The Calgary Flames Select Juuso Välimäki with the 16th Overall Pick

The Calgary Flames have selected defenseman Juuso Välimäki with the 16th pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

There were rumours that the Flames may have been shopping the pick for individuals like Marco Scandella, Travis Hamonic, and potentially Nino Niederreiter, but those rumours seemed to be much more smoke than fire. With few future draft choices remaining thanks to the trades involving Curtis Lazar, Brian Elliott, and Michael Stone, keeping the pick appears to be prudent particularly with some of the names that are expected to hit free agency.

Välimäki managed to put up 19 goals and 42 assists in the WHL with the Tri-City Americans including 12 goals and 17 assists at even strength. He had a 50 percent goals for ratio at even strength which was good for an increase of 1.76 percent relatively. Those are some incredible numbers for a defenseman.

Obviously don’t expect Välimäki to contribute right away, but he probably isn’t too far off. He definitely slid and this has to be considered a steal for the Flames. He could only be a year away and this only adds to the Flames dearth of defenseman. This was a great pick by Brad Treliving and the Flames.

by Les Mavus