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Forums :: Blog World :: Todd Cordell: On Juuso Valimaki's goal of breaking camp with the Calgary Flames
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Todd Cordell
Location: Barrie, ON
Joined: 02.10.2014

Jul 10 @ 10:51 AM ET
Todd Cordell: On Juuso Valimaki's goal of breaking camp with the Calgary Flames
geta02it
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 11.10.2007

Jul 10 @ 11:01 AM ET
I don't think Kulak is a lock, he's just played well enough to stay. I think Val is in tough for a roster spot giving the fact we have a few guys with similar skill in the wings.

To me Stone is trade bait (or should be) and Kulak, if out played at camp, is at risk. I don't think he's a bad player just saying that if one of the kids (including Valimaki) makes a strong enough case with their play, they WILL get a shot this year.

I'd like to see one of the "kids" make this team out of training camp...
zipfel
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 04.24.2016

Jul 10 @ 11:12 AM ET
The way Flames brass have been talking, its seems like Rasmus Andersson is a lock to make the team this year.
The-O-G
Calgary Flames
Joined: 11.29.2011

Jul 10 @ 11:16 AM ET
Having Kulak at #6 gives the Flames good maneuverability.
DuranDuran
Calgary Flames
Location: Quito
Joined: 09.29.2015

Jul 10 @ 11:42 AM ET
Question,

When is Seattle supposed to come into the league and what were the rules for younger players not being needed to be protected?

Just wondering if the Flames might not want Anderson or Vilimaki playing till next year so as not to have to protect them.
CptnAwsme
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 06.18.2016

Jul 10 @ 11:56 AM ET
Obviously it really depends if they can find someone to take Stone and how they feel kulak stands up against them. But Valimaki is gonna make them make some big decisions. He looked good last year but was still a little small. They said he is up to 210 now and still has all summer to train. In the camp this week he looked like a stud and you could see his talent on full display. (Granted he was playing against young guys and not NHL talent). I think this kid is the real deal and he is gonna make someone sweat and management ponder. Can’t wait for training camp
Redmile247
Calgary Flames
Joined: 03.17.2013

Jul 10 @ 12:14 PM ET
Question,

When is Seattle supposed to come into the league and what were the rules for younger players not being needed to be protected?

Just wondering if the Flames might not want Anderson or Vilimaki playing till next year so as not to have to protect them.

- DuranDuran


I’d rather find out if they are worth protecting ....figure out the rest when time comes
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Jul 10 @ 12:29 PM ET
Prout is pretty much a lock for the 7th defenseman spot. I really don't see a future for Kulak with the Flames. If they can find a way to move Stone, I'd rather see 2 of Välimäki, Andersson, Kylington over Kulak.
tincup
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 07.21.2006

Jul 10 @ 12:38 PM ET
Prout is pretty much a lock for the 7th defenseman spot. I really don't see a future for Kulak with the Flames. If they can find a way to move Stone, I'd rather see 2 of Välimäki, Andersson, Kylington over Kulak.
- Hunkulese


I heard Derek Wills say he thinks Prout will be the captain of the heat.
DuranDuran
Calgary Flames
Location: Quito
Joined: 09.29.2015

Jul 10 @ 12:46 PM ET
Prout is pretty much a lock for the 7th defenseman spot. I really don't see a future for Kulak with the Flames. If they can find a way to move Stone, I'd rather see 2 of Välimäki, Andersson, Kylington over Kulak.
- Hunkulese


Kulak as the sweetener in a Brouwer salary dump?
LittleBroDougie
Calgary Flames
Joined: 03.03.2017

Jul 10 @ 12:54 PM ET
If I had to guess I'd say Kulak and Andersson start with the team, while Vali goes to Stockton. If he continues to excel in the AHL come TDL, Stone will be traded.

Otherwise I can see them playing out this year with a Stone, Kulak, Andersson rotation. BT wants depth which isn't surprising considering the collapse due to injuries last year. Not to mention, 19yo is still really young for a defensive prospect.

The latter seems more likely to me.
LittleBroDougie
Calgary Flames
Joined: 03.03.2017

Jul 10 @ 12:56 PM ET
In other news... Mason is being rumoured as a good fit for the flames as a 2b goalie with either Gillies/Rittich. Can't say I like the sounds of that
geta02it
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 11.10.2007

Jul 10 @ 12:59 PM ET
In other news... Mason is being rumoured as a good fit for the flames as a 2b goalie with either Gillies/Rittich. Can't say I like the sounds of that
- LittleBroDougie

Sweet Heyzues no...
I do believe the bring in "experience to back up" but I'll suggest my kid before Mason.
geta02it
Calgary Flames
Location: AB
Joined: 11.10.2007

Jul 10 @ 1:08 PM ET
If I had to guess I'd say Kulak and Andersson start with the team, while Vali goes to Stockton. If he continues to excel in the AHL come TDL, Stone will be traded.

