Juuso Valimaki: "I really enjoy hockey again"

[TheScorpion]

Valimaki appeared on 960 yesterday afternoon and sounded very excited about playing every day with the Coyotes.

I put together a little writeup on his comments here: https://flamesnation.ca/news/juuso-v...ary-flames-nhl

His full segment on Flames Talk can be found here (Hour 1, October 27): https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcas...k/id1603908478

Here's an excerpt:

“All you can really ask, as a player, is for an opportunity,” Valimaki said. “I’m just really happy that I got to kind of start fresh again and just get an opportunity to play and be in every night and not just play 10 minutes.

“I’ve always said it, the more you play, the easier it is,” Valimaki added. “When you play those kinds of minutes, it’s just kind of the easiest game for me, I think. So, to be able to do that now, it feels awesome.”

Valimaki joined the Coyotes during their season-opening six-game road trip, although he was initially unable to play games in the United States due to a work visa issue.

The Coyotes will play their first game at the brand-new Mullett Arena on Friday evening, with Valimaki expected to be in the lineup. But the left-handed defender told Steinberg and Gordon he enjoyed the chance to get to know his new teammates away from home.

“We had a long road trip,” Valimaki said. “I think it was good for me especially to be on the road [with the Coyotes], get to know some of the new faces, everyone around a little bit more.

“Overall, it’s been really good, and I really enjoy hockey again,” Valimaki added. “It’s really fun going to the rink every day now, I’m really excited for games, and I think it’s been exactly what I needed so far.”

Hoping for all the best for Juuso.

[Northendzone]

hopefully it works out for him in Phoenix as it seems he develoment was derailed by factors outside of his control

[devo22]

good for him. Sometimes things just don't work out and a change of scenery is best for everybody involved. Hope he can run with this opportunity.

[Philly06Cup]

Gostisbehere agrees with Valimaki.

On the flipside, Michael Stone is also thriving after leaving Arizona for Calgary and given more opportunity =)

[boogerz]

“What I also like is, he doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because nobody is.”

Sounds like a subtle shot at Sutter

[Huntingwhale]

I still think Valimaki is an NHL player. He just wasn't going to get that chance here unfortunately. Luckily he now plays for a team with room on their roster, less media attention and less pressure. Seems like a good foundation for him to find his groove back.

Wish him all the best.

[sureLoss]

Easy to say when you go from a team that is pretty much all in for a Stanley Cup to a team that has almost no expectations in doing well this year.

Regardless, best of luck to him in trying to establish a long NHL career.

[bdubbs]

Good luck to Juuso but yeah that comment about needing to be perfect definitely sounds like a dig at Sutter. Was never going to work out for Juuso after his setbacks, and Kylington stepped into the spot that most assumed was Juuso's to lose last year.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by boogerz

“What I also like is, he doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because nobody is.”

Sounds like a subtle shot at Sutter

Was just going to post this too. That really stood out to me

[VilleN]

Good for him... He's pretty much on an AHL roster, so a great opportunity for him to get minutes in the NHL and see if he can't get his career back on track.

[Wastedyouth]

"I really enjoy the pressure of not having to win hockey games! It lets me play as poorly as I want, because we don't have to worry about winning!"

That's what my beer league teammates enjoy about hockey as well.

[Tkachukwagon]

I’m fine with Valimaki’s comments, it’s clear he was not going to fit with a team that has high expectations and pressure to preform.

[Burning Beard]

Originally Posted by boogerz

“What I also like is, he doesn’t expect us to be perfect, because nobody is.”

Sounds like a subtle shot at Sutter

This is the attitude many on the team had before when the team got nowhere. Glad those guys have all moved on now.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Sounds like one of the guy's Sutter was talking about that felt entitled to being gifted minutes regardless of his performance. Even after games his comments struck me as odd especially after the debacle against Edmonton in preseason when he said he was great.

Hope he does well in Arizona it's easy to be gifted free minutes on a borderline farm team.

[btimbit]

'I enjoy hockey again'

Translation 'Holy #### am I ever glad I didn't wind up in the AHL again'

[CroFlames]

The Flames are one of the deepest teams in the NHL, and probably the deepest at D.

Injury probably derailed his development, but it's good he's getting a chance again. I think he is an NHLer.

[TheoFleury]

Wasn't he taking shots at the flames over social media? Liking anti flames posts? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Shame it didn't work out I guess. Sounds like he's one of those people who retreat when held accountable or pushed

[Kasi]

Anyone watched their games to see how he’s playing? Just because he’s playing on the worst team in the league doesn’t mean he’d do well here. Kinda like the people pining for Monahan. Even when he was at his best he was awful playing against top lines. He’s not a checker and not an energy guy so there is literally zero space for him here. (And no moving Lindholm to the wing to make space for him is dumb)

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by TheoFleury

Wasn't he taking shots at the flames over social media? Liking anti flames posts? Or am I thinking of someone else?

Shame it didn't work out I guess. Sounds like he's one of those people who retreat when held accountable or pushed

Highly doubt it, he has been very complimentary of how they handled his injury situation

Guy was an absolute disaster in the preseason and the couple games last year for Calgary...he wasn't even a top guy in the AHL. It's not about being perfect it's about having a goal to win it all and not being okay with okay.

[Geeoff]

I hope he thrives in Arizona