Former Boston Bruins first overall pick was just traded in shocking deal
A former Boston Bruins 1st round draft pick is on the move again, as he was recently traded by the Anaheim Ducks to the New York Rangers.
Urho Vaakanainen was originally a 17th overall pick by the Boston Bruins in 2017 and was originally traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-2022, for Hampus Lindholm.
Vaakanainen has continually jumped between the AHL and NHL his entire career, until the 2023-2024 season, where he played 68 games for the Ducks.
He'd score 14 points( 1 G, 1 3 A) a career-high for the depth defenseman, who has seen only 5 NHL games, scoring 2 points( 1 G, 1 A) this season.
While Lindholm has found himself a regular in the Bruins lineup, he's failed to deliver the same impact for the Ducks.
Vaakanainen was selected by the Bruins with the 18th overall pick of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. In 31 games over four seasons with the Bruins, he had six assists and a minus-6 rating. His time with the Bruins ended during the 2021-22 season when he was traded to Anaheim as a part of the package to acquire Hampus Lindholm.
While Vaakanainen wasn't able to crack a full-time position in Boston, his time in Anaheim allowed teams to get a look at his abilities.
Excels at the defensive aspects of playing along the blueline, such as shot-blocking ability, shutdown qualities and a sound decision-making process with the puck. Is a solid puck mover with a fairly projectable frame. His offensive game will never be his calling card, so he is unlikely to become a No. 1 rearguard in the National Hockey League. Needs to add weight and get stronger to maximize his shutdown appeal and limit injuries, which have been an issue for him.
Vaakanainen signed a one-year deal with the Ducks which pays him $1.1 Million AAV and expires at the end of the 2024-2025 season.
The New York Rangers will control his rights when the contract ends, as he is a pending RFA. Before the trade being completed today, he was placed on the injured reserve on December 4th.
For now, the Rangers save cap space, by sending Jacob Trouba to Anaheim, along with his $8 Million cap hit. While they get to save $1.1 Million buried on IR until Vaakanainen is healthy enough to return.
Vaakanainen hasn't played since Nov. 13, so he can be activated at any time, but it seems safe to believe Anaheim wouldn't have made this move unless he wasn't an option for Wednesday's tilt against Vegas. The 25-year-old has an assist and seven blocks in five appearances in 2024-25. Cam Fowler (upper body) was activated off injured reserve in a corresponding move. Could Vaakanainen be a difference-making defenseman for the Rangers? He's failed to develop into a defenseman the Bruins needed.
Will he suffer the same fate in the Big Apple?
| POLL |
Do you think defenseman Urho Vaakanainen will fit into the New York Rangers system? |
| Yes | 18 | 32.1 % |
| No | 38 | 67.9 % |
| List of polls |
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Previously on Bruins Insider