Otherwise I can see them playing out this year with a Stone, Kulak, Andersson rotation. BT wants depth which isn't surprising considering the collapse due to injuries last year. Not to mention, 19yo is still really young for a defensive prospect.

The latter seems more likely to me.

- LittleBroDougie

Who sits then? We have a history of calling guys up to sit in the press box. I think a decision needs to be made before camp and thats either Stone or Kulak not being here.
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Jul 10 @ 1:08 PM ET
I heard Derek Wills say he thinks Prout will be the captain of the heat.
- tincup


It sure is a lot of money to be giving him if they expect him to be an AHLer all year.
FLAM3SFAN
Calgary Flames
Location: ON
Joined: 03.13.2013

Jul 10 @ 1:17 PM ET
trade stone, if not stick him in the press box as the #7 guy
LittleBroDougie
Calgary Flames
Joined: 03.03.2017

Jul 10 @ 1:37 PM ET
Who sits then? We have a history of calling guys up to sit in the press box. I think a decision needs to be made before camp and thats either Stone or Kulak not being here.
- geta02it


I think it could end up as a rotation. Whichever 2 of the 3 plays the best either together or overall will start on opening night and then they'll play it by ear. If they struggle, bring in the third guy. Personally like to see Andersson and Kulak overall though.
DuranDuran
Calgary Flames
Location: Quito
Joined: 09.29.2015

Jul 10 @ 5:02 PM ET
trade stone, if not stick him in the press box as the #7 guy
- FLAM3SFAN


I do not mind having him in the bottom pairing to show the young guys the tricks of the trade.

T¡Find him a new home at the tdl.

Unless the kids absolutely show that they are a better option than him.
rmull905
Calgary Flames
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jul 10 @ 6:02 PM ET
It sure is a lot of money to be giving him if they expect him to be an AHLer all year.
- Hunkulese


$800k? That's less than many ELCs...
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Jul 10 @ 7:06 PM ET
$800k? That's less than many ELCs...
- rmull905


Most AHL contracts are under 100k. Why give him a one-way contract if he's not going to be in the NHL?
Chucky
Calgary Flames
Location: DUNCAN, BC
Joined: 06.14.2016

Jul 10 @ 7:36 PM ET
For Valimaki to make it he will need to be exceptional. He is penciled in as Giordano's replacement as the #1 in a few years and it is hard to see how he gets enough ice time on the third pair.

Unless they trade Stone the starting lineup is
Gio Brodie
Hanifin Hamonic
Kulak Anderson
Stone
K-man25
Calgary Flames
Location: K Town
Joined: 09.02.2014

Jul 10 @ 8:43 PM ET
trade stone, if not stick him in the press box as the #7 guy
- FLAM3SFAN

Webers out trade Stone to montreal
Maverick0304
Calgary Flames
Location: Calgary, AB
Joined: 12.02.2014

Jul 10 @ 10:07 PM ET
I hope the flames have learned from past mistakes and dress the best possible team. We all fall in love with players, and i get it! But when thier hearts get in the way of good hockey decisions. If Kulak cant make the team, trade him. If Gillies cant make the team, trade him... When Brower cant make the team..... oh yah, no one will take him so kinda fracked on that one.
rmull905
Calgary Flames
Joined: 02.27.2007

Jul 11 @ 12:16 AM ET
Most AHL contracts are under 100k. Why give him a one-way contract if he's not going to be in the NHL?
- Hunkulese


Likely because he's insurance as you mentioned, he's NHL capable and is more likely to play at least a couple of games. If you're gonna burn that contract number anyways, might as well do it for a guy will come up and pound a couple of guys
Hunkulese
Calgary Flames
Location: QC
Joined: 09.30.2006

Jul 11 @ 12:49 AM ET
Likely because he's insurance as you mentioned, he's NHL capable and is more likely to play at least a couple of games. If you're gonna burn that contract number anyways, might as well do it for a guy will come up and pound a couple of guys
- rmull905


Do they really need insurance when they have Välimäki, Andersson, and Kylington ready to go?

I'm pretty sure they gave him the one-way contract to be the 7th guy. Don't have to worry about him not getting enough playing time, is a good guy to have around the team, and can fill in for a game or two if you don't have time to call someone up. Paying him ten times what an AHL player should be making doesn't make a ton of sense. Do you really think anyone else was going to give him a one-way contract?
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