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

[shveik]

Got him rated in the early teens, 4th defenseman in the draft, just outside the top 3 of Heiskanen, Makar and Liljegren. I think everyone gives him enough credit on defense. But while he doesn't own much in terms of highlight reel clips, I thought I saw flashes of subtle IQ brilliance on offence (watched a few Finland U18 games). I think it's a matter of opportunity, seems like sky's the limit.

 

[bobermay]

Agreed.

Vaakanainen is who I want the Leafs to select at 17 if Kostin is off the board.

 

[MMC]

Welcome to Boston!

 

[thomast]

Overrated player IMO. 3rd round talent. Lacks hockey sense at high pressure situations. Seems to run out of options when he is forechecked hard. At times when he is on his A game he is amazing but is inconsistent.

 

[WhalerTurnedBruin55]

Overrated player IMO. 3rd round talent. Lacks hockey sense at high pressure situations. Seems to run out of options when he is forechecked hard. At times when he is on his A game he is amazing but is inconsistent.

Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong. But first overly negative post about him in this whole thread, of course right after he was drafted.

 

[BostonBob]

I just went and watched Bob McKenzie's Final Draft Ranking show and he had Vaakanainen ranked # 22 ( a jump of 2 spots from his mid-season rankings ) so it looks like the Bruins didn't reach all that much.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Just watched my two main targets for the habs go to Boston and New York.

 

[thomast]

Maybe you are right, maybe you are wrong. But first overly negative post about him in this whole thread, of course right after he was drafted.

I've watched him since he was 14 year old since he played on junior team in my hometown. I believe he is reach at 19. He is still young player and has room to grow. It's impossible to predict how players will develope but right now i think he was overrated in this draft.

 

[Finnished]

His name literally means scale woman in Finnish (vaaka = scale, nainen = woman). Don't really know how to get a nickname from that. But what the vaak puns will be common someday lol.

 

[JJTT]

Next season should tell us more about his potential since he will most likely be a #1 defenseman with PP/PK time with SaiPa.

 

[torniojaws]

His name literally means scale woman in Finnish (vaaka = scale, nainen = woman). Don't really know how to get a nickname from that. But what the vaak puns will be common someday lol.

Well, it actually is split up by: vaakana-inen

Vaakana also comes from "scales" however The root is in the deity of wine, Bacchus, which in old Russian is "Vakh" and where it then ended up in Finnish as "Vaaka" and hence the name Vaakana from Savo region.

The Vaakana- people probably were barkeeps or wine storage owners.

 

[Loffer]

Well, it actually is split up by: vaakana-inen

Vaakana also comes from "scales" however The root is in the deity of wine, Bacchus, which in old Russian is "Vakh" and where it then ended up in Finnish as "Vaaka" and hence the name Vaakana from Savo region.

The Vaakana- people probably were barkeeps or wine storage owners.

Interesting insights, torniojaws. Indeed, Vaakanainen is a product of the Russian linguistic system, so, almost a Russian prospect with subtle but definitive Russian factor in him.

 

[LouJersey]

Any updates on how he played this past season?

 

[TheFinnishTrap]

Any updates on how he played this past season?

He has grown very nicely into a top pairing Liiga-defender. Solid all around.

 

[BKarchitect]

Where’s he playing in 18-19? Looks like his deal with SaiPa was only for last season, Bruins bringing him to Providence?

 

[JJTT]

Where’s he playing in 18-19? Looks like his deal with SaiPa was only for last season, Bruins bringing him to Providence?

Yep.

 

[ChicagoBullsFan]

Yep.

Is Vaakanainen signed ELC contract with Boston?

 

[teravaineSAROS]

Interesting insights, torniojaws. Indeed, Vaakanainen is a product of the Russian linguistic system, so, almost a Russian prospect with subtle but definitive Russian factor in him.

That's stupid, so many Finnish names, words and people derive from something Russian related.

A lot of people (myself included) have part Russian ancestry.

 

[Loffer]

That's stupid, so many Finnish names, words and people derive from something Russian related.

A lot of people (myself included) have part Russian ancestry.

Yup. Not my best posts here. Something lacking there, in humour and substance, in acuteness and implications. I apologize for these deficits but then again that text has already expired in its short term actuality and I have lifted the quality standards for my writings here. It is a wise policy since I can use this platform as a sketch board for my more serious works I get my name and living of.

 

[Estlin]

Is Vaakanainen signed ELC contract with Boston?

Yes.



I've heard that Boston is very high on Urho. He could turn out to be McAvoy's partner on the top line in a couple of seasons. This may be Boston's top four in two seasons:

Vaakanainen-McAvoy
Zboril-Carlo

 

[FinPanda]

If he can improve offensively, he will be incredible. He is a very good defensive defenseman at the moment.

 

[NotProkofievian]

If he can improve offensively, he will be incredible. He is a very good defensive defenseman at the moment.

I ranked him ahead of Erik Brännström last year. I'm still fine with that ranking.

 

[Emerz]

Vaakanainen made the Bruins out of camp, at least for now as Krug is out 4-5 weeks.

Had a very impressive preseason, very smooth puck mover and calm under pressure.

Looks like he will be on PP1 with Marchy/Bergy/Pasta as well.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

So, that means every Finnish Dman selected in 2017 first round has made their teams. Preeeeeeeetttty good.

 

[FinPanda]

Not long ago we didn't have even 6 defensemen in the NHL. Now we have 11 who made the roster, I think.