Juuso Valimaki

Juuso Valimaki

27-Year-Old DefensemanD
Carolina Hurricanes
2025 Stats
G
0
A
0
PP Pts
0
+/-
0
PIM
0
2026 Projections
G
A
PP Pts
+/-
PIM
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2026 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Juuso Valimaki in 2026. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
Shoots Left
Height 6'2"
DOB 10/6/1998
Born Tampere, Finland
Drafted 1st Rd, #16 Overall in 2017
Signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Hurricanes in June of 2026.
Back with Carolina
DCarolina Hurricanes
June 24, 2026
Valimaki signed a one-year, $900,000 contract with the Hurricanes on Wednesday.
ANALYSIS
Valimaki signed a two-year deal in the SHL on Tuesday, but it appears the Hurricanes were able to lure him back to North America. He had 23 points in 27 AHL regular-season games as well as 14 points in 21 playoff outings. Valimaki could be some experienced insurance on the blue line after reports emerged Wednesday that the Hurricanes might dangle Alexander Nikishin on the trade market. That said, Valimaki would likely spend at least part of 2026-27 in the AHL again, which would require him to pass through waivers.
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2025–26 Time On Ice Stats
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2023–24
19:06
1:05
0:43
2024–25
16:33
0:15
1:02
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
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2019
Valimaki accounted for two goals, three assists, 40 shots on net, 49 blocked shots and 23 hits across 43 regular-season appearances with Utah in 2024-25. He also spent some time as a healthy scratch before landing on waivers in late February. Valimaki lost his spot in the lineup when the team got defenders back from the injury list. He sustained a season-ending knee injury shortly after heading to the minors, resulting in surgery to repair a torn ACL. Valimaki received a timetable of 8-9 months for his recovery, which could result in him being out until at least early November. Once he’s healthy, he could report to the AHL to shake off the rust, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be promptly recalled once he’s back up to speed. If Valimaki sees time in the NHL, he should be a solid source of blocks.
Despite a disappointing 2023-24 campaign, Utah HC decided to give Valimaki a two-year, $4 million contract this offseason. The club will be banking on the defenseman returning to being the player who notched 34 points in 78 games during his first year with Arizona rather than last season's 17-point performer. A significant factor in Valimaki's decreased offensive numbers was his productivity with the man advantage -- he went from 12 power-play points in 2022-23 to just four in 2023-24. Even if he does rediscover his scoring touch, Valimaki doesn't offer enough in other categories to make him more than a deep-league fantasy target.
After struggling to find a regular role with the Flames, Valimaki was impressive during his first season in Arizona. He tallied four goals and 30 assists, including 11 power-play assists, while averaging 18:11 of ice time through 78 games. Prior to the 2022-23 campaign, he averaged just 15:29 of ice time with 16 points in 82 games with Calgary. Valimaki finished seventh on the Coyotes in points and led all blueliners. Most of his production came later in the season; he scored 22 points while averging 22:35 of ice time over his final 32 contests. He's not very physical, be he did block 98 shots while adding 59 PIM. It wouldn't be unreasonable to think Valimaki can maintain roughly a half-point-per-game pace in his age-25 campaign as he's seemingly cemented himself in Arizona's top-four.
Valimaki looked like a potential top-four defenseman for the Flames early in his professional career, but injuries have derailed his development and he's never been able to get back on track. He played just nine games with Calgary (two assists) last season, instead playing most of the year (35 games) with the team's AHL affiliate in Stockton. The Finn will play the entirety of this upcoming season at age 24, so time is still on his side, but as it stands it appears Valimaki will serve as Calgary's No. 7 defenseman, meaning he's going to find himself in the press box most nights unless a teammate suffers an injury.
Valimaki finally remained (mostly) healthy a season ago, dressing in 49 of Calgary's 56 regular-season games. He posted 11 points during that span in addition to a minus-2 rating while averaging just 15:26 of ice time per game, including just 0:14 per night with the man advantage. The good news for Valimaki is he's expected to see a significant bump in ice time following the departure of Flames captain Mark Giordano to the Kraken in the expansion draft. Rasmus Andersson ran Calgary's top power-play unit most of last season and struggled in that role, so it'll be interesting to see if Valimaki gets a shot in that spot at some point during the upcoming campaign.
Valimaki's recovery from an ACL injury kept him off the ice for all of the 2019-20 season. The Finn has struggled with health since he was drafted in the first round in 2017 by the Flames. However, he's picked up playing time in his native Finland while awaiting the start of the 2020-21 season in North America. All signs point to Valimaki filling an NHL role this year, although how much playing time the 22-year-old will receive is uncertain. He's certainly an intriguing name to keep an eye on in dynasty formats, but Valimaki may still be a year or two away from widespread fantasy relevance. A positive year would see him produce at a 20-point pace or better.
Valimaki got his first taste of NHL action last season, notching a goal and two helpers in 24 regular-season contests before adding one assist in two playoff games. The 20-year-old may have spent even more time with the big club had he not dealt with an ankle injury which ended up costing him a significant portion of the campaign. In the minors, the Finn recorded four goals and 10 assists in 20 games, exhibiting why the Flames were willing to spend the 16th overall pick on him in 2017. Unfortunately, Valimaki suffered an ACL injury during offseason training and will miss nearly all of the 2019-20 campaign as a result. However, he's still viewed as a potential top-pairing defenseman, making him worth a stash in deeper dynasty leagues.
More Fantasy News
Off to SHL
DFree Agent
June 23, 2026
Valimaki signed a two-year contract with Brynas IF of the SHL on Tuesday.
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Tallies twice in AHL loss
DCarolina Hurricanes
June 14, 2026
Valimaki scored two goals in AHL Chicago's 5-4 overtime loss to Toronto in Game 2 of the Calder Cup Finals on Sunday.
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Two goals in AHL win
DCarolina Hurricanes
April 30, 2026
Valimaki scored twice in AHL Chicago's 5-4 overtime win over Texas in Game 2 on Thursday.
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Dealt to Carolina
DCarolina Hurricanes
January 5, 2026
Valimaki was traded to the Hurricanes from the Mammoth on Monday in exchange for future considerations, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.
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Waived for AHL demotion
DUtah Mammoth
December 28, 2025
Valimaki (knee) was placed on waivers Sunday for the purpose of being assigned to AHL Tucson.
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Might be scratched Thursday
DArizona Coyotes
December 21, 2023
Valimaki is projected to be a healthy scratch Thursday against San Jose, per Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.
ANALYSIS
Valimaki has appeared in Arizona's last 10 contests, including the Coyotes' 4-3 win over Ottawa on Tuesday in which he logged 20:56 of ice time. He has six assists, 12 hits and 30 blocks in 25 outings this year.
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