Prospect Info: Urho Vaakanainen

[JRull86]

Been impressed with him, but he needs more time.

A year in Providence with a chance to earn a spot next camp.

 

[zaYG]

Let him develop. First call up from PVD. This D always struggles with injuries so he will get some games.

 

[Mount Kramer Cameras]

We've seen flashes of elite composure and awareness. Leach is going to love him.

 

[ODAAT]

sounds like most if not all who are in evaluation positions really like this kid, nice to hear/read

 

[Dellstrom]

Luckily we have absolutely no reason to rush him. He's in a great position, should have some confidence even though he's not 100% ready yet. Give him a year or two, call up here, call up there.

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Luckily we have absolutely no reason to rush him. He's in a great position, should have some confidence even though he's not 100% ready yet. Give him a year or two, call up here, call up there.

Why. Do you think McAvoy or Carlo would have benefited from being sent to the AHL when they were good enough to play for the big club? Sometimes guys are better in the NHL than they are in the AHL. I get the impression from Vaak that he could be one of these guys. I don't think Carlo or Charlie would have set the AHL on fire in fact they might have been worse AHL rookies than they were NHL rookies.

If we feel like we have a guy capable of replacing Chara you break him in while Chara is still here not stick him in the AHL and ask him to step into that role with no experience. If it means John Moore is the 7th D man that is OK.

Moore is a Bruin because Grizz and Krug struggled defensively on the playoffs. Moore and Grizz should not be the reason Urho gets sent down. I put Urho in the lineup opening night. Give him the first 3-4 games. If he plays well you likely have found a LH answer to Carlo and McAvoy. If hes not ready Moore steps into the lineup.

 

[ON3M4N]

Why. Do you think McAvoy or Carlo would have benefited from being sent to the AHL when they were good enough to play for the big club? Sometimes guys are better in the NHL than they are in the AHL. I get the impression from Vaak that he could be one of these guys. I don't think Carlo or Charlie would have set the AHL on fire in fact they might have been worse AHL rookies than they were NHL rookies.

If we feel like we have a guy capable of replacing Chara you break him in while Chara is still here not stick him in the AHL and ask him to step into that role with no experience. If it means John Moore is the 7th D man that is OK.

Moore is a Bruin because Grizz and Krug struggled defensively on the playoffs. Moore and Grizz should not be the reason Urho gets sent down. I put Urho in the lineup opening night. Give him the first 3-4 games. If he plays well you likely have found a LH answer to Carlo and McAvoy. If hes not ready Moore steps into the lineup.

So whose going to the AHL? Moore and Grz are not waiver exempt, so you're going to have to carry 8 d-men

 

[BMC]

If Krug is out does this mean Vaak is in?

 

[00BW]

Congratz Urho for making opening night roster with both 5'9" dman on the shelf with injuries.

 

[mflo77]

Vaak is superior to any dman in providence. Im happy he will make the opening night roster.

chara-mcavoy
moore-carlo
Vaak - Miller

 

[ON3M4N]

If Krug is out does this mean Vaak is in?

I think he'd need Grz and Krug out...unless Boston wants to carry 8 d-men to start the year

 

[BigGoalBrad]

So whose going to the AHL? Moore and Grz are not waiver exempt, so you're going to have to carry 8 d-men

Carry 8. Its a good problem to have. Give older players more nights off.

Why do you want to block a potential stud D man for Moore and Grizz?

 

[Kazcram]

remember it was only preseason hockey

 

[Estlin]

Urho is the flavor of the month, it appears. He should nevertheless be in Providence to log a lot of minutes. Even with Krug out, the left side is covered with Chara, Moore and Grzelcyk. Kampfer can be the #7.

Urho will be a regular in the Boston lineup soon enough.

 

[rocketdan9]

If Krug is out does this mean Vaak is in?

I say yes

 

[rocketdan9]

remember it was only preseason hockey

The last two games didnt seem like it was preseason games

Also then if what you say is true, Vaaka is already in mid season form. Vaaka doesnt make mistakes

 

[rocketdan9]

Vaak is superior to any dman in providence. Im happy he will make the opening night roster.

chara-mcavoy
moore-carlo
Vaak - Miller

Well... dont sleep on Zboril

 

[Salem13]

He was pretty much the only reason to watch this game.

 

[Kazcram]

im sorry but preseason and regular season is like comparing game 20 of reg season to first round of the playoffs . Nothing alike
That said i hope im wrong and hes the next great bruiins D

 

[LouJersey]

remember it was only preseason hockey

It’s only preseason when Bruins look like crap, not when they do well.

Love Vaak but don’t see how he beats out any of the top 7 right now when all healthy

 

[Dueling Banjos]

Reading and thinking about this Urho dilemma, what a great problem to have.

Nevermind the decision, it looks like he ll shine in B's uniform sooner or later and later will be soon anyway.

 

[BruinsPortugal]

Amazing how nhl ready he looks. Put him out there and let him learn.

 

[ON3M4N]

Carry 8. Its a good problem to have. Give older players more nights off.

Why do you want to block a potential stud D man for Moore and Grizz?

Who said I want to block him? I'm not looking at this like a fan, in looking at this from all angles.

Boston typically carries 14 FWD & 7 DEF

To keep 8 DEF, you need to send a FWD down. So whose the young FWD getting blocked so we can have two d-men sit upstairs

 

[Gator Mike]

I typed "Urho Vaakanainen" into Google Translate, and apparently in English it means "one who makes Joe Haggerty eat his own crap."

 

[TCB]

Vaak play was nice to see. He over pinched at times but seemed to have the speed to recover. His passing and skating are NHL ready. Seems very confident and composed.

Preseason or not he was one of the better defenseman on the ice. Gives Sweeney and company some hard choices.