LD Juuso Valimaki (2017, 16th, CAL)

[TheTechNoir]

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

This was my belief (well Valimaki or Hague were my top-2 D picks) the summer before the draft when I literally did not see one single individual not pick Lilljegren as first overall, or possibly if one or two ppl had some one else first, no one had another D going above him.

It's still a long way to go, and I also didn't follow Makar or Heiskenen at that point in time beyond just seeing a couple of clips or write-ups. But I'm glad to see that both seem to be impressing.

 

[lawrence]

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

nope, don't think he will be at the level of Cale or Miro.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Had some good tools on display when he had the puck, but looks like he could use a year in the AHL to round out his game.

 

[Flamesfan62]

Had some good tools on display when he had the puck, but looks like he could use a year in the AHL to round out his game.

It was one game.

 

[Captain Clutch]

The rubber hits the road when GMs have to decide whether or not to burn a year on the guy's ELC. Valimaki and many others are on the bubble still due to injuries and roster burndowns. Others like Terry & Comtois in Anaheim would be in the AHL were it not for the swarm of injuries and Nick Ritchie's ill advised holdout. It will be interesting to see who is still around in November......

 

[Volica]

Calgary will run an all-rookie pairing of Juuso Valimaki and Rasmus Andersson this evening.
After struggling a bit in game 1 of the season, Valimaki looked really impressive in game 2. Confident, had 2 great scoring chances and played an up-tempo game.

This kid will only get better. Very exciting to see his progress game by game.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Scored his 1st NHL goal tonight.


Very poised for a freshly 20 year old. Like that he shoots and pinches on everything. Skating and his outlets from the defensive zone have been terrific as well.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

Scored his 1st NHL goal tonight.


Very poised for a freshly 20 year old. Like that he shoots and pinches on everything. Skating and his outlets from the defensive zone have been terrific as well.

Yeah I don't think Treliving is concerned at all about burning the first year of his ELC early. He's earned a spot unless something changes dramatically.

 

[Lepardi]

Scored his 1st NHL goal tonight.

It's a pity he had to score it on another Ilves guy who's even a part of the team ownership. I would have preferred any other goalie in the league.

 

[Volica]

It's a pity he had to score it on another Ilves guy who's even a part of the team ownership. I would have preferred any other goalie in the league.

He even joked about it being against a Finn in the first period intermission.

I like this kid a lot. He is showing maturity well beyond his age. It's crazy to think he just turned 20. The guy's NHL caliber; he's improving game in and out. He's playing as Calgary's 5D; getting SH team. Confidence, poise, skating and IQ; not sure there's anything you kind of pass up on when trying to blueprint an elite defender in the making.

Safe to say, Calgary's backend is safe for the next 10 years; with him, Rasmus and Noah all being under 21 years old.

 

[Lepardi]

He even joked about it being against a Finn in the first period intermission.

They'll have something to talk about when they meet each other at an Ilves soccer match in Tammela next summer. Rask is often seen there and I hope Välimäki supports his colors 12 months a year too.

 

[SmellOfVictory]

He even joked about it being against a Finn in the first period intermission.

I like this kid a lot. He is showing maturity well beyond his age. It's crazy to think he just turned 20. The guy's NHL caliber; he's improving game in and out. He's playing as Calgary's 5D; getting SH team. Confidence, poise, skating and IQ; not sure there's anything you kind of pass up on when trying to blueprint an elite defender in the making.

Safe to say, Calgary's backend is safe for the next 10 years; with him, Rasmus and Noah all being under 21 years old.

I'm nitpicking, but Ras and Hanifin are both turning 22 this season.

 

[DFF]

I'm nitpicking, but Ras and Hanifin are both turning 22 this season.

 

[Dack]

After game 1 he's settled down and been very calm and poised out there.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

nope, don't think he will be at the level of Cale or Miro.

Honestly I wouldn’t trade Valimaki for Miro. He’s step up on Cale as well.

 

[Kahvi]

Sometimes last season, maybe after 2017 training camp Välimäki said his goal is to make Flames '18-'19 team. I said that I really like his attitude, as Finns usually just act humble and have this "I'll do my best and let's see how far it's takes me", but he's a long way from NHL. Happy to be wrong, and I still like his attitude

 

[izzy]

Honestly I wouldn’t trade Valimaki for Miro.

sorry, but thats just ridiculous

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

sorry, but thats just ridiculous

Okay..

 

[Flameshomer]

sorry, but thats just ridiculous

? He's looked less good than Vali has to start this season, and is quite a bit more slight in stature. He could end up being better than Valimaki but at this point I think vali is playing better.
Both great players, I don't know why wanting to keep one is ridiculous.

 

[Wings4Life]

? He's looked less good than Vali has to start this season, and is quite a bit more slight in stature. He could end up being better than Valimaki but at this point I think vali is playing better.
Both great players, I don't know why wanting to keep one is ridiculous.

Heiskanen is a clearly better prospect, and younger as well. It's not really all that close.

 

[Flameshomer]

Heiskanen is a clearly better prospect, and younger as well. It's not really all that close.

Why exactly? What makes him a better prospect, especially "clearly".

Looking at their overall point totals year by year since back in Finland U16, their stats are pretty much identical in the corresponding seasons.
Heskainen is 9 months younger, but Valimaki is ~40 lbs heavier and 3 inches taller.

One played in the Dub and one stayed in Finland, that's the only difference I can see. So doing well in the finish league catapults him to clearly better prospect status even though Valimaki dominated the dub and captained the international squad?

I disagree but look forward to your reply.

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Why exactly? What makes him a better prospect, especially "clearly".

Looking at their overall point totals year by year since back in Finland U16, their stats are pretty much identical in the corresponding seasons.
Heskainen is 9 months younger, but Valimaki is ~40 lbs heavier and 3 inches taller.

One played in the Dub and one stayed in Finland, that's the only difference I can see. So doing well in the finish league catapults him to clearly better prospect status even though Valimaki dominated the dub and captained the international squad?

I disagree but look forward to your reply.

Heiskanen didn't just do well in Liiga, he was the best defender there. Välimäki has the size advantage, but Heiskanen's skating and IQ make up for it and then some. I like them both, but Heiskanen is the better player.

 

[grentthealien]

Outsider here in peace. What is the general feeling around here will he get more than 9 games?

 

[WhatWhat]

Heiskanen is a clearly better prospect, and younger as well. It's not really all that close.

Also Miro has been stupidly good for Dallas so far. He has been everything as advertised. He only has 1 point right now because Gibson is a cheat code and our forwards outside of the top line cant score. There is a reason why after 6 games he is only 4 minutes shy of Klingberg at ES

 

[DJJones]

Outsider here in peace. What is the general feeling around here will he get more than 9 games?

I think his year is gone anyway. 9 games means nothing.

If he plays 41 games he loses a year of RFA... maybe... I'm terrible with that stuff. I might be remembering a different player even.