Former Bruins Urho Vaakanainen

[McGarnagle]

DeBrusk

 

[AM Bruin]

McAvoy had zero NHL regular season minutes and only played 4 AHL games before playing in the playoffs.
I'm not comparing Urho with Charlie but I think he'd do the job just fine. Especially considering he'll be given sheltered minutes. Who knows he might surprise.

 

[Friar85]

McAvoy had zero NHL regular season minutes and only played 4 AHL games before playing in the playoffs.
I'm not comparing Urho with Charlie but I think he'd do the job just fine. Especially considering he'll be given sheltered minutes. Who knows he might surprise.

I have a very bad feeling about this. He was pretty bad the second half in Providence when not hurt. Not an ideal situation throwing him into this series, hopefully won't be necessary.

 

[rocketdan9]

I have a very bad feeling about this. He was pretty bad the second half in Providence when not hurt. Not an ideal situation throwing him into this series, hopefully won't be necessary.

Vaaka paired with Haiskanen

and Haiskanen held his own against the Blues. If Vaaka can also "bring" that puck out cleanly, it will make it harder for the Blues

This time of the year you just got to go with your best options. If it's Vaaka, then go for it

I would still dress 7Ds regardless

 

[Mainehockey33]

Over 18 minutes of toi tonight and looks ready to play in the NHL right now. It’ll be interesting to see what the Bruins defense looks like next year with all these kids ready to play.

 

[Estlin]

Over 18 minutes of toi tonight and looks ready to play in the NHL right now. It’ll be interesting to see what the Bruins defense looks like next year with all these kids ready to play.

Grzelcyk-McAvoy
Vaak-Carlo
Lauzon-Clifton
-Zboril/Moore

 

[AK37]

I would put Zboril above Lauzon, Zboril has been very steady this year at Providence and looks like he's ready to me

I think you'll see Vaakanainen playing top pair with McAvoy

Vaakanainen - McAvoy (two young bucks who can play at both ends and both excellent skaters who will eat big minutes in their prime)
Grzelcyk - Carlo (Grzelcyk fills the Krug role and plays alongside a true defensive D-man)
Zboril - Clifton/Lauzon

If these D prospects are truly ready to assume these roles next season and perhaps Krug and Chara are gone......this will be so huge for this organization as it will allow them to spend money perhaps on a Taylor Hall type FA at forward

 

[BergyWho37]

I want to see a lot more of this guy unless it means he’ll be exposed in expansion draft then hide him under Donny’s covers cuz I’m not ready to trade or lose him for nothing.

Was such a smooth skater the games I’ve seen him.

 

[kthx]

Urho Vaakanainen lainasopimuksella SaiPaan

Urho Vaakanainen is loaned to SaiPa (Finnish Elite League). He most likely gets PP1 time as SaiPa is pretty much bottom of the league. Last time Vaakanainen played a game was in the middle of March so he might be a bit rusty. SaiPa has 2 games this week, against 2 red hot teams, hope Urho gets a bunch of minutes. He will join the team tomorrow.

"Bruins want some preparation games for Urho before the NHL games begin" says SaiPa's GM Jussi Markkanen.

Should we be looking at Vaakanainen getting a top 6 D role next season?

Games for SaiPa this week:
27th 18:30 GMT+2 - Home game versus the league leading Ilves. Ilves might lose their 1C (Ruotsalainen) and 1D (Välimäki) if they return to North America
28th 17:00 GMT+2 - Away game versus leagues top-5 team KooKoo coached by Jussi Ahokas (U20 WJC Gold 2018-2019)

 

[Saxon Eric]

Urho Vaakanainen lainasopimuksella SaiPaan

Urho Vaakanainen is loaned to SaiPa (Finnish Elite League). He most likely gets PP1 time as SaiPa is pretty much bottom of the league. Last time Vaakanainen played a game was in the middle of March so he might be a bit rusty. SaiPa has 2 games this week, against 2 red hot teams, hope Urho gets a bunch of minutes. He will join the team tomorrow.

"Bruins want some preparation games for Urho before the NHL games begin" says SaiPa's GM Jussi Markkanen.

Should we be looking at Vaakanainen getting a top 6 D role next season?

Games for SaiPa this week:
27th 18:30 GMT+2 - Home game versus the league leading Ilves. Ilves might lose their 1C (Ruotsalainen) and 1D (Välimäki) if they return to North America
28th 17:00 GMT+2 - Away game versus leagues top-5 team KooKoo coached by Jussi Ahokas (U20 WJC Gold 2018-2019)

Was wondering why he wasn't loaned out earlier but nevertheless good to see

 

[ON3M4N]

Was wondering why he wasn't loaned out earlier but nevertheless good to see

Ya I'm surprised it took this long too. Seems like a great opportunity for these younger guys to be get some TOI and being in a bit more "game shape" when camps open up. It is interesting though which prospect are and are not being loaned out. I'm surprised Senyshyn hasn't been loaned out or Frederic, you know guys that are competing for spots

 

[UncleRico]

Urho Vaakanainen lainasopimuksella SaiPaan

Urho Vaakanainen is loaned to SaiPa (Finnish Elite League). He most likely gets PP1 time as SaiPa is pretty much bottom of the league. Last time Vaakanainen played a game was in the middle of March so he might be a bit rusty. SaiPa has 2 games this week, against 2 red hot teams, hope Urho gets a bunch of minutes. He will join the team tomorrow.

"Bruins want some preparation games for Urho before the NHL games begin" says SaiPa's GM Jussi Markkanen.

