Utah Hockey Club Places Juuso Valimaki on Waivers

Today, the Utah Hockey Club announced that they have placed defenseman Juuso Valimaki on waivers. Valimaki has been with the Utah/Arizona franchise since they claimed him off waivers from the Calgary Flames during the ’21-’22 season.

Juuso Valimaki Stats & Salary Cap

Valimaki only has five points in 43 games with Utah this season, a significant decline in production. Valimaki’s career-high points came with the Coyotes during the ’22-’23 season with four goals and 30 assists. While Valimaki only has a $2m AAV, if he is unclaimed, Utah can bury $1.25m on his cap hit if he’s assigned to the AHL.

With teams looking to add depth defense heading into the Trade Deadline and the low cost of adding Valimaki, it will be intriguing to see if he is claimed.

Valimaki is returning to Utah after competing for Team Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off, where he was a healthy scratch for all three games. When drafted, Valimaki was an ‘offensive two-way defenseman with size and skating, top pairing upside’ that hasn’t come to fruition in his six NHL seasons.

ITR 31: Let Them Fight – Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris to discuss WHL expansion, Thatcher Demko returning from IR, Gabe Viladri out week-to-week, Gabriel Landeskog a full practice participant, and the NHL referees stopping a goalie fight. Join in on all this and MUCH more!

1. ITR 31: Let Them Fight 01:03:52
2. ITR 30: Down The Stretch 59:42
3. ITR 29: Trade Deadline Review 01:02:40
4. ITR 28: Deadline Week 44:07
5. ITR 27: Trade Season Begins 01:07:33