JUUSO VALIMAKI NEWS

Healthy scratch Saturday Valimaki was a healthy scratch Saturday against the Kings.

Impact Valimaki has no points in eight games so far, and he's seen his ice time drop from 22:30 to 17:43 over the last four games. He's minus-7 in that span. Valimaki had seemingly turned around his queasy defensive play last season, but he's really struggled out of the gate. The view from the media box will give him a different perspective on what he needs to do when he returns to the lineup. Valimaki has a 34-point season under his belt, but he will need to step things up significantly to make a fantasy impact this year.

OCTOBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Re-ups with Utah Valimaki signed a two-year contract with Utah on Saturday.

Impact Per PuckPedia, the deal carries a $2 million cap hit. Valimaki took a step back on offense last year with 17 points over 68 contests, a year removed from a 34-point campaign. Part of the decrease can be explained by a reduced power-play role, and Valimaki also improved from minus-10 in 2022-23 to plus-12 in 2023-24, showing improved defense. The 25-year-old is likely to fill a bottom-four role for Utah.

JUNE 29 • ROTOWIRE

Contributes assist in win Valimaki supplied an assist, two hits and three blocked shots in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Oilers.

Impact Valimaki picked up three helpers over the last nine games of the campaign. The 25-year-old defenseman's play took a step back this year with 17 points through 68 appearances. He shored up his defense a bit with a plus-12 rating and 90 blocked shots. Valimaki is set for restricted free agency this summer. The team has no NHL-level defensemen under contract for 2024-25, but it has five RFAs to negotiate with.

APRIL 18 • ROTOWIRE

Chips in with helper Valimaki provided an assist, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 8-5 loss to the Rangers.

Impact Valimaki snapped a nine-game point drought when he set up Logan Cooley's third-period tally. It's been a tough year for Valimaki, who has 15 points, 61 shots on net, 72 blocked shots, 57 hits and a plus-8 rating over 60 appearances. He remains a constant in the lineup, but he typically sees bottom-four minutes and his power-play time is sporadic.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Produces assist in Friday's win Valimaki recorded an assist, three shots on goal and a plus-3 rating in Friday's 4-0 win over the Red Wings.

Impact Valimaki has four helpers over his last eight games while adding a plus-3 rating and 13 shots on net in that span. The 25-year-old defenseman could see an uptick in playing time with Troy Stecher dealt to the Oilers at the trade deadline. Valimaki's fantasy upside remains limited since he sees almost no power-play time. He has 14 points, 49 shots on net, 47 hits, 52 blocked shots and an even plus-minus rating over 50 appearances.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Puts up helper Sunday Valimaki notched an assist and two hits in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Capitals on Sunday.

Impact Valimaki has a helper in three of his last five games. The 25-year-old defenseman is starting to find his way on offense against, but he remains in a bottom-four role with virtually no power-play time. He's produced 13 points, 42 shots on net, 44 hits, 49 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 47 outings this season.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Notches assist in loss Valimaki recorded an assist, two shots on goal and two hits in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Maple Leafs.

Impact Valimaki posted five points over 11 outings in February, easily his most productive month of the campaign. He's also logging steady bottom-four minutes, though that hasn't come with power-play time lately. Valimaki is up to 12 points, 41 shots on net, 41 hits, 47 blocked shots and a minus-3 rating over 45 appearances as he struggles to replicate the form that saw him produce 34 points a season ago.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

Pockets helper Valimaki notched an assist and two shots on goal in Sunday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Jets.

Impact Valimaki snapped a four-game slump when he set up a Matias Maccelli tally in the second period. The 25-year-old Valimaki has five points over his last 13 outings while seeing mostly bottom-four usage on the Coyotes' blue line during the team's 12-game losing streak. For the season, he has 11 points, 38 shots on net, 39 hits, 46 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating over 43 appearances.

FEBRUARY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Registers assist Valimaki notched an assist in Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the Wild.

Impact The 25-year-old defenseman has three points over four games since the All-Star break. Valimaki has largely underwhelmed in 2023-24, but his recent play suggests he might have turned a corner. He's at 10 points, 32 shots on net, 33 hits, 43 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 38 appearances in a bottom-four role.

FEBRUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Lights lamp Saturday Valimaki scored a goal on two shots and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Predators.

Impact Valimaki put the Coyotes ahead 3-2 early in the third period. The 25-year-old defenseman is starting to find his way on offense with three points over his last six games, a run that should also help him fend off Josh Brown's challenge for playing time on the third pairing. Valimaki is up to two goals, nine points, 30 shots on net, 28 hits, 42 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 36 appearances this season.

FEBRUARY 11 • ROTOWIRE

Posts helper in loss Valimaki logged an assist and two shots on goal in Thursday's 3-2 loss to the Golden Knights.

Impact Valimaki set up a Jason Zucker tally in the first period. This was Valimaki's second point over five contests since he returned from a six-game stint as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old defenseman has just eight points with 28 shots on net, 40 blocked shots, 26 hits and a minus-2 rating through 35 outings overall. He should stick in the lineup most of the time, but he could be rotated out at times depending on the play of Michael Kesselring and Josh Brown.

FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Nets first goal in return Valimaki scored a goal on his lone shot in Monday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

Impact After serving as a healthy scratch in Arizona's prior six contests, Valimaki notched his first goal of the season in his return to the lineup Monday, beating Tristan Jarry from the slot to put the Coyotes ahead 2-1 in the second period. It's the first point for Valimaki since Dec. 12 -- he's now up to seven points through 31 games this season. It's been a disappointing campaign overall for the 25-year-old blueliner, as he looked poised to take a step forward following a 34-point (four goals, 30 assists) campaign in 2022-23. Still, Valimaki could have a chance to turn his season around, as he'll remain in the lineup with Troy Stecher (lower body) expected to miss the next four-to-six weeks.

JANUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting amid slump Valimaki has been scratched for four straight games after sitting out versus the Flames on Tuesday.

Impact Valiamki was also scratched twice in December amid his eight-game point drought. It's a significant concern the 25-year-old wasn't able to draw in against his former team Tuesday, even with the Coyotes dressing seven defensemen. Valimaki has just six assists with 35 blocked shots, 25 shots on net and an even plus-minus rating over 30 appearances.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Snags power-play assist Valimaki recorded a power-play assist in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Penguins.

Impact Valimaki has two helpers over his last three games, but that's all of his offense across seven contests since he returned from a mouth injury. The 25-year-old defenseman continues to hold down a top-four role with time on the second power-play unit, but his offense hasn't been very impressive this season. He's at six assists, 14 shots on net, 26 blocked shots and a minus-2 rating through 22 outings.

DECEMBER 13, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Delivers helper Valimaki put up an assist in Saturday's 5-3 loss to the Bruins.

Impact Valimaki helped out on a Clayton Keller goal early in the second period. This was Valimaki's first point in five games since he returned from a mouth injury. The point drought stood at 10 contests overall when accounting for his dry spell before the absence. Despite his lack of offense, the 25-year-old continues to feature on the second power-play unit, even with Janis Moser playing better hockey of late. Valimaki is at five assists, 13 shots on net, 25 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through 20 appearances.

DECEMBER 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to action Thursday Valimaki (mouth) will return to the lineup Thursday versus Colorado, according to Leah Merrall of PHNX Sports.

Impact Valimaki has missed the last six games since taking a puck to the mouth versus the Stars on Nov. 14. Valimaki has only four assists in 15 games with three coming on the power play. With the blueliner back in action, he should reclaim his spot with the man advantage, which will likely drop Janis Moser from the power play.

NOVEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Tuesday Valimaki (mouth) won't play Tuesday against Tampa Bay, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Impact Valimaki took part in Monday's practice, sporting a full shield to protect his surgically-repaired mouth. He hasn't played since taking a shot to the face against Dallas on Nov. 14. Valimaki has generated four assists, 10 shots on goal and 20 blocked shots across 15 outings this season.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes surgery Valimaki underwent surgery to the mouth area after being struck by the puck during Tuesday's game against Dallas, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports Thursday.

Impact It's not clear how long Valimaki will need to recover, but he's in Phoenix while his teammates are set to play in Columbus on Thursday. The 25-year-old has four assists, seven hits and 20 blocks in 15 contests this year. Michael Kesselring is projected to draw into the lineup while Valimaki is absent.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Will miss time Valimaki (face) is expected to miss time after taking a puck to the face Tuesday versus the Stars, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Impact No official move has been made yet, but it sounds like Valimaki could be a candidate for injured reserve. Morgan adds Vladislav Kolyachonok may be called up to replace Valimaki on the roster if such a move happens.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Can't finish contest Valimaki (face) left Tuesday's game versus the Stars after he was struck by a puck, and he was still being evaluated after the contest, Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports reports.

Impact Valimaki left the ice bleeding after taking a puck up high. The defenseman has gone six games without a point, so an injury is the last thing he needs as he looks to get back on track. If he can't play Thursday in Columbus, Michael Kesselring will likely enter the lineup.

NOVEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Supplies helper Valimaki posted an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Impact Valimaki ended a three-game point drought when he helped out on Lawson Crouse's second-period tally. Through nine outings, Valimaki has four helpers, six shots on net, 12 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The 25-year-old has played in a bottom-four role while also seeing time on the second power-play unit.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Supplies helper Valimaki posted an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Ducks.

Impact Valimaki ended a three-game point drought when he helped out on Lawson Crouse's second-period tally. Through nine outings, Valimaki has four helpers, six shots on net, 12 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The 25-year-old has played in a bottom-four role while also seeing time on the second power-play unit.

NOVEMBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns power-play assist Valimaki registered a power-play assist in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Ducks.

Impact Valimaki has three power-play helpers over the last two games. He saw a season-low 15:50 of ice time while skating on the third pairing in Saturday's contest. Nonetheless, he'll have some fantasy value as long as he sticks on the second power-play unit. Valimaki also has three shots on goal, three hits, two blocked shots and a minus-1 rating through five contests this season.

OCTOBER 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two helpers in win Valimaki tallied a pair of assists in Thursday's 6-2 win over St. Louis.

Impact Both of Valimaki's assists came on the power play, setting up Nick Bjugstad's opening tally in the first period and Jason Zucker's in the third. It's the first two points of the year for Valimaki after a solid 2022-23 campaign, where he posted four goals and 30 assists in 78 games. The 25-year-old blueliner is averaging 19:41 of ice time through Arizona's first four games while logging time on the second power-play unit.

OCTOBER 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches 30-assist mark Valimaki notched an assist and two hits in Saturday's 5-4 overtime win over the Ducks.

Impact Valimaki picked a great time for his 30th assist of the campaign, helping out on Barrett Hayton's game-winning goal in overtime. The helper was Valimaki's first point through four games in April. The defenseman has 34 points, 91 shots on net, 93 blocked shots, 59 PIM and a minus-12 rating through 76 contests overall.

APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE