[News] Flames loan Valimaki to Tampereen Ilves (Liiga)

[Snuffleupagus]

Originally Posted by Mitch

This guy will be our best dman within the next 2 yrs. Book it.

Considering he's the only one playing games right now he'll probably be our best come January

[sureLoss]

https://twitter.com/user/status/1314963862299398145

[868904]

Did Valimaki improve his skating?

I know he was always a good skater, but that fan is comparing him to Heiskenan, arguably the best skater in the league.

[Roof-Daddy]

"Plays like a big Heiskanen"

*droooool*

It is so hard not to be skeptical of Valimaki having any kind of impact with him coming off a serious injury and missing so much time the last couple of seasons.

IF he actually hits though, he will single handedly take the Flames D core to elite status IMO.

[Crown Royal]

I'm already engraving Valimaki's name on the Calder

[Prufrock]

Anyone know how to get an Ilves Valimaki jersey? I emailed the club, hopefullt they get back to me soon.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, I love that stupid, drunk lynx logo.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Nelson

The Kylington makes lots of mistakes story is overrated. That used to be true. But watching him play his 48 games in 19-20, I didn’t see a lot of huge mistakes. I did see some pretty exciting playmaking ability as the season went on.

My worst-case scenario for Kylington is Seattle takes him before Calgary gives him a shot at being an everyday NHLer. In Seattle, he uses his awesome tools and improved decision-making to become a great, young NHL defenceman.

I agree with the move him to the right side crowd.

Please stop putting Kylington in the press box and replacement level plugs in the lineup. So frustrating!

I agree with all of this.

If Kylington has any actual area that needs improvement, it's at the offensive end where he doesn't get enough shots on net.

[Crown Royal]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I agree with all of this.

If Kylington has any actual area that needs improvement, it's at the offensive end where he doesn't get enough shots on net.

He needs improvement in both ends.

At the offensive blueline he tries taking shots that are easily blocked making passes that are easily intercepted; that turn into off-man rushes going the other way.

Defensively he gets caught chasing too much and he is very weak on men in front of the net.

[greentree]

Expecting good things from both Valimaki and Kylington this year. The former to resume his impressive progression to a top 4 man. The latter to prove himself a regular NHLer with offence.
Imagine if both of them have very good/great years compared to their previous bests...that would really help our chances. With the vets getting the hard minutes, and these two up and comers, our D could be mighty fine.

[Roof-Daddy]

Obviously early and a small sample size, but point per game in the Finnish Elite League is an NHLe of 37 points.

[Eric]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I agree on the "letting him loose" philosophy at this point in his development. He's learned how to be reliable in his own zone so long as he's got a strong defensive partner. I don't think he'll ever be great defensively either, and I also agree that you have to maximize the benefit he provides, which should be transition and driving the play into the offensive zone, more of a rover type of defenseman.

Between him and Hanifin, I think we are underutilizing the talent we have. Both of those guys are never going to be more than, "just okay" defensively, but they have the ability to skate with the puck and make plays in transition. If I was the coach, I would be urging them to skate up ice as soon as they get the puck to put pressure on the other team's defense. Coach a forward to hang back to cover for them if they're on a rush. That could instantly lead to more offense because you break down the coverage and systems. Chaos always creates more offense, but sometimes that chaos can go both ways, so you have to learn to live with it. But Gaudreau thrives on chaos in the offensive zone. If he can't create his own chaos, but someone else can, he often cleans up and finds ways to score once the defense is broken down a little.

If the Flames had a superior goalie to cover up a few errors now and then, that would be the best strategy.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

^ I mean yeah, I fully expect this defense corps to bring a LOT more offense than last year Markstrom in net. Especially considering that he saves a TON of breakaway and high danger attempts that other goalies don't save. The Flames will be able to take a lot more chances offensively when they need to. That bodes well for an offense that struggled at times last year.

I just hope the coach realizes that.

[ComixZone]

Valimaki, before his injury, was absolutely projecting like Heiskanen was.

If he is healthy and back on track, he’s in our top 4 this year without question. He’ll be playing 20 minutes a night.

I would be entirely comfortable with Giordano - Valimaki - Mackey - Kylington as our NHL LHD depth.

[GioforPM]

Valimaki is a much more hefty guy than Heiskenan. 212 pounds already.

[MrMike]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

"Plays like a big Heiskanen"

*droooool*

It is so hard not to be skeptical of Valimaki having any kind of impact with him coming off a serious injury and missing so much time the last couple of seasons.

IF he actually hits though, he will single handedly take the Flames D core to elite status IMO.

We have always “had” the best defence in the league if everything hits. I am going into this next season with absolutely zero expectations for our defence. I’d rather be surprised than let down like most seasons.

[AC]

I don't see Heiskanen with Valimaki.

I still see him similar to Ivan Provorov in terms of style.

Hell, they had almost identical draft year statlines in the WHL:
Provorov: 60 GP, 15 + 46 = 61 points (1.02 PPG)
Valimaki: 60 GP, 19 + 42 = 61 points (1.02 PPG)

[djsFlames]

If Juuso stays healthy he could be our Barrie & Forbort this season.

[ForeverFlameFan]

Originally Posted by AC

I don't see Heiskanen with Valimaki.

I still see him similar to Ivan Provorov in terms of style.

Hell, they had almost identical draft year statlines in the WHL:
Provorov: 60 GP, 15 + 46 = 61 points (1.02 PPG)
Valimaki: 60 GP, 19 + 42 = 61 points (1.02 PPG)

Provorov is a heavy minute muncher, so if Valimaki can be just like him while also being a .4 PPG in the reg season and .5 PPG in the playoffs, I’m all for it.

[MrMike]

If Valimaki stays healthy I see him taking over our number 3 spot. I see Gio/Anderson and Valimaki/tanev pushing Hanifin down and making him trade bait

[Redrum]

Goals>Assists
Valimaki>Provorov