Vaakanainen was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks earlier this season and has earned himself a two-year, $3.10 million contract extension with the Rangers. The 26-year-old defenseman has averaged 15:599 time-on-ice and scored nine points (2G / 7A) in 30 games with the Rangers this season.
Vaakanainen was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Rangers not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Zac Jones will draw into the lineup in his place.
Vaakanainen was acquired in a trade last week that sent Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks and will make his debut on Tuesday against the Nashville Predaotrs. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen was the 18th overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played a career-high 68 games with the Ducks last season, tallying 14 points (1G / 13A). Connor Mackey will be a healthy scratch for the Rangers.
Vaakanainen was limited to only five games with the Ducks this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A), and will get a fresh start with the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen was the 18th overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played a career-high 68 games with the Ducks last season, tallying 14 points (1G / 13A).
Drew Helleson will make his season debut on Friday, replacing Vaakanainen, who is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed injury. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen is averaging 13:36 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A), and seven blocks in five games.
Jackson Lacombe will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup for the first time since October 13th. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen played 68 games with the Ducks last season but has been limited to only one through 11 games for the Ducks in 2024-25.
Olen Zellweger will draw back into the Ducks' lineup on Wednesday, sending Vaakanainen to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen is in his seventh NHL season. He had 14 points (1G / 13A) in 68 games with the Ducks last season.
After being a healthy scratch in Anaheim's season-opening win, Urho Vaakanainen will make his season debut in place of Olen Zellweger on Sunday. The 25-year-old had a goal, 14 points, and 26 PIMs in 68 games with the Ducks in 2023-24.
Vaakanainen will return to Anaheim for a fourth season after the 25-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain a Duck on Monday. The stay-at-home defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in 2023-24 after five previous seasons and ended with a career-high 14 points in 68 games played.
Vaakanainen has appeared in 65 games this season for Anaheim but will head to the press box on Friday as he is replaced by Radko Gudas, who is returning from injury. The 25-year-old played in 68 career NHL games across six separate seasons before sticking with the Ducks this year and has taken a massive step forward with his 14 points (1G/13A), 66 SOG and 26 PIMs in 65 games in 2023-24.
Vaakanainen will draw right back into the lineup after sitting out Tuesday's game as Owen Zellweger will be the odd-man out on Thursday. Vaakanainen has one goal and twelve assists in 61 games this season.
Vaakanainen will be the odd-man out in Seattle on Tuesday. William Lagesson will draw into the lineup in his place.
Vaakanainen will be right back in Anaheim's lineup on Tuesday after sitting out Sunday's game against the Islanders. He'll skate alongside the Ducks' newest player, William Lagesson, on the team's third pair.
Gustav Lindstrom will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup after not playing on Monday. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen has nine points (1G / 8A), 48 shots, and 56 hits in 46 games this season.
Jackson Lacombe will draw back into the lineup on Monday, sending Vaakanainen to the press box as a healthy scratch. Vaakanainen has nine points (1G / 8A), 48 shots, and 56 blocks in 46 games this season.
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.
