They also don't do a lot of drafting from the WHL. Which is really sort of weird, since Ken Holland was a WHL scout coming up.
LD Juuso Valimaki (2017, 16th, CAL)
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hradekbr
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- Apr 19, 2017
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Detroit does everything in their power though to not strike out in the first round. Its always been a staple of theirs. I agree they will probably take Liljegren due to upside if they were to pick between the two, but Valimaki fits a role the Red Wings desperately need
BB88
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Hmm, didn't even know about that, why do some avoid certain leagues like that?
Detroit needs to rebuild their entire defense, so yes Valimaki would be a great addition, but again I think they want to go for higher ceiling.
Which on defense would be more like Liljegren.
bobermay
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The Norris Division
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Stats don't tell the whole story. Välimäki is good but Provorov was on a different level when he played in the WHL.
Valimaki is a '98 born kid in a '99 born draft year because of his late-birthday. His proper draft year was 2016.
At 17 Provorov had 61 points in 60 games and Valimaki had 32 points in 56 games.
So their draft-year stats really aren't that comparable.
But Valimaki is really good now, as opposed to how he wasn't really good last year,
bobermay
Registered User
Yeah, a 2 month gap in age in regards to their draft years is a HUGE difference...
Valimaki was born in Oct. Provorov was born in Jan. 2 weeks earlier and Provorov would have been a "late birthday" as well. They are just 3 months apart. Provorov was well past 17 when he played his first CHL game. Valimaki was still just 16 when he played his first CHL game. Valimaki was also trying to adjust to NA ice and style of play in his first CHL year. It makes more sense to compare draft years than 1st CHL years.
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leaflover
Stanley Cup 2022
I've watched enough of both to conclude Valimaki isn't quite on the same level as Provorov. Seemed like Provorov was somewhat underappreciated for what he was doing in the WHL post draft, by fans at least.
Valimaki is a terrific prospect though.
Valimaki is a terrific prospect though.
covfefe
Zoltan Poszar's Burner
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Välimäki is nowhere near the player Provorov was at the same point in their development. There is no argument to be had here. He isn't close in terms of IQ, poise, positional play, edgework, and on the defensive side you're having a laugh..
Provorov went 7th in a much stronger crop and looked excellent last season playing heavy minutes as a 19/20 year old. Hopefully some Brandon fans are reading this thread and can chime in..you are comparing an elite player to a good player
theIceWookie
#LeafHysteriaAlert
Except that they are comparable. Valimaki and Provorov both turned 18 in their draft year. Provorov just had two more months of being 17. That is not a huge difference.
Valimaki's proper draft year...is 2017. The year he's being drafted in lol. Otherwise he would have been drafted last year.
Their season's are comparable. The only real argument one could have is to say the Provorov's rookie year in the WHL, after he moved from the WHL. So he had to adjust league's, where Valimaki had a year in the WHL already (his 16 year old year, where Provorov's 16 year old year was in the USHL).
Ace
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- Oct 29, 2015
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His proper draft year was...
what?
What?
What in the world is going on in this post?
Difference in months doesn't matter, difference in years is what matters.
Valimaki has played with '98 born kids his whole hockey career. The only reason he's in the '99 born draft year is because he was born late in the year. In other words, he was born in the same year as the 2016 draftees, but is being drafted in 2017. His 18 year old production should be compared to what other 2016 drafted D are doing, not what 17 year old 2017 drafted D are producing.
This is why Valimaki isn't even considered close to a prospect like Provorov.
Valimaki has played with '98 born kids his whole hockey career. The only reason he's in the '99 born draft year is because he was born late in the year. In other words, he was born in the same year as the 2016 draftees, but is being drafted in 2017. His 18 year old production should be compared to what other 2016 drafted D are doing, not what 17 year old 2017 drafted D are producing.
This is why Valimaki isn't even considered close to a prospect like Provorov.
McMozesmadness
5-14-6-1
Big fan of Valimaki. He is a horse. I could see him being a 25 minute a night type. Nothing dynamic about his game, but he literally does everything well.
He reminds me of current Klefbom, Klef is a better skater though, although I could see Jusso getting to that level.
He reminds me of current Klefbom, Klef is a better skater though, although I could see Jusso getting to that level.
I agree that they are comparable, but for anyone who's seen them play. It's not even a fair fight because Provorov is better in EVERY single regard.
Good comparison, I would add is that Klefblom is better defensively, while Valimaki is better offensively. Though both of them are similar in all facets.
bobermay
Registered User
In games I saw Provorov in junior (primarily last year's Memorial Cup), I was left underwhelmed by Provorov's play to be honest with you...
To be fair that entire squad laid a giant turd in the Mem Cup. They completely imploded.
bobermay
Registered User
Okay, thanks for clarifying. I'll be honest and admit I haven't seen much of Valimaki and very limited viewings of Provorov... but statistically they do match up.
BB88
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Provorov was born in January, so he was one of the older prospects in his draft.
Age matters and need to be considered, like Valimaki vs Heiskanen, but he should be compared to 2017 picks.
Not saying he's on Provorov level.
