This week, the New York Rangers announced they would part ways with their captain Jacob Trouba, trading him to the Anaheim Ducks and clearing $8 million in cap space. In return for Trouba, the Rangers received a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2025 and defenseman Urho Vaakanainen. This article will provide Rangers fans with key information about their new player and what he can contribute to the team in the future.
**Who is Urho Vaakanainen?**
Vaakanainen, born on January 1, 1999, is a 25-year-old left-shot defenseman from Joensuu, Finland. He was selected by the Boston Bruins with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft after a solid Liiga season with JYP, where he recorded two goals and four assists in 41 games. In the AHL, he has achieved 11 goals and 28 assists for a total of 39 points across 119 games, averaging 0.32 points per game.
In the NHL, split between the Bruins and Ducks, Vaakanainen has tallied one goal and 24 assists for 25 points in 141 games, yielding a 0.17 points-per-game average. While he has developed a reputation as a solid defensive player, he has struggled to secure a permanent position in the NHL. As the Rangers aim to enhance their defensive roster, Vaakanainen could play a crucial depth role and potentially establish himself as a reliable bottom-pairing defender.
**Vaakanainen’s Injury Concerns**
One of the main drawbacks of acquiring Vaakanainen is his injury history and the uncertainty surrounding his ability to stay healthy, given his lengthy list of injuries. In early 2022, he suffered a face injury just before being traded from the Bruins to the Ducks, and shortly thereafter, an undisclosed injury sidelined him until March 29, 2022. The following offseason, an upper-body injury kept him out until November 27, 2022. He was then placed on injured reserve on February 6, 2023, due to a lower-body injury that limited him for part of the 2022-23 season. Recently, he was placed on injured reserve again on December 4, 2024, but is expected to return soon. While his injury history could be concerning for fans, the Rangers are taking a chance on him, hoping he can maintain his health and secure a full-time spot in the NHL.
**Vaakanainen Was Once Viewed as a Top Defensive Prospect**
Leading up to the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Vaakanainen was highly regarded as one of the top defensive prospects available. Scouts and analysts commended his composure in the defensive zone and superior ice vision compared to his peers.
“An intelligent, two-way defender (6-0, 185) who can read plays well, has good vision, and an impressive skill set that includes skating, passing, and an accurate shot. He is a dependable team player with a strong defensive game.”
— Mike Morreale, NHL.com (January 20, 2017)
Although he hasn’t yet had the opportunity to fully demonstrate why he was so highly regarded, he has shown glimpses of being an effective bottom-pairing defenseman during his time with both the Bruins and Ducks. His capacity to neutralize opponents and excel in transition should be an asset for the Rangers as he recovers from injury. It’s possible that the Rangers have gained an advantage in the Trouba trade, particularly given Trouba’s defensive inconsistencies compared to Vaakanainen, but only time will reveal how well he fits into the team’s lineup as they approach the postseason.
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