 5 minutes, gets from 5-2 down to 5-5 in 3rd
wins the game in OT, Välimäki's season ends.

Crazy good last 5 games for Välimäki thou, 13 pts.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Very underrated hockey player. I think he'll be in the NHL next season.

 

[madmike77]

Very underrated hockey player. I think he'll be in the NHL next season.

He'd have a better chance if the Flames didn't have a logjam at D. Anderson is also ready for the NHL now and there's no spot for him.

The Flames HAVE to trade at least one Dman this offseason to make some room.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Reminds me of Gio. Big, strong guy, defends well and has skill too.

 

[DatDude44]

valimaki-Andersson 3rd pair?

 

[Phenomenon]

How do you see Juuso's chances in NHL next season? Directly to Flames roster or AHL?

 

[CgyFlamesftw]

How do you see Juuso's chances in NHL next season? Directly to Flames roster or AHL?

He will turn pro and play in the AHL. Valimaki is below Andersson on the depth charts, who also is underrated around here.

 

[Captain Clutch]

Unless he absolutely lights it up in training camp, he’s looking at a full year in the A. That’s probably for the best anyway, I know hw dominated out west last year but playing against men is vey different.

 

[cowgirlcath]

Excited to watch his development in the AHL. Think he could be a fixture on the top 2 in Stockton by December, he's better than Kylington already from what I've seen.

 

[JJTT]

Seems like he made the Flames roster if they are going with 8D and 13F.

 

[HighLifeMan]

 

[DJJones]

Pumped for him. Impressive he jumped over andersson. I wonder of that was pure skill or LD/RD related

 

[Volica]

I wanted to bump this thread earlier today.
What a beauty this kid.

One of the top defensive prospects league wide. Just had a fantastic preseason showing where he played a tonne of minutes, put up a bunch of points, lots of shots on net... Very happy for Juuso. Helluva kid.

 

[GeeoffBrown]

I wanted to bump this thread earlier today.
What a beauty this kid.

One of the top defensive prospects league wide. Just had a fantastic preseason showing where he played a tonne of minutes, put up a bunch of points, lots of shots on net... Very happy for Juuso. Helluva kid.

I particularly love that he made the NHL before Olli Juolevi

 

[Deam78]

Always been a fan, really happy so see the great news!

I wanted the Jets to draft him but our pick ended up in Vegas and we ended up with Vesalainen which is more than fine. Wishing good luck to Valimaki for his rookie season!

 

[DoubleGold]

Awesome news, so happy for him!

 

[Volica]

I particularly love that he made the NHL before Olli Juolevi

I'm honestly remembering the Liljegren v Valimaki v Brannstrom v Foote debate on this forum. Excited to see how Valimaki handles NHL minutes, we know for sure two of those 4 will be in the AHL this year.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

Apparently Friedman was saying Valimaki is highly regarded around the NHL

Not surprise though. He reminds me of Gio but obviously with lots to learn.

 

[Volica]

Apparently Friedman was saying Valimaki is highly regarded around the NHL

Not surprise though. He reminds me of Gio but obviously with lots to learn.

Yeah. He mentioned that every Tre trade he was trying to setup last year, involved Juuso.
This guy's the real deal. Making an NHL camp with a deep defense as a 19 year old is impressive as hell. The best part is, they haven't been shielding him at all. He's been playing 20+ minutes a night (normally) with SH time and no PP.

Flames have themselves one HELL of a Dman here. The thought of having Hanifin, Valimaki and Andersson on the top 4 for the next decade+ is comforting.

 

[HighLifeMan]

Valimaki will wear #8 this season.

 

[Gritty]

Good for him! He had an impressive preseason and his skill/poise was quite evident. Definitely nice seeing the Flames add two more highly skilled youngsters to their already young lineup in Valimaki and Dube!

 

[Volica]

Good for him! He had an impressive preseason and his skill/poise was quite evident. Definitely nice seeing the Flames add two more highly skilled youngsters to their already young lineup in Valimaki and Dube!

Far cry from the days where the job up for grabs was the 13th forward, and it was a bunch of 25 year old vying for it.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I wouldn’t rule out that he could be the best defenseman from the 2017 draft.

 

[King In The North]

I wouldn’t rule out that he could be the best defenseman from the 2017 draft.

Oof, even for me that's quite a statement for a class including Makar and Heiskenen.

 

[traffic cone]

Oof, even for me that's quite a statement for a class including Makar and Heiskenen.

Valimaki has the clear size advantage on both of those guys. That's something that isn't going to change.

The game is different - yes - and size isn't nearly as big of a factor as it used to be. Still, size translates into potential in a way, as you can always improve your understanding of the game (theoretically at least), puck skills, skating etc. but you can't buy more size.

And development curve isn't linear. Valimaki could very well end up being better than those guys. Although that seems unlikely at the moment.

But based on all those things, I know very well there's a chance for that.