Confirmed with Link: Bruins Sign D Urho Vaakanainen to a 3-Year ELC

[Gordoff]

Definitely

925K cap-hit that's exactly same what Laine,Puljujarvi, Heiskanen, Tolvanen and Borgstrom have got in their ELC's.

Isn't that essentially what all ELC's are around money-wise?!? I'm asking, not sure.

With Urho Vaakanainen on the way, Bruins have options on defense - The Boston Globe


Although pleased with the composition of his defensive corps, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney reiterated this week that Urho Vaakanainen, the team’s top pick in last year’s draft, will play in North America this year and vie for a varsity roster spot come September’s training camp.

Vaakanainen, 19, the seventh defenseman selected in the 2017 draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract Wednesday with an annual cap hit of $925,000, plus bonuses.

Selected No. 18 overall by the Bruins last June, Vaakanainen played the full 2017-18 season in Finland’s top pro league. He will be joined in training camp this year by at least two other top defensive prospects, Jakub Zboril (Round 1 in 2015) and Jeremy Lauzon (Round 2 in 2015).

“I think our group is fine,” said Sweeney. “But I am not going to stop. If there’s a trade to be made to improve the group, then we have to make it.”

Sweet article! Thanks Wallace!

I agree DS is going to pull off a move

prepping the masses (us) for something interesting!!

 

[Baddkarma]

What Vaak's NHL time table? I feel like at the draft it was said he needed 2-3 years most likely.

 

[BruinLVGA]

Welcome to Boston, my boy.

 

[Krupp]

Very cool! I await with eager anticipation what your guys' thoughts are on him - those of you who will get to see him in camp in the summer, anyway.

 

[s3antana5757]

The “trade to improve the group” talk reads pretty odd for Sweeney. Almost feels like he knows he’s likely to move a certain player and he’s prepping the masses for the transition. Either that or he’s desperate to drive interest in a dman or two, for whatever reason he might have.

But no matter what, the message is not typical of Sweeney.

I think they were a bit disappointed in the group during the playoffs, especially in the TB series. Chara was good and McAcoy had some good moments, but it was pretty meh otherwise. Injuries certainly contributed to that. They also have an almost $3 million 7th D.

 

[ODAAT]

glad they got this done nice and early this summer, time for the kid to prepare for camp. Can`t say or comment about his game, outside of a clip here and there haven`t seen enough to start exclaiming him another bust of a pick yet

 

[JP Nolan]

With Urho Vaakanainen on the way, Bruins have options on defense - The Boston Globe


Although pleased with the composition of his defensive corps, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney reiterated this week that Urho Vaakanainen, the team’s top pick in last year’s draft, will play in North America this year and vie for a varsity roster spot come September’s training camp.

Vaakanainen, 19, the seventh defenseman selected in the 2017 draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract Wednesday with an annual cap hit of $925,000, plus bonuses.

Selected No. 18 overall by the Bruins last June, Vaakanainen played the full 2017-18 season in Finland’s top pro league. He will be joined in training camp this year by at least two other top defensive prospects, Jakub Zboril (Round 1 in 2015) and Jeremy Lauzon (Round 2 in 2015).

“I think our group is fine,” said Sweeney. “But I am not going to stop. If there’s a trade to be made to improve the group, then we have to make it.”

“I think our group is fine,” said Sweeney. “But I am not going to stop. If there’s a trade to be made to improve the group, then we have to make it.”[/QUOTE]

THIS, THIS and did i mention........THIS.

 

[Dr Hook]

“I think our group is fine,” said Sweeney. “But I am not going to stop. If there’s a trade to be made to improve the group, then we have to make it.”

THIS, THIS and did i mention........THIS.[/QUOTE]

It definitely feels like some kind of move is coming, possibly at the draft. And, in the interests of the thread, I just have to say URHO!!!!!!! mainly because it's cool to do

 

[vjcsmoke]

Could Urho have a McAvoy level impact? I'm hoping that one of our other 1st round pick defensive prospects can make the step up to the next level.

If the Bruins traded a youngster for an impact player, who would it be?

 

[GordonHowe]

I like

me too. eyes on torey. maybe trading worth a look. big fan regardless.

 

[JRull86]

What Vaak's NHL time table? I feel like at the draft it was said he needed 2-3 years most likely.

I'd expect AHL this season, NHL next year depending on roster construction.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

me too. eyes on torey. maybe trading worth a look. big fan regardless.

I don't see how the signing of Vaakanainen makes it worth the look of trading Krug. This would be a premature type move that Sweeney wouldn't do.

 

[RedeyeRocketeer]

Could Urho have a McAvoy level impact? I'm hoping that one of our other 1st round pick defensive prospects can make the step up to the next level.

If the Bruins traded a youngster for an impact player, who would it be?

No. But he could be a really decent #4-#5, we hope.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

I think they were a bit disappointed in the group during the playoffs, especially in the TB series. Chara was good and McAcoy had some good moments, but it was pretty meh otherwise. Injuries certainly contributed to that. They also have an almost $3 million 7th D.

Its McQuaid's last year. You really have a problem with slightly overpaying the best fighter in the NHL to be our 6th/7th D man for one more season?

The forwards stopped scoring. D was OK but didn't lose us the series ditto Rask. Effort across the board fell off after winning game 1. But we were playing a team just as good as us if not better who got all the breaks.

The D from the playoffs plus Carlo is a good group I'm happy to give these guys another year. We are stronger in other areas but I think the blue line is solid. No bad long term desperation contracts.

I'm hoping Urho plays a full season in the AHL this year and becomes a regular next.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

No. But he could be a really decent #4-#5, we hope.

I hope he's more than a "really decent" #4/5. I think the hope is that he can develop into either a good compliment on a top pair to McAvoy, or a 2nd pairing anchor. None of which would be the hope you seem to have....Also, there's no reason to believe he can't develop into that.

 

[00BW]

I guess the #1-6 depends upon your interpretation. 2 years ago, Carlo was the #2 along side Chara and he filled that role quite well as a rookie. #2s and #4s only need to be complementary pieces to their partners. #5 and #6 are often specialists on PP or PK like Krug and McQuaid 3-4 years ago.

I think a #2 D only needs to be able to play defense against top competition, move the puck supporting the transition game, and handle 22-25 minutes a night. Vaakanainen should fit perfectly as a #2 as McAvoy's D partner and I would not be surprised to lean that is why the Bruins consider him their prize prospect.
If all goes according to plan, they should get 5-6 years of them together like Nashville got 7 years from Weber and Suter together. Suter got 40 points twice in Nashville while Weber got 40 points 8 times in 11 years--if he played more than 50 games he got 40 points. This is best case scenario: that Vaakanainen turns out like Suter. Though his best comparison is probably Suter's teammate, Brodin.