Juuso Valimaki

Arizona claimed Valimaki off waivers from Calgary on Sunday, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports. Valimaki played in only nine games with the Flames last ...

[NHL](/nhl) appearances. The 24-year-old defender will get a fresh start with the [Coyotes](https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/teams/ARI/arizona-coyotes/). He has three goals and 16 points in 82 career

Juuso Valimaki, who was placed on waivers Saturday by the Calgary Flames, was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes. The 24-year-old played nine games with the Flames ...

- Chris Wagner (BOS) Juuso Valimaki, who was placed on waivers Saturday by the Calgary Flames, was claimed by the Arizona Coyotes. The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Wayne Simmonds, Victor Mete, Kyle Clifford, and Adam Gaudette on waivers.

The Arizona Coyotes have claimed defenseman Juuso Valimaki off waivers from the Calgary Flames, according to multiple reports. Valimaki was the only player ...

The Flames originally selected Valimaki in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.In nine NHL games with Calgary last season, Valimaki averaged 15:42 and had two assists before being demoted to the AHL. He added two assists in 10 playoff games as Stockton reached the AHL Western Conference Finals. He missed much of 2018-19 and the entire 2019-20 campaign due to lower body injuries, including a torn ACL.

Valimaki played in just nine NHL games with the Flames in 2021-22 after being a full-time player in 2020-21, though, and he had 18 points in 35 games with the ...

He was passable as a full-time player in that 2020-21 season, notching 11 points in 46 games and holding his own during what was a tough season for the Flames overall. Valimaki played in just nine NHL games with the Flames in 2021-22 after being a full-time player in 2020-21, though, and he had 18 points in 35 games with the AHL’s Stockton Heat. His role within the organization was slipping under the new Valimaki was the 16th overall selection. He is the only player from yesterday’s waivers complement that failed to clear. [dealt](https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2022/10/edmonton-oilers-acquire-klim-kostin.html) [Klim Kostin](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/kostikl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) to the Edmonton Oilers.

A recap of Juuso Valimaki's career with the Calgary Flames, who's now an Arizona Coyote after being claimed on waivers.

In a new situation, it could be perfect for him to kickstart his career in the right direction. This also allows the team to explore a few more NHL forward options through the start of the season, depending on how the start of the season shakes out. That being said, the Flames gave him plenty of runway to hit that goal, but he just never could. [Mark Giordano](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/g/giordma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-), the opportunity was there for the taking. Already up against a tight cap, and with Kylington’s status murky in terms of cap hit, the Flames needed all the help they could get. Unfortunately that offseason, Valimaki would go on to tear his ACL training which resulted in him missing the entire 2019–20 season for the Flames. Valimaki was always the prospect touted to have a higher ceiling than his actual on-ice production. The Flames were undeterred by the physical setback, still holding Valimaki’s value at “untouchable” back when [assuming they sign Michael Stone to a contract](https://thewincolumn.ca/2022/09/13/michael-stone-is-back-on-a-pto-but-may-not-earn-a-contract/), and keep [Adam Ruzicka](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/r/ruzicad01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) on the NHL roster. This was done while suffering from a high ankle sprain, which limited his appearances. Unfortunately, Valimaki could not seize this with [Oliver Kylington](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/k/kylinol01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) getting the edge, and eventually [Connor Mackey](https://www.hockey-reference.com/players/m/mackeco01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-) [passed him on the depth chart](https://thewincolumn.ca/2022/03/15/connor-mackey-may-have-passed-juuso-valimaki-in-the-calgary-flames-depth-chart/) as well. Taken 16th overall by the Flames in the 2017 NHL draft, Valimaki was supposed to be the next best left-handed defenceman on the Flames roster and a player the franchise could build with for years to come.

In three seasons he's played only 82 NHL games and never caught on with the big club. His best season since becoming a member of the Flames was last year in ...

His best season since becoming a member of the Flames was last year in Stockton where he played in a career high 35 games and collected a career high 18 points. In three seasons he's played only 82 NHL games and never caught on with the big club. A change of scenery might do Valimaki some good as he's been buried in the AHL by Calgary since being drafted.