[News] Valimaki assigned to Stockton. UPD: recalled on Dec 7

[Ziggy Lidstrom]

I don’t doubt sutters plans. He’s having the plans enacted because tre can’t help but agree.

Sutters competitively run insular team first approach is paying off. This is probably part of his master plan. To me, jusso doesn’t look nhl ready. But now at least he’s playing top minutes and competing in arguably the third best hockey league in the world. He’s actually doing Well there. 3 assists in two games shows me he’s already clicking with that group.

He is there now and will really get some good run and face some career ahl ers who want to eat his spoiled first round pick lunch.

It’s up to him now. But that team is deep. I’m really proud of this scouting staff. They have been unquestionably good until this point and as of late post Brian Burke era. How can anyone argue with the results. So many reinforcements coming along. This is the culture I have been wanting since we officially relinquished iggy , sold Reggie and let kipper retire. If only Benny was here. But I think valimaki has offensive upside. I don’t give up on that lightly. But it needs confidence to make it play at that level and other worlds nearly inhuman levels of confidence.

Being more assertive and aggressive physically will help jusso immensely. He’s still a young man playing a somewhat violent position in professional sports. Forechecks are mean and don’t have feelings other than the regular attrition all pros face. Sports are unforgiving. Sutter as we know has this kids best interest at heart. He doesn’t want him to be demoralized. Look at what Edmonton does to their young kids. Can I get an order of mcdefence please? Sheesh they are hot dogs hundred foot players. Our team is a pack of hunting dogs.

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Jay Random

Valimaki has been sent down because his job was taken by a superior player making league minimum. This is a good thing, not something to complain about. The owners know that very well.

As for his salary, I think the GM Mind Control Ray theory is at work again. Treliving doesn't have the power to order players to sign at a certain salary. Valimaki's contract was negotiated between the team and Valimaki's agent. The Flames did not just offer him extra money out of the goodness of their hearts.

Vali also played ball in his injury season in terms of helping the team in the expansion draft, etc. - he could have had a valid grievance about being denied development opportunity (in whatever league) and earning pensionable service, etc. - a slightly generous AAV would have been a reasonable gesture/compromise instead of really nickle & diming that negotiation.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by badger89

I've heard from someone in the organisation that Sutter wants Valimaki to play harder and be more physical. The rest of the D have stepped up, but Valimaki isn't there yet so he's not going to bump anyone out of the line-up any time soon. Hopefully he can develop more of an edge to his game.

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I wonder if he is a bit hesitant about getting into hard nosed play because of his injury history. It doesn't even need to be a conscious choice but I know from sports injuries that mentally I was always playing with less edge afterward.

[DazzlinDino]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I wonder if he is a bit hesitant about getting into hard nosed play because of his injury history. It doesn't even need to be a conscious choice but I know from sports injuries that mentally I was always playing with less edge afterward.

I think some of it is just that he is not playing the right way. At times he gets caught too far up in the offensive zone spends a little time in there then doesn't get back to where he should be. Sutter also likes defensemen who are big and physical; I read one of Sutters interviews years ago, it has to do with wearing teams down especially in the playoffs. When it comes to mobility Valimaki doesn't fill the role as Killington does this better. Valimaki needs to establish what kind of role Sutter is looking for from him and so far he has not done that. Does Valimaki have the skills, absolutely but I think he is having trouble figuring out the role Sutter wants from him; which has to do with fitting into Sutter's team plan.

[Enoch Root]

Sutter likes to pressure the puck everywhere - fast paced, keep your feet moving, close gaps, and don't give the puck carrier time and space.

Valimaki plays a steady, slow, patient kind of game, picking his spots. In many ways, Kylington used to play like that as well.

Kylington has learned to use his skills, and most importantly, use his speed, to be more impactful. Valimaki hasn't figured it out yet. I am sure he will though. He has the tools, but he needs to play at a higher tempo, and dictate the play more.

