Valimaki did get a terrible situation. COVID stunting development as a pro, then a knee injury when he really needed it.
Just like that, two seasons of absolutely critical development, out the window.
It's such a fine line those first few years for very good junior players, to be on the path to be a very good pro. Timing is everything. The right coaching and roster support, right minutes and deployment, right team situation overall.
It's why the Oilers top picks floundered until McDavid, even he had do overcome a lot that the other top picks they had, couldn't
Valimaki instead lost his proper development hindered, and it's very hard to get it back when you're two years behind.
But yeah, rental for Stone should've been done for a player of that caliber. Worry about the re signing in the summer after hopefully a nice playoff run, which that could've been.
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