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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I kind of doubt it. Only way he does is if Kulak really craps the bed. Due to waivers keeping Valimaki into the regular season would mean waiving Kulak and potentially losing him. So it doesn't really make sense unless they want to cut bait on Kulak.
If the Flames were worse I think he'd be a guy you'd consider keeping. But there's no need to rush him. I think he'll stay deep into camp but I think the easy decision is to send him back. It's one of the hardest positions in the league to break into.
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Treliving stated at the STH meeting in June that the organization is unlikely to put an 18 year old in the lineup again. They did it with their top 6 picks but that is not a shocker as Monahan, Bennett, and Tkachuk all deserved the spots they got as rookies. Perhaps Valimaki makes it but he will have t be better than the best young Dman to make it. The Flames top 5 is locked down and they have prospects pushing.
I think Valimaki will make it if he is a clear tier ahead of Kulak, Witherspoon, Kylington, Anderson otherwise he goes back to junior