Maple Leafs Should Consider Claiming Former First-Round Defenseman Placed on Waivers by Utah
The Utah Hockey Club made a big move when it comes to their roster on Sunday as the team placed defenseman Juuso Valimaki on waivers.
With the trade deadline approaching and teams sorting out their roster and whether or not they are going to be buyers or sellers, certain players are unfortunately not going to make the cut.
For defenseman Juuso Valimaki, he was the latest casualty as the Utah Hockey Club placed him on waivers Sunday afternoon.
Valimaki struggled with Utah this season, registering only two goals and three assists in 43 games.
The 26-year old was claimed off waivers by the Arizona Coyotes, and then subsequently became a member of Utah once the team made the switch.
But with his waiver assignment, should the Maple Leafs take advantage and scoop him up for cheap?
Juuso Valimaki A Cheap And Reliable Third-Pairing Defenseman
With the Maple Leafs looking to add some defensive help without breaking the bank, they should look to Valimaki for help.
Though he's struggled this season, Valimaki has been a capable offensive producer at times, with a career-high 34 points in 2022-23 with the Coyotes.
For his career, he has 11 goals and 61 assists in 271 games with Calgary, Arizona, and Utah.
Toronto needs to have a more reliable puck-moving defenseman alongside Simon Benoit, and Conor Timmins nor Philippe Myers are the answer.
He fits the bill on the size requirement, at 6'2, 201 pounds and was a former Top-20 pick so he has potential still, plus he's only 26 so he is just reaching his prime years, and with some help could turn into a serviceable two-way defender.
At only a $2M cap hit, he's not an expensive option and would give Brad Treliving a piece he can work with while focusing his attention on other holes in the Leafs lineup.
If the Maple Leafs want to add Valimaki to their squad, they will have 24 hours to do so before the waiver assignment expires.
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/531510.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) shakes hands with Team Canada forward Sidney Crosby (87) after overtime win by Team Canada during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
