Urho Vaakanainen

Urho Vaakanainen

25-Year-Old DefensemanD
Anaheim Ducks
2023 Fantasy Outlook
Vaakanainen was taken by Boston with the No. 18 overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, but he hasn't developed as hoped. The defenseman was dealt from Boston to Anaheim in March 2022 as part of the package that sent Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins and the change of scenery hasn't helped Vaakanainen. He had two assists, 18 hits and 28 blocks in 23 contests with Anaheim last season before getting hurt Jan. 28 and undergoing hip surgery in March. The 24-year-old was projected to need five-to-six months to recover dating back to the time of the operation, so it wouldn't be surprising if he was healthy for the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Even still, he probably won't be more than a third-pairing option in Anaheim, and he might even find himself occasionally serving as a healthy scratch. Read Past Outlooks
$Signed a two-year contract extension with the Ducks in July of 2022.
Picks up assist Thursday
DAnaheim Ducks
March 29, 2024
Vaakanainen registered a shorthanded assist in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the Kraken.
ANALYSIS
Vaakanainen helped out on an Isac Lundestrom tally early in the third period. With four helpers over 12 appearances in March, Vaakanainen has put together a solid month for a depth defenseman. He's at 14 points, 63 shots on net, 74 blocked shots, 44 hits and 24 PIM through 62 appearances this season, though he isn't guaranteed to be in the lineup every game.
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NHL Stats
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2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2023 NHL Game Log
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2022 NHL Game Log
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2021 NHL Game Log
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2020 NHL Game Log
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2019 NHL Game Log
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2023–24 Time On Ice Stats
  • Average Time On Ice:
    17:29
  • Average Power Play TOI:
    0:02
  • Average Short-Handed TOI:
    1:56
 
Ice Time
Power Play
Short-Handed
2021–22
19:21
0:37
0:35
2021–22
19:17
0:05
2:16
2022–23
16:27
0:03
0:24
2023–24
17:29
0:02
1:56
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Ducks Power Play Depth Chart
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Might be scratched Friday
DAnaheim Ducks
April 5, 2024
Vaakanainen might be a healthy scratch Friday versus Seattle, according to Derek Lee of The Hockey News.
ANALYSIS
Vaakanainen has a goal, 14 points, 26 PIM, 49 hits and 77 blocks in 65 contests this season. His projected departure from the lineup coincides with Radko Gudas' expected return from an upper-body injury. If the Ducks' defense remains relatively healthy, Vaakanainen and William Lagesson might start rotating in and out of the lineup going forward.
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2022
2019
2018
A first-round pick for the Bruins in 2017 (18th overall), Vaakanainen split last season between Boston and Anaheim, appearing in 29 games and posting six assists. Vaakanainen has yet to score a goal through his first 45 NHL games spread over parts of four separate seasons. There's room for immediate and significant playing time on a rebuilding Ducks team in 2022-23, but everything we have seen from Vaakanainen thus far tells us he's best suited as a depth option for Anaheim.
In addition to making a two-game cameo with the Bruins, the No. 18 overall pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft registered four goals and 14 points in 30 games for AHL Providence last season. The 20-year-old's calling cards are his smooth skating and good stick, but it remains to be seen what sort of offensive ceiling he has at the NHL level. Given the team's current blue-line depth, Vaakanainen is probably destined to see some more AHL time in 2019-20, but the young Finn has established himself as the team's top blue-line prospect and it's only a matter of time before he becomes a fixture in Boston.
The 18th overall pick from the 2017 NHL Entry Draft registered four goals and 11 points in 43 games last season while playing for SaiPa in the Finnish Liiga. The 19-year-old is a smooth skater with a good stick, but it remains to be seen what sort of offensive ceiling he has. He'll have a shot to make the big club in his first campaign in North America, but given the team's blue-line depth, Vaakanainen will probably open the 2018-19 season in the AHL.
More Fantasy News
Bags apple in win
DAnaheim Ducks
March 22, 2024
Vaakanainen recorded an assist in Thursday's 4-0 win over the Blackhawks.
ANALYSIS
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Records assist Tuesday
DAnaheim Ducks
March 12, 2024
Vaakanainen posted an assist in Tuesday's 7-2 loss to the Blackhawks.
ANALYSIS
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Posts helper
DAnaheim Ducks
March 3, 2024
Vaakanainen registered an assist in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Canucks.
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Supplies assist in loss
DAnaheim Ducks
February 22, 2024
Vaakanainen recorded an assist and two hits in Wednesday's 7-4 loss to the Blue Jackets.
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Slides assist in win
DAnaheim Ducks
January 27, 2024
Vaakanainen notched an assist, four hits and four blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Wild.
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