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Salomaki fell out of favor in Nashville, making only five appearances with a single goal to his credit in 2019-20. He then moved on to the Maple Leafs' organization, where he had four points in eight games with AHL Toronto after he collected 15 points in 41 contests with AHL Milwaukee. Now on a two-way contract with Colorado, Salomaki shouldn't be expected to make the Opening Night roster in 2020-21 -- he projects as more of an organizational depth option this season, with 167 NHL games to his name as a potential taxi squad player.
Salomaki has only posted 15 points in 95 games over the last two campaigns, and will likely be the odd-man-out in the Predators' bottom-six forward group this season. The Finnish winger's lack of production and uncertain role will keep him off the radar in all fantasy formats in 2019-20.
Salomaki scored just eight points in 58 games last season. However, it was his fine work on the defensive side that overshadowed any shortcomings he might have had in the offensive zone. For example, Salomaki had a “Corsi Against,” or “CA60 rating” (measuring opposing teams' shot attempts per 60 minutes while he is on the ice) of just 45.58. This was the lowest output on the team, but it doesn't provide much by way of fantasy value unless a given league is one of the rare types that rewards for advanced stats like Corsi. Instead it gives him a real-life intangible value that teams want. Salomaki settled on a two-year, $1.5 million contract extension in late July to avoid an arbitration hearing with the Preds.
Salomaki suffered a series of hard-luck injuries that limited him to just nine games (five in the NHL, four in the AHL) in 2016-17. He took a shot off his hand in the second game of the season, which landed him on injured reserve for about six weeks; once recovered, he was sent to AHL Milwaukee in December for a conditioning stint, only to end up on IR once again with what the Preds described as a “long-term” lower-body injury. Salomaki returned in early April and saw limited action down the stretch and into the playoffs, serving as a non-factor for the Preds as they went on to reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history. Once considered an up-and-coming prospect as a 2011 second-round pick who put up 50 points in his first AHL campaign (2013-14), the 24-year-old Finn is a long way from fantasy relevance, as he'll occupy a bottom-six spot (probably on the fourth line) for the Preds.
Salomaki played almost exclusively in a bottom-six role for the Preds last season, skating mainly alongside Paul Gaustad and Eric Nystrom on the fourth line. As such, the Finnish winger went mostly unnoticed by most fantasy owners, notching just 10 points in 61 games. Although Salomaki has shown some offensive upside in the past – he tallied 50 points over 75 games in the AHL in 2013-14 – his role is not expected to grow much this season, making him a fantasy consideration only in deep keeper formats.
Salomaki scored a goal in his NHL debut for the Preds last season -- the only game he played for the big club after being recalled as an injury replacement in January. Despite the impressive debut, the Preds decided to send him back to AHL Milwaukee where he had 18 points in 38 games for the Admirals. Talent-wise, Salomaki has become known for being a tenacious defender who plays well in his own zone. As his offensive skills improve, he could turn into a solid two-way player in the NHL. For now, he is expected to continue his development at Milwaukee this upcoming season.
