What’s the matter with Valimaki?

[FlamesAddiction]

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.

Kylington always had some tools that would wow people though. Some things that just can't be taught. It took him a while to learn other things that could keep him in the line-up consistently, but those other tools were always going to give him more rope.

Valimaki's ticket to the NHL is going to have to be playing mistake-free most of the time, because he doesn't seem to have one attribute that can cancel out mistakes. He doesn't have the physical factor that Gudbranson and Zadorov have, the speed that Kylington has, the offensive awareness and shot that Andersson has, the speed and 200' game of Hanifin, or the bomb of a shot that Stone has. Mistakes from those other guys, to a degree, can be forgiven because of the other things they bring.

If Valimaki is going to be a key player, I think Tanev is the guy he needs to try to emulate. Smooth skating, shot blocking, and always making the smart plays. I think Valimaki can do it and hope he does.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by dino7c

Not a chance

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

At the time. Zadorov was a fire drill the first 10-12 games. Everyone loathed him. Valimaki was more dynamic and seemed to have a lot more to offer, especially in the offensive zone.

Sutter gave Zadorov a chance to establish himself - as you do with a $4 mln D - and he definitely did that. He’s had a great year. But at the time, it was a a choice between a a brain fart- prone vet and a kid with good hockey IQ and a lot of jump.

No argument Sutter did the right thing in the end, but early on Zadorov was terrible.


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[Roof-Daddy]

I don't really remember ever being wowed by Valimaki.

Didn't really get the hype, seemed solid I guess but not outstanding, yet always battling injuries which is never a good thing, especially during crucial development years.

His stint in Europe did give a flash of hope to me though, he looked dominant and like he could bring the offense.

Hopefully he turns it around.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by BigRed

At the time. Zadorov was a fire drill the first 10-12 games. Everyone loathed him. Valimaki was more dynamic and seemed to have a lot more to offer, especially in the offensive zone.

Sutter gave Zadorov a chance to establish himself - as you do with a $4 mln D - and he definitely did that. He’s had a great year. But at the time, it was a a choice between a a brain fart- prone vet and a kid with good hockey IQ and a lot of jump.

No argument Sutter did the right thing in the end, but early on Zadorov was terrible.


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Well Vali has been terrible in all his games this season...I never loathed Zadorov. I think people didn't give him and Gudbranson a fair shake because of preconceived ideas about them as players until they could no longer be ignored. Coach knew all along.

All this being said he is young and can turn it around...only 3 years younger than Zadorov though

[BagoPucks]

Confidence is a huge part of development. He needs to find that confidence and putting in the work to keep his head up. The NHL is a tough league to crack. Injuries have an impact he needs to find that resiliency.

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I think Juuso is dealt at the draft.

Agree. I think he is done with Calgary emotionally.

[saillias]

I think he just needs more games. If you look at games played he doesn't have a lot. There's a lot of missed development time. The injury is one factor but also because they've used him in the NHL as a bench warmer #7. Might not be ready next year either. If that's the case hopefully he can be snuck through waivers at a busy time.

[Strange Brew]

Pretty huge off-season coming up for Valimaki.

Both Rasmus and Kylington were able to turn things around for themselves so I hope he can too. If the Flames had to go 9 deep on the back end for the playoffs, is there anyone other than Valimaki that would get the call?

[blender]

I love the hockey talk here, but one thing I've learned is to watch out for the blanket statements and proclamations.
Players are not static. They are always developing, and even veterans can have a great season at any given time and for reasons we as fans have no knowledge of.

Look at Trevor Lewis. Last week there was a bunch of rumbling here about how bad he was, why he is washed, shouldn't be blocking young players, etc. He's having one of the best seasons of his career, was a major contributor to this perfect road trip. What do we know, right?

Now, we've got Valimaki as a bust, emotionally checked out, traded at the draft...

I'll just wait and see, I guess.

[boogerz]

Originally Posted by saillias

I think he just needs more games. If you look at games played he doesn't have a lot. There's a lot of missed development time. The injury is one factor but also because they've used him in the NHL as a bench warmer #7. Might not be ready next year either. If that's the case hopefully he can be snuck through waivers at a busy time.

There is no chance that Valimaki sneaks through waivers at any point in time next season. He's still technically 23 y/o when next season starts, still has a bunch of potential, and he's one season removed from lighting up the Finnish league. In a world where multiple teams have claimed a non-NHL caliber player like Juolevi off waivers in the past 12 months, there is not a single GM that will pass up an opportunity to take Valimaki for free.

The Flames need to be very careful with him over the next 12 months

[BigRed]

Trade him for Juolevi? Fresh starts all around!

(That’s a joke)

Seriously, could we get a second round pick at this point? I wonder.


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[EVERLAST]

Here's something about Jusso I haven't seen brought up.
He's been injured, been married , had a set injury setback TWICE, been demoted and all of this combined would make for some interesting change for anyone.

