Prospect Info: 18th Overall (Round 1) - Urho Vaakanainen (D)

[theVladiator]

I think you guys are selling Vaakanainen short here. It's understandable, most offensively capable defensemen run around with their pants on fire at his age. But, as some have pointed out, Vaak plays like 10 year vet, and that applies to defense as well as offense. He doesn't overdo it, but when there is a right moment he shows he is quite capable of it. In that sense he is closer to guys like Keith and Reilly than he is to Carlo or Brodin. That's not to say he will end up a Roman Josi, but I would not put any ceiling at this point. He absolutely has all the tools, he just might put it all together.

 

[Alberta_OReilly_Fan]

anyone who seen him play more... think he could become a modern day kevin lowe?

lowe probably gets a bit underrated now but he had a 1200 game career... and had some decent offense to his game early in his career. wasn't a total bruiser but played competitive hard nose hockey.

brad mccrimmon is another name from the past I hope for when I see my first look at Urho. mccrimmon also had a 1200 game career... around 400 points. so very simiar basic numbers to lowe. both guys played hard without being known as dirty or overly physical dmen. they got the job done. smart. moved the puck well.

if Urho has anything close to the potential these 2 names did... we cant move him now. getting a dman like this is just too important for team success. even if hes only at a glen Wesley level... Wesley hung around for 1400 games. maybe wasn't quite the effective defender that mccrimmon or lowe were... maybe had a bit better offense... but Wesley and mccrimmon are 2 guys we gave up on quite young and even though the Wesley return was outstanding... we could have used these guys on the team

trading a young guy with this much potential that he could be a top 3 dman for 1000 game career... you don't get that everyday. trade it and you will be looking for it for years

 

[Coach Parker]

He looked like Carlo did in the WJC's but even more composed and had the ear of every player.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

I'm not sure he'll ever be a considered a star, but he's going to play in this league for a long, long time.

I doesn't matter if / when Vaakanainen won't be star defender in NHL.
We ( Finns) already have Heiskanen who's gonna be a star.

Vaakanainen is good shutdown defender and let that be his bread and butter in NHL.
McAvoy Vaakanainen will be good D pair for Bruins.

 

[The don godfather]

What a combo vak and Carlo they will constipate Mathews and marner and they will reach for the Metamucil when they face them.

 

[22Brad Park]

He looked like Carlo did in the WJC's but even more composed and had the ear of every player.

I am not disagreeing here about his team looking up to him but in the final game I thought USA had a ton of chances even when he was on the ice.The goalie stole the game for Finns..

 

[Dicky113]

anyone who seen him play more... think he could become a modern day kevin lowe?

lowe probably gets a bit underrated now but he had a 1200 game career... and had some decent offense to his game early in his career. wasn't a total bruiser but played competitive hard nose hockey.

brad mccrimmon is another name from the past I hope for when I see my first look at Urho. mccrimmon also had a 1200 game career... around 400 points. so very simiar basic numbers to lowe. both guys played hard without being known as dirty or overly physical dmen. they got the job done. smart. moved the puck well.

if Urho has anything close to the potential these 2 names did... we cant move him now. getting a dman like this is just too important for team success. even if hes only at a glen Wesley level... Wesley hung around for 1400 games. maybe wasn't quite the effective defender that mccrimmon or lowe were... maybe had a bit better offense... but Wesley and mccrimmon are 2 guys we gave up on quite young and even though the Wesley return was outstanding... we could have used these guys on the team

trading a young guy with this much potential that he could be a top 3 dman for 1000 game career... you don't get that everyday. trade it and you will be looking for it for years

Kevin Lowe upside feels extremely depressing

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

Kevin Lowe upside feels extremely depressing

Kevin Lowe was a pretty good defenseman I think.

 

[Wiggleboom]

Kevin Lowe was a pretty good defenseman I think.

Maybe they meant as a GM.

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

Maybe they meant as a GM.

Boom. Roasted.

 

[JoeBeef15]

When will we see him with the big club again?

 

[Ratty]

When will we see him with the big club again?

When one of our LHD gets traded? Or, God forbid, an injury.

 

[JoeBeef15]

When one of our LHD gets traded? Or, God forbid, an injury.

He made the club at the beginning of the year, got injured, then had a good WJC. I figured we'd see what he could do regardless of injury or trades.

 

[Son of Donegal]

I figure Urho will get another look before the trade deadline regardless of injury. He is young, but he plays like a vet and gives you a lot of what the Bruins like in Grzelcyk and Moore.

And, if Urho performs to his ability and plays his game, I can almost guarantee you, the Bruins would consider moving the roster player in trade rather than the rookie on the ELC.

 

[Estlin]

When will we see him with the big club again?

Next season most likely, barring an injury to or trade of one of Chara, Krug, Grzelcyk and Moore.

 

[Ratty]

He made the club at the beginning of the year, got injured, then had a good WJC. I figured we'd see what he could do regardless of injury or trades.

Good idea. But you have to sit somebody. Grz? Moore? How about when Mc comes back? Nice problem to have, eh?

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Hey guys, is Vaakanainen injured again? Didn’t see him out there for the P-Bruins.

If so, is he expected back for the AHL playoffs next week?

 

[neelynugs]

Hey guys, is Vaakanainen injured again? Didn’t see him out there for the P-Bruins.

If so, is he expected back for the AHL playoffs next week?

not sure anyone knows if he's sick or injured. he played a game last sunday, but then sat the last 2.

 

[arider1990]

not sure anyone knows if he's sick or injured. he played a game last sunday, but then sat the last 2.

He was reported to be sick like a lot of the players.

 

[compan]

When will we see him with the big club again?

Potentially no Clifton and no Krug...probably soon?

 

[LouJersey]

Potentially no Clifton and no Krug...probably soon?

He’s hurt

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Potentially no Clifton and no Krug...probably soon?

Lauzon or Zboril will be up first. Not sure if either will be needed. They already have Kampfer here and Moore is potentially close to returning. Also, early reports are that Krug is fine. Will obviously know more tomorrow but if they need to go to Providence, I don't think Vaakanainen would even be a consideration if he was healthy.

 

[CharasLazyWrister]

Lauzon or Zboril will be up first. Not sure if either will be needed. They already have Kampfer here and Moore is potentially close to returning. Also, early reports are that Krug is fine. Will obviously know more tomorrow but if they need to go to Providence, I don't think Vaakanainen would even be a consideration if he was healthy.

Really...Krug is fine? Did this come out of Cassidy’s mouth because “fine” to him seems to mean multiple games out of the lineup.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Really...Krug is fine? Did this come out of Cassidy’s mouth because “fine” to him seems to mean multiple games out of the lineup.

I don't believe it was Cassidy who said it. I thought I read that Kevin Weekes talked to his Bruins people and they said that Krug was fine. Who knows at this point. My main point was that if Boston needs to go to Providence for defenseman, I don't think it's Vaakanainen.

 

[Ratty]

UV started for Providence last night. Not on scoresheet, 2 min. Penalty.