Should we be looking at Vaakanainen getting a top 6 D role next season?

Games for SaiPa this week:
27th 18:30 GMT+2 - Home game versus the league leading Ilves. Ilves might lose their 1C (Ruotsalainen) and 1D (Välimäki) if they return to North America
28th 17:00 GMT+2 - Away game versus leagues top-5 team KooKoo coached by Jussi Ahokas (U20 WJC Gold 2018-2019)

I hope so, I still believe he has the highest ceiling of all our defensemen. That concussion really set him back though.

 

[Kalus]

Ya I'm surprised it took this long too. Seems like a great opportunity for these younger guys to be get some TOI and being in a bit more "game shape" when camps open up. It is interesting though which prospect are and are not being loaned out. I'm surprised Senyshyn hasn't been loaned out or Frederic, you know guys that are competing for spots

I think part of the problem is in finding landing spots. These teams are taking in outside players that are replacing their roster players only to see the replacement players leave part way through the season. I am guessing there isn't a lot of capacity out there.

 

[aguineapig]

A reported Urho sighting has him scoring on his first shot, in his first game. His skating is a thing to behold, of course that was also said of Jonathan Aitken. But Urho has the hands and the smarts as well. Still think a Michael Thelven like player here.

 

[The Andrew Peeke Fan]

A reported Urho sighting has him scoring on his first shot, in his first game. His skating is a thing to behold, of course that was also said of Jonathan Aitken. But Urho has the hands and the smarts as well. Still think a Michael Thelven like player here.

He has a casualness about his game that I don't think people here will be partial to, but he will be good somewhere.

 

[kthx]

First off, Vaakanainen's goal:

1+0
1 penalty (tripping)
+/- +2
6 shots, 16,7%
TOI 24:54
PP TOI: 1:31
SH TOI: 5:14

Corsi a bit under 50%, but he had 15 defensive starts and 9 offensive starts.
PDO of 127,3 though.

Overall a great game on a bottom team in Liiga against the #1 team.

So seems like he is really fit at the moment, probably ready to eat minutes in NHL. As long as he is otherwise NHL ready.

 

[aguineapig]

First off, Vaakanainen's goal:

1+0
1 penalty (tripping)
+/- +2
6 shots, 16,7%
TOI 24:54
PP TOI: 1:31
SH TOI: 5:14

Corsi a bit under 50%, but he had 15 defensive starts and 9 offensive starts.
PDO of 127,3 though.

Overall a great game on a bottom team in Liiga against the #1 team.

So seems like he is really fit at the moment, probably ready to eat minutes in NHL. As long as he is otherwise NHL ready.

Earlier post referencing Thelven was more on where he would fit on the roster, i.e. plays p.k., second power play, good in all situations. Watching the video, my super sleuth scouting skills have determined in 25 seconds he reminds of Jay Boumeester. Also a 1st rounder, albeit much higher, he never developed into a lights out offensive type. Watch Uro at the beginning of the play, long strides gets him back into position, an effortless pivot forces the forward wide and breaks up the play. The goal is gravy. JayBo's game was all about his skating. JayBo played 18 yrs, an Olympic gold, and a Cup against whom I do not recall. I'd take that for a career.

 

[kthx]

Earlier post referencing Thelven was more on where he would fit on the roster, i.e. plays p.k., second power play, good in all situations. Watching the video, my super sleuth scouting skills have determined in 25 seconds he reminds of Jay Boumeester. Also a 1st rounder, albeit much higher, he never developed into a lights out offensive type. Watch Uro at the beginning of the play, long strides gets him back into position, an effortless pivot forces the forward wide and breaks up the play. The goal is gravy. JayBo's game was all about his skating. JayBo played 18 yrs, an Olympic gold, and a Cup against whom I do not recall. I'd take that for a career.

I agree. Urho already has U18 silver, U18 gold and U20 gold so he might be a traditional Finnish winner. Tonight he'll play in 2nd pairing with Vainio (#141 pick for CBJ 2015). That pairing is one of the best ones in Liiga so I expect Vaakanainen's corsi% to be a lot better tonight. Also the game tonight is a "local derby", first of the season.

Could Urhos potential technically be "more complete 2-way grzelcyk"?

 

[badbrewin]

A reported Urho sighting has him scoring on his first shot, in his first game. His skating is a thing to behold, of course that was also said of Jonathan Aitken. But Urho has the hands and the smarts as well. Still think a Michael Thelven like player here.

Thelven was one of my favorite low flair, good skating, just get the job done d-men of all time.

 

[Ratty]

Tonight Urho plays a game against KooKoo. How can he lose?

 

[kthx]

Tonight Urho plays a game against KooKoo. How can he lose?

KooKoo is like top-5 in Liiga at the moment and shots for first period are 13 to 2. For KooKoo.

 

[Ratty]

KooKoo is like top-5 in Liiga at the moment and shots for first period are 13 to 2. For KooKoo.

Guess I should have included a smilie.

 

[kthx]

Urhos loan in Finland is over. Practiced today and will return to North America along with Eetu Tuulola (#156 2016 CGY).

As said before, I think he's really fit at the moment and he could play a full season as top-6 D.

 

[Over the volcano]

What's the projection with this kid for the year- will we get a chance with the club or is it a season lost on the taxi squad?

 

[Over the volcano]

Just bumping to get thoughts on his future this year. Is he going to see any game time? They’re running way deep in the blue line and Grzelcyk
is due to be back soon. It’d be a shame for him to sit all year but I don’t see him jumping ahead of the guys in front of him right now