Coyotes claim former first-round pick Juuso Valimaki off waivers from Flames

Valimaki, 24, split the 2021–22 season between the Flames and the AHL’s Stockton Heat. The Flames originally selected Valimaki in the first round (No. 16 overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.

In nine NHL games with Calgary last season, Valimaki averaged 15:42 of ice time and picked up a pair of assists before being demoted to the AHL.

Valimaki recorded 18 points (two goals, 16 assists) in 35 games with the Pacific Division-winning Heat during the 2021–22 AHL campaign. He added two helpers in 10 playoff games as Stockton reached the AHL Western Conference Final.

In 82 career NHL games with Calgary over parts of three seasons, Valimaki has scored three goals and 16 points while averaging 15:29 per night. He missed much of 2018–19 and the entire 2019–20 campaign while dealing with lower-body injuries, including a torn ACL.

With the Coyotes, Valimaki will likely battle for playing time against Troy Stecher, J.J. Moser, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Conor Timmins, Cam Dineen, Dysin Mayo and Victor Soderstrom.

Valimaki is signed through the end of the 2022–23 season at a $1.55 million NHL cap hit. He’ll become a restricted free agent without arbitration rights when his current deal expires.