URHO VAAKANAINEN - Defenseman - 20 - Drafted 2017 #18 Overall
LAST UPDATED 2/18/19
The 18th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Vaakanainen is another example of an initially questionable draft selection by GM Don Sweeney who has since panned out surprisingly well. A lanky, athletic stay-at-home defenseman who is a decent passer, good skater, and physical player, Vaakanainen has the potential to be a high end bottom pairing d-man or even a reliable minutes eating #4, as he has proven he can be playing professionally in Finland. The only hurdle for Vaakanainen will be staying healthy. After debuting for the Bruins early in the 2018-2019 season, Vaakanainen looked good in his one full game for the team before suffering a concussion in just his second career game. Given his young age, the Bruins have been very cautious in Vaakanainen’s recovery, and he probably won’t see the ice again for Boston this season. Another potential issue blocking Urho’s path to the NHL is the amount of depth the Bruins have on their blue line. The addition of John Moore in the 2018 offseason rounded out the team’s defensive depth chart for the foreseeable future, and while Vaakanainen is probably near NHL ready now, he unfortunately suffered an injury during a rare chance to prove himself. However, if he continues to show flashes in the AHL as he has done so far, Vaakanainen will put himself squarely in the discussion for a bottom pairing role come the 2019-2020 season.
The 18th overall selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Vaakanainen is another example of an initially questionable draft selection by GM Don Sweeney who has since panned out surprisingly well. A lanky, athletic stay-at-home defenseman who is a decent passer, good skater, and physical player, Vaakanainen has the potential to be a high end bottom pairing d-man or even a reliable minutes eating #4, as he has proven he can be playing professionally in Finland. The only hurdle for Vaakanainen will be staying healthy. After debuting for the Bruins early in the 2018-2019 season, Vaakanainen looked good in his one full game for the team before suffering a concussion in just his second career game. Given his young age, the Bruins have been very cautious in Vaakanainen’s recovery, and he probably won’t see the ice again for Boston this season. Another potential issue blocking Urho’s path to the NHL is the amount of depth the Bruins have on their blue line. The addition of John Moore in the 2018 offseason rounded out the team’s defensive depth chart for the foreseeable future, and while Vaakanainen is probably near NHL ready now, he unfortunately suffered an injury during a rare chance to prove himself. However, if he continues to show flashes in the AHL as he has done so far, Vaakanainen will put himself squarely in the discussion for a bottom pairing role come the 2019-2020 season.
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