Juuso Valimaki

Aug 2019 – It was announced that Juuso Valimaki sustained a torn ACL. He will have surgery and will most likely be out until sometime after Christmas. He will need time to recover on ice as well so expect mostly AHL games. Fantasy owners can essentially pencil him out for 2019-20 for fantasy impact. – Joel Henderson

April 2019 – Juuso Valimaki looks to suit up for his first of many future playoff games in Game 4 vs Colorado. Valimaki racked up 14 points in 20 games in the AHL in 2018-19 while immediately becoming their most important piece on the backend. He took over the PP and played heavy minutes and looked dominant on both ends of the ice. Calgary is showing confidence in the youngster by inserting his energy into the lineup because they could have chosen to use Kylington or a vet presence in Prout or Stone. – Joel Henderson

Jan 2019 – Valimaki was sent down to Stockton. Flames currently have depth enough to allow him the right about of minutes as he gets himself back into game shape. There isn’t really a downside for Calgary leaving him in the AHL for a bit. Kylington has spent his fair share of time in the minors and is certainly playing well enough to stay. Valimaki played second-PP minutes in his return to action for Stockton and that can’t hurt. He wouldn’t see those minutes in Calgary – Joel Henderson

Oct 2018 – It appears Juuso Valimaki will sit a game with Travis Hamonic coming back from injury. Mark Giordano and Noah Hanifin are ahead of Valimaki on the left side but through Valimaki’s first nine games, the coach hasn’t sheltered his third-pairing minutes. He has been deployed for an average of 15 mins a night but has been slowly improving. He has had opportunities to show his composure, his fine skating, and his ability to get pucks through on net. Valimaki has a patented blue-line fake which has made many opponents bite. Valimaki has a fine future ahead of him but as long as Giordano and Hanifin healthy not much will change as far as minutes or PP time. What you’ve seen from these first nine games is what you’ll get, and thats just fine. – Joel Henderson

July 2018 – Quite simply, Valimaki took his game to another level during the WHL playoffs. His composure and skating are already at an NHL level. He is a jack of all trades; taking advantage of open ice to draw opponents, creating space for teammates in the offensive zone. During prospect camp, he was night and day the best player. Easily the most NHL ready player the Flames have. He will be done with junior hockey as his pre-season will determine if he’s stealing an NHL spot or playing big minutes in Stockton. – Joel Henderson

Feb 2018 – Valimaki went home to Finland for a bit after the WJC. He’s now returned to Tri-City after dealing with an injury. He’s on a PPG pace for the club which matches his output last year. Tri-City acquired D Jake Bean at the deadline so if they play together we can see how playing with another potential NHLer will affect his production and performance. – Joel Henderson

Dec 2017 – Not only has Valimaki continued to put up a PPG pace in the WHL, but why don’t we add leadership skills to the mix. Juuso has been named to the U20 Finnish team for World Juniors as Team Captain. Valimaki is a big part of the Flames future and could make some of the other defensive assets expendable via trade. Either way, this is where fantasy owners should be placing their bets for the future. While others in the system are potential offensive specialist, this kid could be playing Giordano type minutes some day. He’s been dealing with a lower-body injury lately but should be good-to-go soon enough. – Joel Henderson

March 2017 – Valimaki has better than average size, skating, skill and is one of the older players in the 2017 draft class. His offensive output didn’t materialize at the World Junior for a struggling Team Finland but has been over a point per game producer in his second season in the WHL. Valimaki will excel at the NHL with his speed and ability to carry the puck up ice as well as make exceptional outlet passes. His skating is an asset and in conjunction with his size he plays the prototypical modern day NHL style of game. His offensive vision and skills also project well at higher levels as he sets the pace, thinks the game fast , has a heavy, accurate shot and can run the power play. Defensively he uses his size and skating to eliminate plays and scoring chances but will need some development time at the pro level to round out his overall game. Valimaki is a very reliable prospect to make the NHL and has considerable fantasy value and offensive upside. Peter Harling