SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The Utah Hockey Club has officially placed defenseman Juuso Valimaki on waivers as of Sunday, January 28, 2025. The 26-year-old Finnish player has struggled this season, putting up just five points over 43 games. After averaging 16:33 of ice time, his contributions dwindled during the past weeks as he fell out of favor with the coaching staff.
This waiver move follows Valimaki’s brief absence from the ice due to the successful return of teammates John Marino and Sean Durzi from injuries. Valimaki’s unclaimed status on waivers will allow the Utah Hockey Club to potentially reassign him to their AHL affiliate, the Tucson Roadrunners, should he clear. This could also provide some financial relief, as Utah can bury $1.25 million of his contract if assigned to the AHL.
Valimaki, drafted 16th overall by the Calgary Flames during the 2017 NHL Draft, saw his best season last year with the Arizona Coyotes, amassing 34 points within 78 games. Hopes were high for the young defenseman after he was initially claimed off waivers by the Coyotes, where he thrived under more significant ice time and responsibilities. Since then, he has found his way to Utah with its recent relocation from Arizona.
Over this current season, Valimaki's performance has considerably waned. Reports indicate he has fallen victim to the team's depth strategies and changing dynamics within the lineup. Valimaki only has scored two goals and three assists, landing him with negative plus/minus statistics (-5) this season. Recently, he has been absent from the lineup, serving as a healthy scratch for the past eight games. During this time, Valimaki was selected for Team Finland for the 4 Nations Face-Off, yet did not participate, which raised some eyebrows considering his previous contributions.
The decision to place Valimaki on waivers is partly influenced by his lack of productivity; he struggled with both offensive and defensive play, which was not what the team initially envisioned. This substantial decline leads many to question whether he will attract interest from other franchises needing added defensive depth, especially with the NHL Trade Deadline approaching and teams ready to make big decisions.
With his current contract of $2 million cap hit left for one more season, teams might hesitate to claim him due to his performance downturn. Experts suggest his previous skills as an offensive two-way defender and his high draft status might simply not be enough to draw other teams' interests at this time.
Interestingly, Valimaki's offensive upside was stirring excitement during his initial entry to the NHL. He was seen as having the potential for versatility and high offensive output; phrases such as 'top pairing upside' were attached to him due to his size and skating ability. But over the years, those expectations didn't bear the expected fruits of success, as he continually fell short of the major league potential depicted during his draft selection.
The Utah Hockey Club, currently sitting fifth in the tightly competitive Central Division with a 24-24-9 record, faces its own pressures to bolster the roster. The club is only six points from the last Wild Card spot, so each roster decision matters significantly at this stage.
If Valimaki clears waivers, efforts will be made to transition him back to the Tucson Roadrunners. Such decisions are not uncommon within the NHL as franchises reassess their roster needs based on performance and overall strategy.
Valimaki’s case presents opportunities for both him and the organization. If he can find his footing again by working with the Roadrunners, perhaps the offensive prowess once expected of him can emerge, and he can carve out more significant contributions for Utah moving forward.
For now, all eyes will be on the waiver wire as the Utah Hockey Club and its loyal fanbase await to see if Valimaki’s name will be called or if he will remain part of the roster moving on.