Maybe just maybe hockey isn't #1 and it's hard to navigate life , expectations, recovery, new married life.....add in a pandemic.

Not making excuses but wow....I wouldn't trade spots with him at all with all that going on.

I say based on Kylington he's gonna get more rope here but yeah.....life can kinda get too busy and who's to say it's not one or all of these things combined.

[browna]

Originally Posted by blender

I love the hockey talk here, but one thing I've learned is to watch out for the blanket statements and proclamations.
Players are not static. They are always developing, and even veterans can have a great season at any given time and for reasons we as fans have no knowledge of.

Look at Trevor Lewis. Last week there was a bunch of rumbling here about how bad he was, why he is washed, shouldn't be blocking young players, etc. He's having one of the best seasons of his career, was a major contributor to this perfect road trip. What do we know, right?

Now, we've got Valimaki as a bust, emotionally checked out, traded at the draft...

I'll just wait and see, I guess.

Trevor Lewis is a bad comparison, as are most aging vets, when it comes to a "Matthew Philps should take his spot becuase Lewis is old and no upside“

Guys like Lewis have been there and done that and were brought in because they have been there and done that. And, in this day and age guys like that are still in shape, and true professionals in the room...so they aren't interchangeable with someone with more pure talent or single quality because they have a role to play.

Valamaki is a product of a bad set of circumstances. A season ending injury before his first full season, then all the Covid changes in the bubble year and here we are two season later. He's lost precious development time when players that age have to get better or they get worse, and he's lost out on close to two of three of the last season's of that.

That is a lot harder to make up, especially with such high expectations at draft time. It really is too bad becuase he likely would've been in the top 2 or 4 if there was no injuries and no Covid since his draft.

But no question his stock and expectations, have dropped.

[blender]

Originally Posted by browna

Trevor Lewis is a bad comparison, as are most aging vets, when it comes to a "Matthew Philps should take his spot becuase Lewis is old and no upside“

Guys like Lewis have been there and done that and were brought in because they have been there and done that. And, in this day and age guys like that are still in shape, and true professionals in the room...so they aren't interchangeable with someone with more pure talent or single quality because they have a role to play.

Valamaki is a product of a bad set of circumstances. A season ending injury before his first full season, then all the Covid changes in the bubble year and here we are two season later. He's lost precious development time when players that age have to get better or they get worse, and he's lost out on close to two of three of the last season's of that.

That is a lot harder to make up, especially with such high expectations at draft time. It really is too bad becuase he likely would've been in the top 2 or 4 if there was no injuries and no Covid since his draft.

But no question his stock and expectations, have dropped.

Fair points and well made, but my comparison wasn't meant to be between the players but rather how we often discuss players--in absolutes. Remember how the league had Johnny figured out? Or how Monahan was a lock for 30 goals.

[SeanCharles]

Everyone needs to relax.

He is still young and we shouldn’t just give up on him yet.

[BigRed]

Originally Posted by browna

Valamaki is a product of a bad set of circumstances. A season ending injury before his first full season, then all the Covid changes in the bubble year and here we are two season later. He's lost precious development time when players that age have to get better or they get worse, and he's lost out on close to two of three of the last season's of that.

The thing is, I thought he started the year reasonably strong and cratered from there. When he and Zadorov were trading time early in the season he looked like a legit NHL D to me. Then the other night, he was just dismal.

That’s why I say it’s been the ears. He hasn’t taken the long demotion well and it’s damaged his confidence. He may just have to start fresh because of it, which is too bad not only because we could have used him, D depth being the top 6 being thin, but because we’ll be selling low.


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[Moneyhands23]

From what iv seen he has lost his grit. 2 many injuries, he has great open ice hits and was way more physical before the injuries.
I think his play may be a result of injuries

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

From what iv seen he has lost his grit. 2 many injuries, he has great open ice hits and was way more physical before the injuries.
I think his play may be a result of injuries

Ive never thought of Jusso Valimaki as great open ice hitter or a physical presence. Am I missing something?

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

Here's something about Jusso I haven't seen brought up.
He's been injured, been married , had a set injury setback TWICE, been demoted and all of this combined would make for some interesting change for anyone.

Maybe just maybe hockey isn't #1 and it's hard to navigate life , expectations, recovery, new married life.....add in a pandemic.

Not making excuses but wow....I wouldn't trade spots with him at all with all that going on.

I say based on Kylington he's gonna get more rope here but yeah.....life can kinda get too busy and who's to say it's not one or all of these things combined.

You wouldn't trade places with a millionaire athlete that just got married?

I've heard the phrase 'wouldn't trade places with that person for the world', but it's usually reserved for unbelievable strife or tragedy, never in a situation like this, lol. Bizarre.

[Sandman]

I'm with Scorp, I've said all year that he's trade bait this summer. I think that Sutter just doesn't like him-some guys just can't play for Darryl.