Utah Places Juuso Valimaki on Waivers

Juuso Valimaki, a defenseman for the Utah Hockey Club, has been placed on waivers after a disappointing season where he recorded only two goals and three assists in 43 games, resulting in a minus-5 rating. The 26-year-old, who was drafted 16th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2017, has seen his performance decline compared to his previous season with the Arizona Coyotes, where he averaged 19:06 of ice time and scored 34 points in 78 games. Valimaki's recent struggles, including being a healthy scratch for Team Finland during the 4 Nations Face-Off, led to this decision. If he clears waivers, he is expected to be assigned to the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League, marking his first AHL appearance since the 2021-22 season. The move allows Utah to explore other roster options while Valimaki seeks to revitalize his career. His future with another team remains uncertain as he looks for an opportunity to showcase his skills.