Valimaki: ‘Stupid’ that he’s sitting

[sa226]

Valimaki doesn't really have a leg to stand on when there is a young left handed Dman in Kylington who has forced his way into the top 4. So you can't say that opportunities aren't there if deserved.

There must be a reason he is observing rather than playing

[Macman]

I don't think it's a good idea for Valamki to be publicly stating this.

I think the Flames may be working on a trade and that's possibly why Valamaki is sitting out. I do think he should be in the lineup although like I mentioned before I think he plays a little on the light side which is probably why Zadorov is in over him. I do like Juuso's foot speed and quickness.

[djsFlames]

Man, after coveting the kid for so long and making him unmovable for Stone, they better not call it quits on him prematurely.

I am positive this kid turns into a top 3 stud after he works through his nerves.

Letting your kids play through their mistakes pays off in the long run, if they have NHL upside.

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by dino7c

I highly doubt this

Next year he will be on his 5th team at 26. After that team also realizes he is a bad defenceman I have no doubt his next stop will be the KHL.

[FBI]

Yup.. Free Valimaki!

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I can't imagine saying that publicly will go over well or increase his chances of seeing a game.

[keenan87]

Good thing we kept him instead of trading him for legitimate help when his value was high. Especially given he wasn't a Top 10 pick.

Now, I look forward to the coveted 3rd round pick.

[dammage79]

I am curious if he could be a trade chip for some top 6 scoring help. Kravtsov, Laine, maybe a Center on a floundering team?

Can't help bit think this may be a possibility too.

[djsFlames]

If they go that route my vote would be Laine. Pure shooter for the PP..

Yes please.

[jlh2640]

Meh. Zadorov hasn’t been bad as everyone says. Valamaki can suck it up and be an impact player then. Instead of meh at best.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sutter isn't dumb. Nor is he that stubborn. There's a reason Valimaki is sitting over Zadorov. I don't know what it is but Sutter does. And right now, I'll take sutters decision making over upset roster players to form my opinion on things like this.

This is the uncomfortable truth in this situation. I hate to say it but something #####y is going on, that we as fans aren't privy too. Valimaki has had his struggles, but he's always been a highly touted young defenseman since the day he was drafted. Wasn't too long ago that he was the team's highest ranked prospect. Expectations have always been high for him.

While on paper it makes no sense to me that he's been sitting for so long, I have no choice but to back Sutter on this one. Whether it be poor practice, poor fitness or poor attitude, seems like there is a rift between coach and player. Hopefully it can get resolved sooner than later. Sutter is a stubborn old mule who isn't going to give in.

I would obviously much prefer to see Valimaki on the ice instead of Zadorov. But agreed; Sutter sees something we don't and there's a reason this is happening.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Meh. Zadorov hasn’t been bad as everyone says. Valamaki can suck it up and be an impact player then. Instead of meh at best.

He's gonna need a chance in order to show that.

[CF84]

Kylington had a far more frustrating path to the NHL and he has shown that he is willing to grow. How much complaining did we hear from him during his constant sitting? I could be wrong, but I don't really remember him complaining.



If Valimaki is also pouting during the practices, then I could absolutely see why Sutter isn't playing him. I'm not saying that he is pouting, but that would be exactly the kind of entitled behavior a good coach should address. If he is willing to listen to Sutter's advice and push hard during practices, he will be rewarded. I have a feeling that's what Zadorov did and I'm not a huge fan of him.

[EVERLAST]

Sutter doing the tough LOVE thing so a player learns a lesson. .....hmmmm.....We've seen this before ......hmmm.....some captain we had who had to stand up for himself and chose NOT to report to the AHL.

Hmmmm.....sound familiar?

Unable to come to terms on a new contract with the Flames prior to the 2007–08 season, Giordano left the NHL to sign with HC Dynamo Moscow of the Russian Super League.... According to Playfair, Giordano did not sign in Russia over money. Instead, he left due to the fact that he felt he had proven what he could do in the AHL and, lacking a guarantee that he would be in the NHL, sought a higher-calibre league in which to play.[10] He scored 4 goals and 13 points in 50 games with Dynamo, and played with the winning Canadian team at the 2007 Spengler Cup. The Canadian national team named him an alternate at the 2008 IIHF World Championship in case of injury to a roster player,however he never appeared in a game. Though he feared his decision to leave for Russia would damage his relationship with the Flames, Giordano and the team came to terms on a three-year contract that brought him back to Calgary for the 2008–09 NHL season.

So ...maybe the circumstances are different but i see similarities.....and the future is bright still but the work needs to be done.

Kylington endured and is still not free of learning through tough breaks but he's much improved. Jusso just needs to keep working IMO....hell be in there soon enough unless Mackey passes him on thr depth chart me thinks .

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by jlh2640

Meh. Zadorov hasn’t been bad as everyone says. Valamaki can suck it up and be an impact player then. Instead of meh at best.

Agreed, To add, Sutter wants his defence to make life miserable on opponents, Zadorov not only hits 10 times as hard he hits twice as much as Valamaki.

Kylington took Valamaki's place in the lineup not Zadorov.

[Knightslayer]

Originally Posted by Snuffleupagus

Agreed, To add, Sutter wants his defence to make life miserable on opponents, Zadorov not only hits 10 times as hard he hits twice as much as Valamaki.

Kylington took Valamaki's place in the lineup not Zadorov.

His opponents love playing against Zadorov. It's nice when a defenceman doesn't make good decisions and gives you the puck a lot.

His big hits have caused him to be out of position a lot and doesn't contribute to a good overall game.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Knightslayer

Next year he will be on his 5th team at 26. After that team also realizes he is a bad defenceman I have no doubt his next stop will be the KHL.

There are far worse players in the league

[Ferarri]

Don’t like his comments about being given. Could just be poor translation but this rubs me the wrong way. You want to play, then earn it. Kylington is a great example of this. The coach will play you but don’t think you’re entitled to ice time.

[1_Flames_Fan]

Vali should be playing over Zadorov or at least a split with him in my opinion but I'm sure Sutter has his reasons.

[Yobbo]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Maybe the reasons are valid but just don't create a Bennett on defense situation please.

That's what I worry about. We don't need another Bennett situation that's for sure.