This is a great signing imo also. Going forward $4.5mil is pretty much a #4 defenseman salary and he projects to be that at worst. He essentially is that already.
However those that think a Brodie or Hamonic trade is imminent may need to rethink. Flames defensive depth below the seven on the roster is very thin. Valimaki will almost definitely need to spend the rest of the regular season in the AHL and the rest of the guys in Stockton are fringe 8/9 guys (Davidson, Valiev, Neilson) or inexperienced, unproven guys (Leslie. Yelesin, Hamilton etc).
Our defense is an injury away from being a weak spot
|