Valimaki has not played since November 18th but will draw back into the lineup on Friday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 26-year-old Valimaki is averaging 17:00 time-on-ice and has zero points while recording 16 blocks and seven hits through 16 games.
Valimaki was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Robert Bortuzzo will enter the lineup in his place.
Valimaki will re-enter Utah's lineup on Wednesday as the team will opt to go with an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation. Valimaki has not played the last two games and has zero points and a -5 plus/minus in eight outings this season.
Valimaki will draw into the lineup on Monday in favour of Troy Stecher, who will be a healthy scratch. Valimaki has been out of the lineup for the last six games and has only six points (0G / 6A) in 30 games, a substantial decline from the 34 points (4G / 30A) he had in 78 games last season.
Valimaki will be the odd-man out on Tuesday as Michael Kesselring draws back into the lineup. Valimaki has no goals and six assists in 30 games this season.
J.J. Moser will not play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury, allowing Valimaki to re-enter the lineup. Valimaki last played on December 19th, recording two penalty minutes, two shots, and one hit in 20:56 time-on-ice.
Valimaki was second among Coyotes' defensemen in TOI last game with 20:56 but will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. San Jose as Sean Durzi returns from a three-game absence. The 25-year-old Valimaki has yet to score this season but has six assists, 17 SOG, six PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 25 games played.
Valimaki will play his first game since November 14th, when he took a puck to the face. Before his injury, Valimaki skated predominantly alongside Troy Stecher and recorded four points (0G / 4A) in 15 games while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.
Valimaki exited the ice under his power immediately after taking a Jani Hakanpaa slapshot directly to the face, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Unfortunately for Valimaki and the Coyotes, it appears to be a significant injury. Valimaki has played in all 15 games for the Coyotes, tallying four points (0G / 4A) and 10 shots while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.
Valimaki was acquired earlier in the season off waivers from Calgary and has earned himself a 1-year, $1 million contract extension. The 24-year-old has two goals, 10 assists, 41 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -10 plus/minus through 43 games this season.
Valimaki will head to the press box as a healthy scratch Friday after getting a goal, five assists and 12 PIMs through 20 games this season.
Välimäki will make his Coyotes' debut a week after being claimed off waivers from the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old Finnish defenseman will be taking the spot of Scott Timmins who is day-to-day with an injury. Through 82 career games, he has three goals and 16 points to go along with 48 PIMs.
Valimaki was a first-round pick in 2017 and has collected 16 points (3G / 13A) in 82 career NHL games with the Flames. Last season he spent most of the year in Stockton (AHL), where he had 18 points (2G / 16A) in 35 games. In Arizona, he should be able to land a role on the third pairing.
With Sean Monahan landing on LTIR over the weekend, the Flames have some new-found cap space. They used the room to recall Valimaki and Adam Ruzicka from the AHL. Valimaki has two goals and 15 assists (17 points) in 30 games with Stockton this season.
