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NHL · Injuries · published 2026-10-20T00:00:00+00:00 · via The Hockey Writers

Välimäki Set for Hurricanes Debut After Long Injury Layoff

Image via The Hockey Writers
Image via The Hockey Writers

Carolina Hurricanes defenceman Juuso Välimäki is set to return to an NHL lineup on Oct. 20, 2026, against Vancouver after missing 632 days between regular-season NHL games. His last NHL appearance came with Utah in 2024-25 before a March 2025 ACL injury required surgery. After being traded to Carolina and spending time with AHL Chicago, he signed a one-year contract and was recalled, leading to his season debut.

Expanded Detail

Välimäki last appeared in an NHL regular-season game with Utah in 2024-25, skating 43 times and recording five points. A March 2025 ACL tear required surgery and an estimated eight-to-nine-month recovery. Carolina acquired him on Jan. 5, and he later logged 24 AHL contests for Chicago, producing 20 regular-season points plus 14 in 21 playoff outings while the Wolves reached the Calder Cup Final.

Carolina signed him to a one-year, $900,000 contract on June 24, 2026. After preseason play, he was sent to Chicago, then recalled Oct. 5 and used as the seventh defenseman. Against Vancouver, he is projected to pair with Shayne Gostisbehere on the third unit, playing his off side as a left-shot defender.

Count: first para: Välimäki(1) last2 appeared3 in4 an5 NHL6 regular-season7 game8 with9 Utah10 in11 2024-25,12 skating13 43? Let's count carefully. "Välimäki last appeared in an NHL regular-season game with Utah in 2024-25, skating 43 times and recording five points." Words: Välimäki1 last2 appeared3 in4 an5 NHL6 regular-season7 game8 with9 Utah10 in11 2024-25,12 skating13 43? "43" 14 times15 and16 recording17 five18 points19. "A March 2025 ACL tear required surgery and an estimated eight-to-nine-month recovery." A20 March21 2025 22 ACL23 tear24 required25 surgery26 and27 an28 estimated29 eight-to-nine-month30 recovery31. "Carolina acquired him on Jan. 5, and he later logged 24 AHL contests for Chicago, producing 20 regular-season points plus 14 in 21 playoff outings while the Wolv

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Juuso Välimäki Returns to NHL With the Hurricanes After 632-Day Absence.” Browse more stories.