Juuso Välimäki
Carolina Hurricanes · #8 · DefensemanUndrafted
3 points in 6 games — 108th of 228 defensemen. The average defenseman has 4.2.
23HEAT · FORM, LAST 5 GAMES ↓ -1hotter than 74% of defensemen · average defenseman 15
84ENERGY · FRESHaverage defenseman 92 · last game yesterday
SCOUTING REPORT · AI, FROM THE NUMBERS
The player.
WHO HE IS · LONG TERM
Välimäki is the ultimate reclamation project, a defenseman with the physical tools to surprise. While his offensive numbers haven't yet translated to the NHL, his story is one of untapped potential, an undrafted player fighting for his chance to carve out a role, proving talent can emerge from anywhere.
RIGHT NOW · LAST 5 GAMES
Välimäki is showing flashes of offensive contribution, punctuated by a recent goal. While consistent point production is absent, his increasing ice time suggests a growing role and potential for more.
FORM OVER TIME · GAME BY GAME
Heat over time.
Cooling: 73 after the game against VAN, 23 now — still hotter than 74% of defensemen (average defenseman 15).
Now 23 · −50 over these 6 games
━● Heat after each game╍ average defenseman (15)┈ top 5% of defensemen (44)
LAST 5 GAMES
The last stretch.
2 points and 2 goals in 5 games — below his own pace (2.5 per 5), yet still 1.2× what an average defenseman scores in 5 games.
| LAST 5 GAMES | HIM | HIS USUAL · PER 5 GAMES | AVERAGE DEFENSEMAN | VERDICT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goals | 2 | 1.7 | 0.4 | ▲ 1.2× his usual |
| Assists | 0 | 0.8 | 1.3 | ▼ 0.0× his usual |
| Points | 2 | 2.5 | 1.6 | ▼ 0.8× his usual |
| Shots | 6 | 6 | 6 | ≈ 1.0× his usual |
| Shooting % | 33.3% | 28.6% | 6.3% | ▲ 1.2× his usual |
| Plus/minus | +7 | +6.7 | +0.0 | his usual |
| Ice time a game | 14:32 | 14:02 | 18:32 | ≈ 1.0× his usual |
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | G | A | POINTS | SOG | +/- | TOI | HEAT AFTER |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 1 | vs WPG | W | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 15:39 | 23 |
| Oct 29 | vs CBJ | W | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | +1 | 12:49 | 24 |
| Oct 27 | vs BOS | W | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | +1 | 13:43 | 30 |
| Oct 24 | @ STL | W | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16:13 | 40 |
| Oct 22 | @ EDM | L | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | +3 | 14:17 | 65 |
THIS SEASON · 2026–27 · AMONG 228 DEFENSEMEN
Where he stands.
The bar runs from zero to the league's best defenseman; the white tick is the average defenseman.
Points108th of 228 defensemen3leader Bouchard 26
Bouchard 26Goals26th of 228 defensemen2leader Bouchard 8
Bouchard 8Assists142nd of 228 defensemen1leader Bouchard 18
Bouchard 18Shots169th of 228 defensemen7leader 
Schaefer 52
Schaefer 52Power-play points63rd of 228 defensemen0leader 
Jones 11
Jones 11Plus/minus11th of 228 defensemen+8leader Bouchard +22
Bouchard +22Ice time a game193rd of 228 defensemen14:02leader Werenski 28:50
Werenski 28:50PERFORMANCE RADAR · PER GAME, PERCENTILE VS DEFENSEMEN
Shape of his game.
Separates in: plus/minus (99th), goals (97th). Below the middle: power-play points (0th), ice time (15th).
■ Välimäki this season╍ the average defenseman┈ top 5% of defensemen
CAREER · NHL REGULAR SEASON · SOURCE: NHL.COM
Season by season.
On pace for 41 points over 82 games, which would beat his best season so far: 34 in 2022–23.
| SEASON | TEAM | GP | G | A | PTS | POINTS PER GAME | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 · now | CAR | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0.50 | +8 |
| 2024–25 |  UTA | 43 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0.12 | −5 |
| 2023–24 |  ARI | 68 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 0.25 | +12 |
| 2022–23 · best | ARI | 78 | 4 | 30 | 34 | 0.44 | −10 |
| 2021–22 |  CGY | 9 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.22 | 0 |
| 2020–21 | CGY | 49 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 0.22 | −2 |
| 2018–19 | CGY | 24 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.13 | −2 |