LD Urho Vaakanainen (2017, 18th, BOS; traded to ANA)

BusQuets

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Jul 16, 2010
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Maybe not Karpat since Marjamaki isn't their coach anymore next season?

Don't think Marjamaki matters. Karpat d is going to get overhauled this off-season and if Nutivaara is leaving to North-America i think they will throw enough money to get Vaakainen.
 

ChicagoBullsFan

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Jun 6, 2015
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Well he's supposedly leaving Espoo Blues so it could happen.

As a HIFK fan i would like to see Vaakanainen in my favorite FEL team.
But based on the article in Monday's ( 14th March 2016) iltalehti Jussi Salonoja have signaled to Espoo Blues young players agents and urged them to wait 2 weeks.

Before they'll start looking for new teams of Vaakanainen, Suomela and Vainio.
Salonoja waits still Blues goes bankruptcy and when that happens he's possibly owner for Espoo Blues.

Here's that article of Jussi Salonoja's wait.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016031321263157_sm.shtml
 
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ChicagoBullsFan

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Jun 6, 2015
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Don't think Marjamaki matters. Karpat d is going to get overhauled this off-season and if Nutivaara is leaving to North-America i think they will throw enough money to get Vaakainen.

Oulun Kärpät has one of the best junior programs in Finland.
So they can produce Vaakanainen type prospect for their own junior.

Does Kai Suikkanen has any idea how to develop for NHL draft eligible prospects.
And is he never developed any prospects into NHL level and does he has any clue how much ice-time NHL draft eligible prospects needs.

Tero Lehterä has said Vaakanainen is probably best defenceman prospect what Finland has ever produced
Yes that's only talk because Lehterä has Coached for Vaakanainen in Espoo Blues juniors.
 

ChicagoBullsFan

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Jun 6, 2015
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I see him going to Hifk, ässät or OHL alot more than Kärpät.

Everything is possible when it is Tom Nybondas who sings the players in HIFK.
Point is that i don't trust Tom at all yes he's done excellent job to build this seasons FEL championship caliber HIFK team.
But his track record in bigger perspective ( Years before Antti Törmänen's time) isn't best one.

What comes to Vaakainainen i would like see him in HIFK
But there's always OHL risk ( just like Markus Niemeläinen case)

If Vaakanainen really comes to HIFK he can be first HIFK player who's drafted 1st round in NHL draft since Mikael Granlund.
 
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Loffer

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Sep 22, 2011
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In which respects this kid surpasses "allegedly" also Olli Juolevi, or what was the guys first name?

Is the consensus of talent levels really this: Vaakanainen > Juolevi> Maatta.

I wanna see before I believe dis.
 

tinozz

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Jan 26, 2016
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In which respects this kid surpasses​
"allegedly" also Olli Juolevi, or what was the guys first name?

Is the consensus of talent levels really this: Vaakanainen > Juolevi> Maatta.

I wanna see before I believe dis.

during 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 i would've said Vaakanainen is the better prospect since they played at the same level with nearly identical stats even thou Vaakanainen was a year younger but i think his last 2 summers have been troubled with injuries so.. Juolevi>Vaakanainen
 

Loffer

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Sep 22, 2011
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It's official Espoo Blues went bankruptcy.
Which liiga team will sign Vaakanainen i hope it's HIFK.

So what? Cannot Blues go on under some other owner(s) - Like that Salonoja dude again, and this question is premature.
 

ChicagoBullsFan

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Jun 6, 2015
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I hope its a team where he will get a lot of playing time.

Then that team might be Kookoo,Jukurit,Ilves or Ässät. And maybe some bottom team in OHL/ QMJHL/ WHL
HIFK isn't necessarily so stacked next season what they have been this season.

There's a lot question-marks in HIFK's next season defense.
Generous,Taipalus,Järvinen,Taimi,Auvitu, Grillfors,Aulie,Salmi all those guys contracts finishing after this season. And no-one cannot say for sure how many guys of those will go.

So there's might be spot for Vaakanainen also.
 
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teravaineSAROS

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Jul 29, 2015
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how good is he compared to Välimäki? and do any of these two project to potentially be better than Juolevi?
 

ChicagoBullsFan

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Jun 6, 2015
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So what? Cannot Blues go on under some other owner(s) - Like that Salonoja dude again, and this question is premature.

What i read today's iltalehti there was some mystery owner candidate outside of Finland who was ready to willing to pay all the debts of Espoo Blues.
But no-one knows who it was and where those moneys come from.

The story of Espoo Blues FEL team is over yes that's sad but there's no hope anymore.
Finnish Elite Leagues management are announced Espoo Blues is unable to play next season in Finnish Elite League.

And what comes to Urho Vaakanainen he's free to go.
Here's all iltalehti articles of Espoo Blues bankruptcy.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121305925_sm.shtml
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121306005_sm.shtml
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121306088_sm.shtml
 
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Loffer

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Sep 22, 2011
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What i read today's iltalehti there was some mystery owner candidate outside of Finland who was ready to willing to pay all the debts of Espoo Blues.
But no-one knows who it was and where those moneys come from.

The story of Espoo Blues FEL team is over yes that's sad but there's no hope anymore.
Finnish Elite Leagues management are announced Espoo Blues is unable to play next season in Finnish Elite League.

And what comes to Urho Vaakanainen he's free to go.
Here's all iltalehti articles of Espoo Blues bankruptcy.

http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121305925_sm.shtml
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121306005_sm.shtml
http://www.iltalehti.fi/smliiga/2016032121306088_sm.shtml

It's a ****ing disgrace. Some Esbo cannot maintain FEL team. Ludicrous ****.

Esbo and prosoprts don't mix that well, it seems. Che casino. :laugh:
 

HockeyHistorian

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Mar 17, 2015
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how good is he compared to Välimäki? and do any of these two project to potentially be better than Juolevi?

I think they are all good prospects, but Juolevi has had a great year and he is only 5 months older than Välimäki so I'd give the edge to Juolevi. It's harder to compare Vaakanainen and Juolevi since they are playing in such different leagues, but I think Vaakanainen has the ability to match what Juolevi has done. Vaakanainen, understandably, hasn't really been able to showcase his offensive skills this year apart from his play in the U20 league and he has to improve on that next year for him to become as highly touted as Juolevi is now.

I think both Juolevi and Vaakanainen have, at this point in time, the potential to be #1 defensemen in their NHL teams and Välimäki a solid #2. They should in all likelihood be at least top 4 defensemen during their NHL careers.
 

Orvelo

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Jul 3, 2015
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Can anyone give a scouting report on Vaakanainen?

Smooth skating mobile defenseman who is capable playing with the puck and is also surprisingly good at defending against men. His puck playing ability wasn't so visible against men this year, but i trust next year he will take steps in it.
 

Hokinaittii

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Aug 15, 2015
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He played really good yesterday in CAN - FIN U18 game. He was really confident in outlet passes and when he had the puck, he almost always made the right decision and moved the puck fast.

If everything goes as planned, some team will get a really solid D in future.
 

thomast

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Oct 23, 2009
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He played really good yesterday in CAN - FIN U18 game. He was really confident in outlet passes and when he had the puck, he almost always made the right decision and moved the puck fast.

If everything goes as planned, some team will get a really solid D in future.

I noticed him too such a smart player with excellent awareness in both ends. Was way better than Välimäki who was really struggling despite having 1 year in North America already.
 

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