Välimäki will make his Coyotes' debut a week after being claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old Finnish defenseman will be taking the spot of Scott Timmins who is day-to-day with an injury. Through 82 career games, he has three goals and 16 points to go along with 48 PIMs.
Valimaki was a first-round pick in 2017 and has collected 16 points (3G / 13A) in 82 career NHL games with the Flames. Last season he spent most of the year in Stockton (AHL), where he had 18 points (2G / 16A) in 35 games. In Arizona, he should be able to land a role on the third pairing.
With Sean Monahan landing on LTIR over the weekend, the Flames have some new-found cap space. They used the room to recall Valimaki and Adam Ruzicka from the AHL. Valimaki has two goals and 15 assists (17 points) in 30 games with Stockton this season.
The Flames D-depth took a hit in August when Valimaki suffered a torn ACL. Michael Stone was signed on Wednesday to help fill that void. Stone and Oscar Kylington will likely battle for the sixth spot to open the 2020 season. Best case scenario, Valimaki returns late in the season and is ready for the playoffs.
Valimaki missed Sunday’s game in Arizona and is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks with a lower-body injury. With Valimaki and Michael Stone out, Oliver Kylington is expected to remain in the Flames lineup moving forward.
Valimaki has one goal and 11 shots on goal in nine games with the Flames this season. With Travis Hamonic (face) ready to return tonight, Valimaki will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
Valimaki is a mobile defenseman that oozes with offensive ability. The Finnish blueliner piled up 61 points (19G / 42A) in 60 games with the Tri-City Americans—good for fourth on the team. He’ll bring a lot of high-octane offence to the Flames blueline in the future.
