Quote:
Originally Posted by GranteedEV
Sergachev blew me away as a prospect. That's who I wanted that year, even ahead of Tkachuk.
I like Valimaki but I think he's a lot closer to Oliver Kylington and Rasmus Andersson than he is to Sergachev.
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I think Sergachev is a bit better but they are in the same class of player.
IMO Valimaki doesn't get enough respect as a prospect since we do have Kylington, Andersson, and Fox in the system as well, it leads to him to getting lumped together with the others when he's probably a tier ahead. He is easily the most complete of that group when it comes to putting size, skating, offensive, & defensive awareness together.
Valimaki was drafted a year later than Sergachev, but they were about the same age during the 16/17 season - when they had very similar junior and WJC seasons. ( I know points aren't great for d-men but defensive play isn't really an issue for Valimaki or Sergachev).
Valimaki
WHL: GP: 60 G:20 P:61
WJC: GP:6 G:2 P:2
Sergachev:
OHL: GP: 50 G:10 P:43
WJC: GP:7 G:1 P:1
I see no reason why Valimaki couldn't be just as successful in a more sheltered role as a rookie like Sergachev was. The biggest difference is that Valimaki isn't likely to get PP1 time here due to Gio/Hamilton/Brodie being on the roster still.