Todd Cordell: Juuso Valimaki's ACL injury hurts in more ways than one

how would you like this guy?

we'll retain 50%

Man that completely sucks.

Please trade for Martin Marincin. All you need to send back is a $5 gift card from Timmies.

Actually, if you take Marincin we will add in the Timmies gift card to make it more palatable for you.

It sucks for everyone, but it's not going to have much impact on the Flames unless someone else has a major injury. Valimaki was barely a part of the team last year and the defence was great. They're bringing back the six guys who played the most last year.

I'm not sure why you have a problem with the Flames' third pairing. Andersson was so good playing on the third pairing last year that people are ready to make him a top-line guy. Andersson and Kylington were one of the better third pairings in the league last year and should hopefully improve this year. Fantenberg was fine, Stone was fine, Prout wasn't completely awful. Valimaki was the only defender last year in the minus. He's still a prospect at this point, and they're not going to miss him.

The Tkachuk thing is a mess now. Their best option is to try and get a two-year deal done and keep the cap hit under 7. Unfortunately, it's probably not a good idea to have to set the bar with a massive Tkachuk contract the year before Gaudreau needs a new deal.

how would you like this guy?

we'll retain 50%


- jimbo83

Sure, but we'll also take Kreider from you and send you back only Frolik and a 2nd round pick.

Deal?

Sure, but we'll also take Kreider from you and send you back only Frolik (25% retained) and a 2nd round pick.

Deal?
- redseerpf

nah brah

nah brah
- jimbo83

Gotta give to get...

Its too bad but was going to be a 5/6 guy this season at best...people are acting like Gio went down

It sucks for everyone, but it's not going to have much impact on the Flames unless someone else has a major injury. Valimaki was barely a part of the team last year and the defence was great. They're bringing back the six guys who played the most last year.

I'm not sure why you have a problem with the Flames' third pairing. Andersson was so good playing on the third pairing last year that people are ready to make him a top-line guy. Andersson and Kylington were one of the better third pairings in the league last year and should hopefully improve this year. Fantenberg was fine, Stone was fine, Prout wasn't completely awful. Valimaki was the only defender last year in the minus. He's still a prospect at this point, and they're not going to miss him.

The Tkachuk thing is a mess now. Their best option is to try and get a two-year deal done and keep the cap hit under 7. Unfortunately, it's probably not a good idea to have to set the bar with a massive Tkachuk contract the year before Gaudreau needs a new deal.
- Hunkulese

I agree, plus I think Yelesin will impress in camp and pose another problem for them when cut time approaches. The guy managed 180 hits on a 200 by 100 sheet of ice, in what 65 games (not sure how long khl seasons are) if he is throwing his body around in preseason and holding his own defensively he could fight for a spot on the 3rd pair, keeping Brodie as possible trade bait. It would be nice for Yusso to get some development but other than that, I don't think it's panic time. If Fro gets moved that frees up enough for Chucky and Mang to get signed...

Its too bad but was going to be a 5/6 guy this season at best...people are acting like Gio went down
- flashfire

It’s just about the kids development, nothing to do with how good he is currently.

It’s just about the kids development, nothing to do with how good he is currently.
- Clyde334

Yup. It does cause a bit of depth question, but not one that is overly challenging to overcome. Kylington would likely be fine in the 6 role, but Flames will want to add a depth piece just in case, but they were likely already on that train with Fantenburg and Prout exiting the org anyways.

Still have Davidson in the A, Valiev, Yelesin if things got desperate. Appreciate Tre would rather have a little more depth at the NHL level, but I'm not panicking at this point.

Now Brad go make my 3 team deal happen and give us something to talk about for the next 6 weeks.

It’s just about the kids development, nothing to do with how good he is currently.
- Clyde334

Yeah I get it...but people are talking about what trades the Flames need to make for dmen like they are desperate or something.

Flames d-core is still rock solid

Yeah I get it...but people are talking about what trades the Flames need to make for dmen like they are desperate or something.

Flames d-core is still rock solid
- flashfire

I'm not saying they should be panicking or making any desperate trades, but they're definitely not rock solid. They have 5.5 NHL level defencemen and then a whole bunch of question marks. The coaches weren't super hot on Kylington at the end of last year and if anyone besides him goes down with a major injury, they're in trouble. They were barely solid with Valimaki.

Yeah I get it...but people are talking about what trades the Flames need to make for dmen like they are desperate or something.

Flames d-core is still rock solid
- flashfire

I thought you needed to make trades to be able to afford Tkchuk's new contract ?

Its too bad but was going to be a 5/6 guy this season at best...people are acting like Gio went down

Before the injury I was telling people that Valimaki would be one of our top 3 dmen by the All-star break. Anyone who thinks this kid would've been a 5/6 guy for us has already forgotten what a beast this kid is.

The injury hurts, but luckily this will give Kylington a chance to prove he belongs above Brodie on the depth chart this year, which I believe he will.

I thought you needed to make trades to be able to afford Tkchuk's new contract ?
- Devilish4

Dealing Frolik should provide enough space to sign Tkachuk and Mangiapane and bring in some d-depth (most likely PTO's).

Before the injury I was telling people that Valimaki would be one of our top 3 dmen by the All-star break. Anyone who thinks this kid would've been a 5/6 guy for us has already forgotten what a beast this kid is.

The injury hurts, but luckily this will give Kylington a chance to prove he belongs above Brodie on the depth chart this year, which I believe he will.
- Saskabush

Exactly, this will give other players and opportunity and hopefully Kylington steps up and shows he's ready to be a full time NHLer. Also a couple of AHLers like Yelesin Valiev etc.. should get a longer look.

I'm not saying they should be panicking or making any desperate trades, but they're definitely not rock solid. They have 5.5 NHL level defencemen and then a whole bunch of question marks. The coaches weren't super hot on Kylington at the end of last year and if anyone besides him goes down with a major injury, they're in trouble. They were barely solid with Valimaki.
- Hunkulese

lol seriously? Flames D is solid...top 4 is great

Very few teams have the defensive depth as Calgary...how many teams have a Brodie as 5/6

lol seriously? Flames D is solid...top 4 is great

Very few teams have the defensive depth as Calgary...how many teams have a Brodie as 5/6
- flashfire

Well, the Flames don't have a Brodie as a 5/6. They have a Brodie as a 2.

When they had Valimaki and Stone they were rock solid and could have overcome multiple injuries to pretty much anyone and been fine. Now, any regression from both their second-year guys and they're in trouble. They're also in pretty big trouble if anyone from the top 4 gets injured.

Let's say Valimaki is going to miss 60 games. They'll probably be perfectly fine and won't miss him if the six guys they have play at least 55 games each. What are the chances of that happening? They are definitely not rock solid at the moment.

Yeah the thing with today's game is you can't afford a weak piece anywhere. Fourth liners should be solid 2-way players, and 3rd pairing D can't be a liability. We as Flames fans also have very high expectations... so let's not forget that.