Feb. 24: Välimäki cleared waivers, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. The team’s Craig Morgan confirms he’ll report to AHL Tucson.
Feb. 23: The Utah Hockey Club’s return to health on the blue line has led to some difficult roster decisions, notably losing defenseman Vladislav Kolyachonok on waivers to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Today, the team will attempt to send defenseman Juuso Välimäki through waivers, per a team announcement.
It’s not an unfamiliar situation for the former 16th overall selection of the 2017 NHL Draft. Välimäki was claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames at the beginning of the 2022-23 season by the Arizona Coyotes and has remained with the team through their move to Salt Lake City, UT.
At the time, the Coyotes appeared to have the steal of the season on the waiver wire after Välimäki broke out for four goals and 30 assists in 78 games in his first year with the organization. Arizona was uniquely positioned to allow Välimäki into a top-four role with the club — something the Flames couldn’t do at the time. Unfortunately, the Tampere, Finland native didn’t respond as well with increased responsibility last year.
He improved defensively as evidenced by his +12 rating over 68 appearances and career-high 92.5% on-ice save percentage at even strength. However, his offensive production was cut in half scoring two goals and 17 points despite increasing his average time on ice by approximately a minute.
This year has brought an even larger drop-off for Välimäki. Although Utah has dealt with multiple injuries on the blue line, Välimäki has seen his average ice time drop by two and a half minutes. Falling offensively and defensively, he’s scored two goals and three assists in 43 games with a -5 rating.
Välimäki’s disappointing output could be a blessing in disguise for Utah should they hope to retain him. Even though he’s making an affordable $2MM this year and next, his production has given that contract a slight negative value meaning other teams may let him pass through unclaimed.
We should take him, too.
Unless that Graves and Desharnais pairing is part of the tanking plan, I guess.
I was thinking the same. Pens have nothing to lose by taking a chance on him
I would love to see the Avs sign Valimaki to waive deHaan.
Valimaki will get scooped up.
If I was the Flyers I would attempt to make a claim.
If he’s not claimed, a bunch of other GMs intelligence should be questioned
Welp!
I’m confused. I guess 2 million was too much.
Would the Flames want him back or possibly the Jets.
The Jets could certainly use him.
Nobody wanted him!
I guess a 2 million contract was too much for teams
Not even Columbus who has space and a need for defense? Especially if Provorov is traded?
I can’t believe a team that might move on from a defender soon didn’t take him…Boston is also light on D right now..
Maybe there is an underlying reason for it.
I’m not saying so…but I also remember Ruzicka.