Vaakanainen will re-enter Anaheim's lineup against the Kraken on Saturday in place of the injured Radko Gudas (lower-body). Vaakanainen has no goals and six assists in 24 games this season.
Vaakanainen suffered a lower-body injury in the Ducks game vs. Arizona on January 28th and was placed on IR in advance of Monday's game in Dallas. Kevin Shattenkirk is expected to be back in the Ducks lineup to replace Vaakanainen.
Vaakanainen has yet to collect a point even though he has seven shots and is a -5 plus/minus through seven games this season but will be a healthy scratch Tuesday as he is replaced by Colton White.
Vaakanainen crashed heavily into the end boards in Friday's preseason game and had to be stretchered off of the ice. The Ducks said that Vaakanainen was released from the hospital on Friday night and continues to improve. They have yet to issue another update but expect Vaakanainen to miss the start of the season.
Vaakanainen reportedly left warmups earlier than usual and is listed as a scratch for Monday's afternoon game vs. Colorado. Connor Clifton will replace him on the third pair.
Vaakanainen will play for the first time since February 1st, replacing Connor Clifton on the third pair. Vaakanainen has picked up four assists in 13 games while averaging 19:10 TOI/gm this season.
Jeremy Lauzon is likely facing a suspension, so Vaakanainen is here to replace him in the lineup in Detroit. The 21-year-old, former first-round pick (No.18 overall in 2017) has 12 points (4G / 8A) in 42 AHL games this season.
Vaakanainen appeared in the last three games with the Bruins before being sent to the AHL in a "paper move." He has not recorded a point but has averaged 17:25 TOI/gm and will likely be in the lineup in New Jersey on Tuesday.
With Torey Krug out, Vaakanainen will play in his third career NHL game on Tuesday. The former first-round pick (No.18 overall in 2017) didn't register a point in two NHL games last year and had two assists in 15 AHL games before being called-up on Monday.
