Player Discussion Urho Vaakanainen

[CrazyDuck4u]

Vaks and Gudas is a perfect shutdown pair.. PK Pair.. Keep them together.. Gudas is a +15 on this team.. Wow.. Love the guy... Him and Vaks should stick together for atleast as long as Gudas is here for.

 

[robbieboy3686]

Vaks and Gudas is a perfect shutdown pair.. PK Pair.. Keep them together.. Gudas is a +15 on this team.. Wow.. Love the guy... Him and Vaks should stick together for atleast as long as Gudas is here for.

+1

 

[Ducksforcup]

Vaaks has been one of the bright spots this season for sure. I would be happy to have him on the backend next season.

 

[FiveHoleTickler]

Yeah I don't think anyone had completely written him off but it was fair to have very little expectations given his inability to stay healthy

On here? Plenty did. The majority that voiced their opinion did. Very, very few had him on their roster predictions before training camp and plenty would baulk at the ones who did.

Some who were crapping on Verbeek for trading Lindholm, Manson, and Rakell wanted him to be bad to further their narrative. Now they're changing their tune.

Absof***inglutely this.

 

[Leonardo87]

Really good numbers...

 

[Big Fat Rebound]

At least to me, he’s basically what Jacob Larsson was supposed to develop into. Good on him, he and Gudas have real chemistry

 

[DuckDuckGetz]

Really good numbers...

View attachment 812808

His FGCB/60 (First Goals Called Back/60) is also elite

 

[MMC]

 

[Smirnov2Chistov]

Someone here said that he reminds them of Lydman (I agree) - just that injury history worries me.

 

[DavidBL]

Someone here said that he reminds them of Lydman (I agree) - just that injury history worries me.

I remember Lydman as a tank. Maybe not a overtly physical player like Beauch but he wasn't losing physical battles.

 

[TopShelfWaterBottle]

I remember Lydman as a tank. Maybe not an overtly physical player like Beauch but he wasn't losing physical battles.

Until abdelkater or however you spell it ruined his career

 

[Lord Flashheart]

Someone here said that he reminds them of Lydman (I agree) - just that injury history worries me.

He's not close to being positionally sound as Lydmam. Also, that backhand off the glass to clear the zone was legendary.

And most important, abdelkader is a POS.

 

[duckaroosky]

He deserves it with how many 1st goals he's had overturned

 

[neelynugs]

seems like you guys are crowded on that left side. is vaak gonna be moved? nice to see him pan out, always
seemed like a good kid.

 

[Duck Off]

seems like you guys are crowded on that left side. is vaak gonna be moved? nice to see him pan out, always
seemed like a good kid.

Honestly unsure at this point. He’s too good to let walk imo. Gotta think one of he or LaCombe is moved at some point though. My guess is that it’d be Vaaks but who knows

 

[Sean Garrity]

seems like you guys are crowded on that left side. is vaak gonna be moved? nice to see him pan out, always
seemed like a good kid.

Honestly unsure at this point. He’s too good to let walk imo. Gotta think one of he or LaCombe is moved at some point though. My guess is that it’d be Vaaks but who knows

He had a real good year last year, and is still relatively inexperienced for a defenseman his age so I think there is still room for growth. Like Duck Off said though, his lack of versatility (Lacombe can play both sides) and lack of offensive upside may lead him to being the odd man out. He’s a NHL defenseman IMO though.

 

[neelynugs]

He had a real good year last year, and is still relatively inexperienced for a defenseman his age so I think there is still room for growth. Like Duck Off said though, his lack of versatility (Lacombe can play both sides) and lack of offensive upside may lead him to being the odd man out. He’s a NHL defenseman IMO though.

i'd take him back in boston as a lower cost option for the D. but i think they may go with a better/more experienced guy.

 

[Hockey Duckie]

seems like you guys are crowded on that left side. is vaak gonna be moved? nice to see him pan out, always
seemed like a good kid.

Vaak was finally healthy for a full season since being traded and looked very good defensively when paired with another shutdown guy like Gudas. Also, he can play on the PK. Vaak needs to keep seasoning as a 3rd pairing in hopes he can improve to carry his pair mate. Vaak cannot play the right side.

As for the crowding of the left side, if GM Verbeek is insistent on keeping defensemen on their shooting side, then yes, the left side is crowded with Vaak probably the 5th LD on the totem pole.

I don't know if Vaak will be moved for or just become a UFA. Since GM Verbeek traded for Vaak, there's a chance he might be kept.

 

[Bergey37]

He had a real good year last year, and is still relatively inexperienced for a defenseman his age so I think there is still room for growth. Like Duck Off said though, his lack of versatility (Lacombe can play both sides) and lack of offensive upside may lead him to being the odd man out. He’s a NHL defenseman IMO though.

He is that and I think a great partner for an offensive-minded RHD. All teams need hard, stay-at-home D like Vaaks; I hope we can keep him.