Waived: [UTA] D Juuso Valimaki waived by the Utah Hockey Club

[Nanuuk]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames claimed him. They could use some help at LD and have the cap room.

A free asset that could provide some depth.

 

[Coffee]

He will be claimed.

Your profile picture... it's interesting

 

[Rubi]

The Flames and their fans had high hopes for Valimaki. And then the wheels fell off that wagon...

 

[seafoam]

The "Juice" is loose on Long Island, please.

 

[NinjaTurtle]

I wouldn't be surprised if the Flames claimed him. They could use some help at LD and have the cap room.

A free asset that could provide some depth.

I could see the Flames giving him another shot due to familiarity and lack of depth.

In a perfect world Flames could trade Miromanov for Valimaki. Save Utah a little money and hopefully upgrade their defence.

 

[rt]

He was very good for AZ in his 1st season with them. It’s been all down hill since then. He had a pretty gruesome facial injury - not sure if there’s lingering effects or if it’s coincidence.

 

[Jormungandr]

I could see the Flames giving him another shot due to familiarity and lack of depth.

In a perfect world Flames could trade Miromanov for Valimaki. Save Utah a little money and hopefully upgrade their defence.

Miromanov is not upgrading Utahs defense.

 

[NinjaTurtle]

Miromanov is not upgrading Utahs defense.

Sorry, poor wording. Save Utah money, upgrade Calgary slightly.

 

[Some Other Flame]

The extra year @ 2M makes it very unlikely he's claimed by any organization\

Doubt the Flames want to deal with the headcase anyway

 

[StuckOutHere]

Thought he had kind of found it again after leaving Calgary. What's the story here?

 

[ESH]

The extra year @ 2M makes it very unlikely he's claimed by any organization\

Doubt the Flames want to deal with the headcase anyway

What evidence is there that he’s a head case?

 

[Summer Rose]

Thought he had kind of found it again after leaving Calgary. What's the story here?

The long story short is that he's been derailed by injuries. On one hand I won't miss him on the Utah roster, but it's always sad to see a player's career go south for reasons out of their control.

 

[1989]

I think he's Europe-bound very soon. Too bad, seemed like a good kid with above-average potential.

 

[The Hockey Tonk Man]

Bruins could use a dman & seem to like collecting all the meh first round picks

 

[hirawl]

Lot of worse dmen in the league. Even for the money.

 

[Bizz]

Sharks are gonna need a replacement for Ferraro once he gets dealt at the deadline. Might as well take a chance on this dude. Mike Grier loves former first round busts.

 

[Hntz]

Team Finland has a blueline problem because a lot of first-round dmen didn't develop as expected:

Lassi Thomson (19th)
Ville Heinola (20th)
Juuso Valimaki (16th)
Urho Vaakanainen (18th)
Henri Jokiharju (29th)
Olli Juolevi (5th)
Julius Honka (14th)

None of these are very high picks aside from Juolevi though? Also four of those names are currently playing in NHL. Not dismissing your premise, just wondering is that success rate really that much lower than D-men from other nations drafted in the mid-late 1st round?

 

[Pandaman11]

just wondering is that success rate really that much lower than D-men from other nations drafted in the mid-late 1st round?

Maybe not. Mabye the percentages are the same. But in absolute numbers, if 1 of 2 Finns hit, and 5 of 10 Canadians do, it's in both cases 50%, but Canada has a bigger pool to choose from.

 

[Bandit34]

It'd be nice if someone claimed him. He's an "easy to play against" defenseman.

 

[OysterForever]

...well, they were missing their Top Pairing...

I didn't disagree with that.. but still.. makes you think. Very shallow pool of defenders

 

[ijuka]

I didn't disagree with that.. but still.. makes you think. Very shallow pool of defenders

There was a lot of excitement about the new crop of Finnish defensemen, several draft years had quite a few go in the first few rounds.

... And then they all busted. Well, except Heiskanen.

 

[FinnBear]

I didn't disagree with that.. but still.. makes you think. Very shallow pool of defenders

It's actually not considering the whole population of Finland is only 5.5 million total people - and that's everyone from in diapers to people in retirement homes.

 

[DEANYOUNGBLOOD17]

By clearing waivers he creates more value.

- 50% can be retained and he can be stashed away in the minors. 2 million owed on next years contract is too much to acquire and put on the books.for next year. If he does not make your team next year at 2 million it is basically a 1 million cap penalty next year if you have to bury his cap hit in the minors.

- @ 50 % retained it eliminates any cap hit next year if he does not make your line up out of training camp.

- Also he’s more valuable as depth in the minors as a 8-9 defenseman that called be called up in case of emergency.

- Also after he clears waivers he can be used as a top 4 d- man for an AHL team with Aspirations of winning the AHL cup.

After he clears waivers he is going to be traded for a late pick @ 50 % retained.