What’s the matter with Valimaki?

[BigRed]

I don’t know if this deserves its own thread , but we all saw it the other night. Jusso is a broken man with no confidence. He was noticeably less assertive and energetic than when he got in a few games at the beginning of the year. He made mistake after mistake when his job - maybe his career - was on the line.

I thought he was a better choice than Zadorov 10 games into the season. Now I’m not sure he should be allowed to play at all.

Is he done? I feel like the most likely place for him is back in Finland at this point.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moneyhands23]

He isn't done, but expectations should be readjusted. He probably needs another full year in the Ahl unfortunately.

[Zulu29]

Hopefully he can gain some confidence in the AHL with the Heat in the playoffs. But he is nowhere near NHL ready as it stands. Hopefully he comes to next years camp healthy and confident, he’s got the tools but needs to get some confidence to use them.

[SeanCharles]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

He isn't done, but expectations should be readjusted. He probably needs another full year in the Ahl unfortunately.

I don’t know if that is possible.

He isn’t waiver exempt next season and someone would snag him for free.

I’m gonna hold out hope he thrives in AHL playoffs and has a big offseason, comes into camp a new man.

[GullFoss]

He'll be given a long look in training camp next year since the third pairing is unlikely to be re-signed with all the contracts coming up.

[TheSquatch]

Package him up with Monahan and sell them both as a redemption package in the offseason?

It's a shame, he seemed like a sure thing, then that achilles injury just... smashed it somehow.

[topfiverecords]

Not enough time under Sutter yet.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

He isn't done, but expectations should be readjusted. He probably needs another full year in the Ahl unfortunately.

He'll need waivers next year. We're pretty lucky he didn't need them this year (silver lining to the injury year).

Change of scenery would be best for him - we can't guarantee him a slot and it's hard to justify his 1.55M price tag next year.

I think they package him with one of Monahan or Lucic for a better AAV bottom 6 F (or maybe 3rd pair RHD if they can't re-sign Gudbranson).

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by TheSquatch

It's a shame, he seemed like a sure thing, then that achilles injury just... smashed it somehow.

The thing is, I thought he looked strong enough to play #6 this year. I was pissed that Zadorov keep getting second chances after all his giveaways when Valumaki was clearly the better player.

His AHL time seems to have made him worse, not better. I think he’s mentally shattered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[devo22]

a year ago, we all thought Kylington wouldn't cut it here. Valimaki is one and a half year younger and lost a full year to injury. It might take longer than we've all wanted for him to make it, but you never know when a young defenseman puts it together. I haven't given up on him.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by devo22

a year ago, we all thought Kylington wouldn't cut it here. Valimaki is one and a half year younger and lost a full year to injury. It might take longer than we've all wanted for him to make it, but you never know when a young defenseman puts it together. I haven't given up on him.

Yeah it’s always a crapshoot. Maybe it’s the development time due to injury, maybe it’s mental, maybe this is just his ceiling. You never know which guys will take that next step and which won’t. But he’s not yet at the write off stage just yet.

[PugnaciousIntern]

His first few games with the club, I loved seeing his poise with the puck and his swagger. He’s always come across as a bit on the arrogant side, which I don’t have an issue with. But I suppose when that confidence disappears, it probably affects someone like him more than most. He’s got the tools and I’m still comfortable that he will establish himself in the NHL, but I recognize that it will take a while and may ultimately not be with the Flames

[Reggie Dunlop]

[TheScorpion]

I think Juuso is dealt at the draft.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think Juuso is dealt at the draft.

Only see this if he demands a trade. Would be swelling low

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by BigRed

The thing is, I thought he looked strong enough to play #6 this year. I was pissed that Zadorov keep getting second chances after all his giveaways when Valumaki was clearly the better player.

His AHL time seems to have made him worse, not better. I think he’s mentally shattered.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not a chance

Zadorov will be getting a multi-year 4M+ deal this summer, he is a bonified everyday NHLer.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by devo22

a year ago, we all thought Kylington wouldn't cut it here. Valimaki is one and a half year younger and lost a full year to injury. It might take longer than we've all wanted for him to make it, but you never know when a young defenseman puts it together. I haven't given up on him.

This is true, but it's also hard to imagine a fit for both OK and JV on the bottom 2 pairs. In view of the forward cap crunch, perhaps you consider selling high on OK and seeing if Tanev can sprinkle some magic dust on Vali:

Hanifin-Andersson
Valimaki-Tanev
Mackey-Gudbranson(or similar)

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Only see this if he demands a trade. Would be swelling low

Waivers. Do you really feel any better about JV over CM at 3LD? Let alone $637k better?

[N-E-B]

I’m not ready to write him off yet but I think he’s been completely derailed from his injuries. He lost a lot of time in critical years for development.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Only see this if he demands a trade. Would be swelling low

I had that once. Surgery cleared it right up.