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Sutter likes to pressure the puck everywhere - fast paced, keep your feet moving, close gaps, and don't give the puck carrier time and space.

Valimaki plays a steady, slow, patient kind of game, picking his spots. In many ways, Kylington used to play like that as well.

Kylington has learned to use his skills, and most importantly, use his speed, to be more impactful. Valimaki hasn't figured it out yet. I am sure he will though. He has the tools, but he needs to play at a higher tempo, and dictate the play more.

That’s absolutely what he has to do. Now that the Flames have been allowed to send him down without clearing waivers, he will have the opportunity to do that. This is absolutely the best choice for the organization and the player.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

Treliving is here tonight.

Did you travel down with him?


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[Reggie Dunlop]

Looks like Valimaki is a scratch for Stockton tonight.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1468408363482370050

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

Looks like Valimaki is a scratch for Stockton tonight.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1468408363482370050

Wtf

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by Moneyhands23

Wtf

Most likely means he is coming back to Calgary with the big club.

edit: yup. According to Capfriendly Valimaki has been recalled

https://twitter.com/user/status/1468410074104225792

[Reggie Dunlop]

Shortridge is the spare goalie. He'll probably head back to Kansas City.

Gravel, Simpson and Petterson are roster flotsam.

Valimaki might be coming back to the main squad, I reckon.

[blender]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Most likely means he is coming back to Calgary with the big club.

edit: yup. According to Capfriendly Valimaki has been recalled

https://twitter.com/user/status/1468410074104225792

Lol the last page of discussion about how this was best for Valimaki and how it was the master plan, etc. Haha we know nothing.

Still enjoyed the discussion. Good points being raised.

[BigRed]

Don't get it. Unless he's playing ... tonight?

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by BigRed

Don't get it. Unless he's playing ... tonight?

He was close by (Stockton), and Kylington was an uncertainty. May as well bring him in, just in case

[Lil Pedro]

Perfect timing for Zadorov to have a brutal game...get Vallimaki back in the lineup on thursday vs. CAR

[btimbit]

Makes sense, just left him in Stockton when they were in the area, bring him back up to fly home with the team

[Macindoc]

Wonder if they will send him back down again since Kylington was able to play.

[Snuffleupagus]

Somethings up

[Stampede2TheCup]

There seems to be a lot of premature jumping to conclusions all over the place. I’m pretty sure you can find some similar comments about Kyllington having no shot at the team during his killer training camp.

I doubt Sutter dislikes Valimaki. He’s still a promising young D and appears to have a very good attitude. Sutter isn’t a fickle tyrant that rashly and unfairly sends players to his doghouse. He’s a demanding coach that insists everyone be on board with just how he needs them to play. Sutter clearly communicates what more he needs from guys and Valimaki is a good young player who seems to be putting in the work right now to get there.

As has been said plenty, it’s only one quarter of the way into the season and he he’s just been passed by Killer and Gorilla-Branson. The season is long and if any coach-GM combo truly values and loves their depth defensemen no matter where they assign them, it must be the Flames’. It takes plenty of defensive depth to make it anywhere in the playoffs, and we haven’t had injuries affect our D much yet.

As for Tre, all of the bottom D contracts were all negotiated independently with different players and agents who are all in different negotiating situations. I don’t see the differences in contracts as meaning much about intentions and favorites between the guys battling for the bottom D spots. All you can do is sign the best possible roster in summer, then manage your roster in-season as well as possible to deal with the chaos that comes in-season. There’s always players that step up and players who falter on a team once the season starts.

Valimaki may be used as a trade chip. Valimaki may eventually not fit on the Flames. I just don’t see any evidence to think Valimaki has fallen out of favour anywhere in all of this right now. I don’t see proof of anything other than a young #7 D trying to find his way into the top 6, with coaching and management trying to help him get there.

[Geeoff]

I think that Sutter is just doing for Valimaki what he did for Kylington hoping to get the same result