The Calgary Flames signed Finnish defenseman Jusso Valimaki to a three-year, entry-level contract on Friday.
Valimaki, 18, was the 16th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Draft. He was selected in that spot after a nice year with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, scoring 61 points in 60 regular-season games and then added an assist in four playoff contests. He also played for the Tri-City Americans in 2015-16, putting up 32 points in 56 games.
Apparently he’s capable of at least one nifty shootout move, too:
People are pondering how Valimaki may fit into the Flames at the end of a three-year window Johnny Gaudreau recently cited. That seems a little far-reaching, although this nugget makes you wonder if Calgary might want to drag a little extra value out of his rookie deal:
With late birthday/signing date, Valimaki gets free ELC year in 18-19 if he doesn't exceed 9 NHL games in either of next 2 seasons. #Flames
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) July 21, 2017
Interesting. Either way, the Flames locked up a future piece, whether he can make an NHL impact sooner or later.