Prospect Info: 18th Overall (Round 1) - Urho Vaakanainen (D)

[GloryDaze4877]

I don't believe it was Cassidy who said it. I thought I read that Kevin Weekes talked to his Bruins people and they said that Krug was fine. Who knows at this point. My main point was that if Boston needs to go to Providence for defenseman, I don't think it's Vaakanainen.

Cassidy said to a reporter that he would not assume Krug was concussed and that he was day to day. Weekes did say on the NHL Network that people he knew around the team said Krug was “ok”. Not sure exactly what that means?

As far as UV goes, Divver said that he (and Lauzon) had missed the last couple of games before this past weekend, so not sure they will get the call at this point?

Hopefully, Moore is close and Krug and Clifton are back quick.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

Cassidy said to a reporter that he would not assume Krug was concussed and that he was day to day. Weekes did say on the NHL Network that people he knew around the team said Krug was “ok”. Not sure exactly what that means?

As far as UV goes, Divver said that he (and Lauzon) had missed the last couple of games before this past weekend, so not sure they will get the call at this point?

Hopefully, Moore is close and Krug and Clifton are back quick.

Vaakanainen was sick according to Divver, and played yesterday? Zboril is on re-call, so it appears he was the next guy if needed, but looks like Moore may be good to go according to morning practice.

 

[Saxon Eric]

UV didn't look particularly good yesterday,he's literally played a handful of games since January,I wouldn't count on him this year

 

[Gordon Lightfoot]

UV didn't look particularly good yesterday,he's literally played a handful of games since January,I wouldn't count on him this year

Yesterday was my first Providence game in years, and I agree. He didn’t look good. No one did.

 

[rocketdan9]

UV didn't look particularly good yesterday,he's literally played a handful of games since January,I wouldn't count on him this year

what was the issue with his game??

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

what was the issue with his game??

Rust.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Hey guys, where do you see UV playing in the early goings of this season, say around Halloween? NHL or AHL for more seasoning?

 

[KlausJopling]

2 of our bottom pairing guys are currently injured so i think UV will probably make the roster out of camp as 7th or 8th defenseman and gets in some games. But unless the Bruins get another injury or move out a defenseman he will probably be in the AHL for the bulk of the year (1st or 2nd call up though)

 

[Tbaybruin]

He will score the cup winning goal for us in June Can’t wait

 

[Caper Bruins fan]

2 of our bottom pairing guys are currently injured so i think UV will probably make the roster out of camp as 7th or 8th defenseman and gets in some games. But unless the Bruins get another injury or move out a defenseman he will probably be in the AHL for the bulk of the year (1st or 2nd call up though)

Remember how many defenceman went down last year early in the year ? I think we see a lot of Vaak this year .

 

[Jean_Jacket41]

Remember how many defenceman went down last year early in the year ? I think we see a lot of Vaak this year .

At one point, Lauzon was playing near 30min per game as the #1D when everyone was injured.

Bruins depth on D ain’t fair for others:

Chara
McAvoy
Krug
Carlo
Gryz
Clifton
UV
Lauzon
Moore
Miller
Kampfer
Zboril

 

[SoldiersOfFilth]

At one point, Lauzon was playing near 30min per game as the #1D when everyone was injured.

Bruins depth on D ain’t fair for others:

Chara
McAvoy
Krug
Carlo
Gryz
Clifton
UV
Lauzon
Moore
Miller
Kampfer
Zboril

and didnt we have a winning record with everyone out?

 

[BigGoalBrad]

Can anyone help with the amount of games he can play over the next 2 season before he has to be exposed to Seattle or protected?

 

[GlenFeatherstone]

Can anyone help with the amount of games he can play over the next 2 season before he has to be exposed to Seattle or protected?

Because he has the extra year on his entry level I believe he is expansion exempt.

 

[slim399]

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Gryz-Vaak
Clifton

Looks real solid to me.

I would love to see Vaak get some time playing with Chara as well like McAvoy and Carlo did.

 

[Seidenbergy]

Chara-McAvoy
Krug-Carlo
Gryz-Vaak
Clifton

Looks real solid to me.

I would love to see Vaak get some time playing with Chara as well like McAvoy and Carlo did.

Has Vaak ever played on his off/right side before? I don't believe he has and that's what you are proposing.

 

[BruinsBtn]

Because he has the extra year on his entry level I believe he is expansion exempt.

This is what I believe as well. The 19-year-old season in the AHL doesn't count as a pro year.

 

[UncleRico]

Vaak-McAvoy
Krug/Gryz-Carlo
Chara-Clifton

Trade Gryz or Krug(if we don’t feel like we can sign Krug this offseason) for a 2nd line RW.
Obviously with gryz you’ll need a bigger package to get a 2nd line RW.

Chara can move up to play with McAvoy in certain defensive situations, but this helps preserve chara for the playoffs

 

[Alicat]

I like him but I don't think he's ready to make the jump quite yet.

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

I like him but I don't think he's ready to make the jump quite yet.

He only played 32 professional games last year. Let him go down to Providence and play all situations. He needs to learn how to play in NA (ice size, physicality) and let him play in all situations + big minutes. In Liiga, Vaakanainen didn't put up a lot of points. May have just been due to usage, but clearly his offensive game is what he needs to work on. He's good defensively and on transition. So let him learn down on the "A" while Boston has plenty of depth for the NHL. He will get a look this season. I just don't see why now, even if he is our top defensive prospect. Lauzon, Zboril, etc. should get a look before him with Miller/Moore out.

 

[ODAAT]

This kid looks very smooth in the few games I have watched him in, not yet polished nor should I/we expect him to be for a while yet but you can see the possibilities of what might be down the road

 

[BruinsFanSince94]

This kid looks very smooth in the few games I have watched him in, not yet polished nor should I/we expect him to be for a while yet but you can see the possibilities of what might be down the road

A perfect partner for Charlie McAvoy.

 

[ODAAT]

A perfect partner for Charlie McAvoy.

yeah the kind of D-man whose play would allow CM to take a few more risks if he develops as we all hope he can

 

[Wings4Life]

Hi guys, love this prospect, and he's playing tonight. How does UV do in his draft + 3 season in the AHL? His historical AHL comparables are listed in this thread for reference:

Draft+3: 1st round pick Defencemen in the AHL (Foote/Liljegren/Joseph/Vaakanainen)

Vaak had some AHL success last year in his short stint, wonder if he can bring that level of play again and build off it?

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Thought Vaakanainen played solid last night.