Valimaki: ‘Stupid’ that he’s sitting

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Sutter dislikes him, and he knows it-and this is messing with his motivation. He was pretty much the best player in the Finnish league, he’s better than what he’s showing now, injures or not. I think he’s trade bait in the Summer.

May well be true...but the way to overcome it is not to be grumpy, complain etc (which he apparently has done), but to work your tail off and show Darryl that you're better than being relegated in Stockton.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Currently, he has 2g 14a 16p in 29gp.

Not sure about his TOI or which pairing he's deployed on though. It would also be good to know if he's on any special teams, or what his role is on the Heat.

He had a good start with the Heat. IIRC, he went 8pt in 11gp and was being used in a primary role (similar to Mackey). Then he missed a couple games due to injury and didn't get his spot back once he returned.

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Derek Wills was saying he heard Valimaki is at best 3rd on the depth chart in Stockton and really made it sound like he has not been good down there from who he has talked to. Not surprised Mackey was called up

Besides MacKey, Valimaki is competing against:

• Andy Welinski, a veteran tweener and Sutter depth favorite from his time with the Ducks

• Kevin Gravel, a veteran tweener, and a Sutter depth favorite from his time with the Kings

• Nick DeSimone, another veteran AHLer

That's at least four defensemen that are potentially getting preferential treatment ahead of Valimaki.

Valimaki is understandably frustrated with the situation and obviously has more to give. If the coaching staff of the Flames and Heat don't like Valimaki, they should trade him so that yet another highly drafted prospect with potential isn't being wasted

[Krovikan]

I don't think Sutter dislikes many players, I just think he separates feelings from his decisions. If you do what he says, put in the effort, play the way he wants, or perform well (in that order) you will play.

If Valimaki proves himself, I'm confident Sutter would be the first one to ask for him.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by Sandman

I think Sutter dislikes him, and he knows it-and this is messing with his motivation. He was pretty much the best player in the Finnish league, he’s better than what he’s showing now, injures or not. I think he’s trade bait in the Summer.

Why Sutter dislikes him? Is it because of his play? Or Sutter just doesn't like him for no reason at all? This is an honest question.

[Classic_Sniper]

What a shame Juuso’s career has taken such a bad turn. I’m not Valimaki’s biggest fan, mostly because I really wanted the Flames to take Robert Thomas. But that’s probably mostly bias as I had Thomas ridiculously high on my list, even ahead of Nolan Patrick. So my opinion is probably a bit clouded.

But for the sake of Valimaki’s career, I hope the Flames can find themselves another struggling prospect to trade him for. Give Juuso a chance with an organization that might give him a longer leash. He’s still very raw, but he’s got some nice tools and hopefully other organizations see that as well.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by boogerz

That's at least four defensemen that are potentially getting preferential treatment ahead of Valimaki.

Serious question, did Sutter ever giver preferential treatment to any player in his coaching career?

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Why Sutter dislikes him? Is it because of his play? Or Sutter just doesn't like him for no reason at all? This is an honest question.

Sutter doesn’t dislike anyone for no reason.

If he dislikes Valimaki, odds are Valimaki needs to figure out what would make Sutter start liking him, and do those things every day.

Then he’ll be in the show.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Why Sutter dislikes him? Is it because of his play? Or Sutter just doesn't like him for no reason at all? This is an honest question.

Gotta be his play. I honestly think Sutter would play a one eyed alien if it could skate and check well enough. In my opinion, it’s Valimaki’s mobility that really holds him back. His skating and agility are no where close to Sutter’s expectations. He also doesn’t appear to have that hard or relentless quality either that could at least make up for that shortfall. That’s just my guess though.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Serious question, did Sutter ever giver preferential treatment to any player in his coaching career?

I wasn't necessarily referring to the Sutter or the NHL with my comment, but of course Sutter has given preferential treatment to certain players during his career...he is a human like the rest of us.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by boogerz

I wasn't necessarily referring to the Sutter or the NHL with my comment, but of course Sutter has given preferential treatment to certain players during his career...he is a human like the rest of us.

Examples, please?

[1Nite]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Examples, please?

Dustin Brown!

[TheSquatch]

Huh? Dustin Brown was a wrecking ball when that LA team won the cup.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by 1Nite

Dustin Brown!

So Dustin Brown hates Sutter because Sutter gave him preferential treatment?

The answer to this one will be quite interesting by the time I get back from the ER.

[TheSquatch]

Lots of players dislike Sutter (or coaches like him, Tortorella might be another example). These coaches have a shelf life. I think Sutter rode Brown really really hard year after year and finally Brown got sick of that, but it is what won them the cup the first year Sutter was in LA.

5 years from now, Sutter isn't going to be the coach here. He's going to beat the maximum effort out of this team for a few years, and move on, possibly by force. It's the way things are.

[1Nite]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

So Dustin Brown hates Sutter because Sutter gave him preferential treatment?

The answer to this one will be quite interesting by the time I get back from the ER.

Hope everything is OK if your going to the ER, it was more sarcasm about people complaining about favorites.

I think TheSquatch has got it right.

[Sandman]

Originally Posted by midniteowl

Why Sutter dislikes him? Is it because of his play? Or Sutter just doesn't like him for no reason at all? This is an honest question.

Well for starters, Sutter blamed a lot of what was wrong with last year's team on "a few of our young defensemen" not taking a step forward. I'm not saying that he's wrong, but that's what he said. The finger of blame was speculated to be pointed at Andersson, Kylington, and Val. The first two obviously did the necessary work, and thus-have earned important roles on the team.

Everybody is right-if it's something that Sutter wants that you don't want to give, you won't be playing here. If that's the case, then boo-hoo. What I see on the ice is a kid who still makes mental errors, fails to play at a high pace (I don't think his skating is bad), is a bit lackadaisical, and doesn't use his body enough. I believe that there's players that just aren't suited for Sutter's style, and perhaps he's one of them.

[BoLevi]

Seems valimakis bad attitude since going back to the ahl has validated Sutter's opinion

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by 1Nite

Hope everything is OK if your going to the ER, it was more sarcasm about people complaining about favorites.

Thanks! I got hit in the eye with the end of a broken tree branch, but I was lucky to get off with bruised sclera. My vision will probably take a couple of weeks to get back to normal.

I think TheSquatch has got it right.

Agreed.

[mile]

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