Before we get to the post-game review, u/Accomplished_Ad3460 on reddit found and google translated this recent article from Finnish sports publisher, Ilta-Sanomat. It’s an interview with Flames defenseman Jusso Valimaki. The 23 year old former first round draft pick is frustrated with his situation outside of the lineup. The translation isn’t perfect, but it’s worth a quick read. Comments on the situation below the quote.
The article can be found
here, but it’s in Finnish.
Juuso Välimäki is puzzled by his situation in Calgary.
Välimäki, 23, watched his teammates play from the upper lofts of Scotiabank Arena.
The situation is already becoming unfortunate for the Nokia born. He has already watched seven Flames matches from the pipe shelf.
“There have been so many games in recent years I've missed due to injuries that now it feels pretty stupid that I am healthy and would be able to play, but the opportunity is not given, Välimäki says.
“It's not nice. I think I would deserve to play and I played so well that I should be in the lineup.”
Välimäki, who signed a two-year extension to Calgary in the summer played in the first seven matches of the season.
“I think the games went really well. I’ve also received feedback from many different directions that my play has looked much better compared to last year.”
Calgary had a five game winning streak when Välimäki was suddenly moved aside.
“Your assistant said don't think too much about this, just be ready to play the next game.
A couple of weeks later they are still in the same situation.”
Välimäki has not received an explanation for his special treatment.
“No clear reason has been given, although I have tried to obtain information.”
Hired by Calgary in the middle of last year’s four-year coaching break, Sutter passed Välimäki to the auditorium from time to time back in last spring.
“It was the same story last season. In the back end of that season we no longer even had a stake in the games, but I was still in the stands at times.
I thought that would be the end of it, and that's what it looked like at the beginning of the season. But no.”
I think many Flames fans are frustrated with how Jusso’s development has gone. While he has improved on last year, he’s still not looking any better than your run-of-the-mill third pairing defenceman. You could argue that the Gudbranson-Zadorov pairing provides an element of intimidation that Valimaki just can’t provide.
Loaning him back to Ilves in the Finnish Liiga wouldn’t be the worst course of action. He was loaned prior to the 20-21 regular season and put up dominant numbers — 19 points in 19 games.
While some may argue that his development may be affected by leaving the NHL, I don’t see that being the issue. Valimaki already has the tools to be a top four defenseman in the NHL. His current problem is two C words — confidence and consistency.
A great example of another player who faced this situation is winger Jesse Puljujarvi of the Oilers. He too showed dominance in the Liiga, but just couldn’t put it together in the NHL. A season rebuilding his game and confidence and he looks like an entirely different player.
Another example of this type of career move comes to mind. The player found himself doghoused by Darryl Sutter; unable to play above the third pairing. He was a defenseman too. He took a year playing first line minutes for Dynamo Moskva in the now renamed (KHL) Russian Superelite League. In the 2018-19 NHL season he won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL. He’s currently the captain of the Seattle Kraken.
Vs. the Leafs
The Calgary Flames lost what was, in many people’s minds, their most exciting game of the 21-22 campaign last night in overtime. While it was discouraging to see the Leafs tie it up with minutes left on the clock and then cap it with time dwindling in overtime — you have to be impressed with the defensive performance the Flames put up.
Shutting down Toronto for the majority of three periods when their stars are at their best is something worth recognition. Goaltender Dan Vladar deserves a ton of credit, but the rest of the roster keeping pace at the end of a back-to-back is remarkable as well.
Kyl-er instinct
If you weren’t blown away by the game #58 on defence had last night — you probably weren’t watching. Oliver was an X-factor. His night was highlighted with a beautiful give-and-go to get the Flames a 1-0 lead — as well as a big turnover the led to the Leafs tying it 1-1.
While those plays will be brought up conveniently to summarize his game, he did so much more. His speed was instrumental in keeping the score at 0-0 for two and a half periods. Oliver Kylington was flying last night.
With the goal 4:55 into the third, Kylington has two goals and seven assists in 13 games.
Vladar
8/9 saves on high danger shots against. 15/16 on mid-danger shots on net. 3/3 on rebound opportunities. .946%. The stats don’t tell the whole story. Vladar looked absolutely sublime last night. The Flames skaters did their best to suppress shots, but Toronto’s offence was ripping howitzers from the slot every few minutes and Vladar held his own magnificently.
The losing won’t continue
The Flames have had a very intensive schedule. The Flames played three games in four nights since the ninth. Only getting Wednesday off. They get at least every second day off until Dec 30-31. With questions surrounding why Duehr hasn’t played yet, it may be a lack of practice time with the team. As displayed last night, systems are important and everyone needs to be pulling in the same direction.
The Flames catch the COVID ravaged Senators tomorrow at 3pm MT. On top of missing key personnel from COVID, the Senators are at the tail end of a back-to-back. They play the Penguins today at 5pm MT. Given how things have gone lately, expect a 5-1 Senators win for no good reason.
Trevor Neufeld
Follow me on Twitter @Trevor_Neufeld 
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»