Injury Report: Valimaki Torn ACL, Requires Surgery

[Johnny Hoxville]

Kylington will allow us to move on from Brodes. Mark my words.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Still better on one leg than Liljergren.

#imsosurebuddy

 

[Bond]

I was so pumped for Valimaki playing the full season. Hopefully he doesn't get too hurt on his development

 

[GumbyCan2]

I was so pumped for Valimaki playing the full season. Hopefully he doesn't get too hurt on his development

Yes,I'm it sucks for him. He's the one going through the pain and having to fight through it each step. But man-oh-man, I was hoping for big strides from him this upcoming season, and better health. Then this happens. Sour face hash-tagpoopy-pants emojis and all! Big bummer for all!
Wish him the best in recovery and that he gets back to 100%and remains stable then, whenever he is ready!Bring on O. K.! STEP RIGHT UP.

 

[Wings4Life]

Has Valimaki had his ACL surgery yet, any word?

 

[Zirakzigil]

Has Valimaki had his ACL surgery yet, any word?

I believe he had it on a Friday shortly after it was announced? I think he came to Calgary to consult with the Flames medical staff and the surgery happened shortly after that.

 

[Calculon]

No, not yet. They need the swelling to go down.

While it was announced nearly three weeks ago that Flames defenseman Juuso Valimaki tore his ACL in offseason training and needed surgery, Postmedia’s Kristen Anderson notes that the procedure has yet to happen. Instead, it appears as if it’s still a few weeks away from happening. Considering the swelling that can often accompany this type of injury, the delay is certainly understandable but at the same time, knowing the recovery period is usually at least six months, it’s increasing the likelihood that the 20-year-old will miss the entire season. Calgary has brought Andrew MacDonald in on a PTO for camp but it wouldn’t be surprising if they look to make another move to bring in a replacement.

From August 29th

Edit:

 

[Calculon]

Well, apparently Valimaki did indeed have his surgery a couple of weeks ago

 

[Lunatik]

If Anderson's sources can't inform her when Vali had surgery, how can we trust her on her claim that Peters want's Lindholm at center?

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

If Anderson's sources can't inform her when Vali had surgery, how can we trust her on her claim that Peters want's Lindholm at center?

FWIW, Treliving did say today that Bill has discussed this. But they also like him on the topline RW. We are likely to see a little more of Lindholm and Bennett being played all over in the lineup.

 

[Deen]

I would just let him take the entire year off. No reason to rush him from an injury like this.

 

[Calculon]

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Sounds like he will be ready for opening night.

 

[Fig]

If his knee stays giant sized, then Valimak'nee would be the perfect torch carrier after Kneeordano.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Valimaki in crutches to start 2019-20 season as he recovers from knee surgery

Valimaki still gets choked up when he talks about how it happened, and how he had to break the news to Flames general manager Brad Treliving.

“I couldn’t call him first, I had to call my agent (David Cowan) first because I was crying the whole time when I tried to explain it,” Valimaki explained on Thursday as his teammates underwent physical testing and medical examinations. “I couldn’t call him — somebody else had to do it to actually explain and say how things (were). He called me a couple hours later. He called me a couple days later. He actually called me a lot. That’s something I’m really happy with, how supportive everybody has been and how they’ve handled it.”

That's gut wrenching. Poor kid.

 

[Fig]

Valimaki in crutches to start 2019-20 season as he recovers from knee surgery

That's gut wrenching. Poor kid.

Very telling that he was more scared about disappointing the team than his actual well being. That's a hell of a character attribute.

 

[Lunatik]

Very telling that he was more scared about disappointing the team than his actual well being. That's a hell of a character attribute.

I never took it as being scared. Just the line about trying to explain it, made me think that perhaps in his state of mind he was struggling with thinking about how to explain it in English.

 

[Fig]

I never took it as being scared. Just the line about trying to explain it, made me think that perhaps in his state of mind he was struggling with thinking about how to explain it in English.

Maybe both? The article definitely says it was hard for him because he was crying the entire time he was trying to explain it.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

 

[JPeeper]

Hopefully only a couple weeks now until Vali can play.

RIP Kylington

 

[Rangediddy]

Looks like Juuso is cleared to begin skating again. That's good news!
Looks like he could possibly play before the end of the year. That's good news!
If he plays one game, that goes towards his expansion eligibility and he'd have to be protected in the draft. That's bad news.
Juuso probably won't play again this year. That's bad news.
Juuso probably won't have to be protected in the draft. That's great news!

 

[Nanuuk]

If Juuso comes back and can play meaningful minutes, it allows (creates?) a situation for Treliving where is can trade from a position of strength (LD) to either acquire a top 6 right shot RW or to acquire a top 4 RD. Should Valimaki play, the Flames should protect 4F, 4D, and 1G in the expansion draft.

Namely:

Gaudreau, Monahan, Lindholm, Tkachuk (assumes Lucic waives his NMC)
Valimaki, Hanifin, Kylington, Andersson (assumes no trade of LD for an RD)
Ritter

Yes this exposes a shwack of talent, but it protects the young D corp. If Vali doesn't play, insert Brodie. Seattle can only take one player. Do they go for veteran leadership? Speed? Scoring prowess?

My preference is to get him back into the game. Losing an entire season of competitive hockey is hard to come back from.

 

[Rubi]

Let Valimaki play in the AHL for the remainder of the season. I assume if he plays in the AHL for the rest of the regular season he remains ineligible to be drafted in the expansion draft?
Bring him back up for the playoffs. I assume playoff games don't affect his expansion draft ineligibility?

 

[Rubi]

Let Valimaki play the rest of the season in Stockton once he's ready. No need to rush him.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

Let Valimaki play in the AHL for the remainder of the season. I assume if he plays in the AHL for the rest of the regular season he remains ineligible to be drafted in the expansion draft?
Bring him back up for the playoffs. I assume playoff games don't affect his expansion draft ineligibility?

AHL qualifies as professional experience, so no.