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Juuso Välimäki Returns to NHL With the Hurricanes After 632-Day Absence

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By Zach Martin · The Hockey Writers

Published: Tuesday, 20 October 2026 at 9:15 PM

Key Things to Know

Juuso Välimäki will make his Hurricanes debut against the Vancouver Canucks following a 632-day NHL absence.
The defenseman had not played an NHL game since suffering an ACL injury in March 2025.
Carolina signed Välimäki to a one-year, $900,000 contract on June 24, 2026.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Juuso Välimäki is set to make his regular-season debut against the Vancouver Canucks on October 20, marking his return to an NHL lineup after a 632-day absence. Välimäki last appeared in an NHL contest during the 2024-25 season before an ACL injury in March 2025 required surgery and sidelined him for several months.

Following his recovery and an AHL Calder Cup Final run with the Chicago Wolves, Carolina re-signed him to a one-year, $900,000 contract on June 24, 2026. Välimäki is projected to skate on the third defensive pairing alongside Shayne Gostisbehere.

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Juuso Välimäki Returns to NHL With the Hurricanes After 632-Day Absence

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