Valdix was slashed twice on the hand and suffered ligament damage which will require surgery on Saturday. He could be out for four to six weeks - long enough for Steelers to need a replacement.
Also Yared Hagos, blindsided by Belfast Giants’ David Rutherford in the same game, is also a big doubt for the weekend games against Edinburgh Capitals (Sat, iceSheffield) and Cardiff Devils (Sun, away.)
If Hagos misses both games, he will have been absent for three straight - he missed last Wednesday’s Challenge Cup first leg in Scotland.
And Steelers have not missed the irony that three games is one more than Rutherford received, in terms of disciplinary suspension.
A late decision will be made on Hagos - but Sheffield would not rush any player back that has suffered a head injury.
I find it difficult to believe the 33-year-old would want to put his fledgling Steelers career at risk by playing - which means Sheffield, for the second game
running, will be down two recognised centremen.
Steelers have already started to process finding a new import for the line-up. Pre-Christmas is a difficult time of the year to make a signing, but Paul Thompson’s list of contacts is better than most.
Saturday’s match starts level, after Steelers and Capitals slugged out a 2-2 tie earlier this week. It is clear that Edinburgh have a much better team than in previous years, they have nine excellent import forwards and a stellar goalie in Travis Fullerton.
They also know how to win at iceSheffield - they did it last season.