Boston Bruins: Urho Vaakanainen is coming to America
By Sam Minton
The Boston Bruins 2017 1st round pick signed an entry-level deal and will be playing in North America for the first time next season.
The Boston Bruins just increased their depth at the defenseman position. 2017 1st round pick Urho Vaakanainen will be headed to North America as he signed a three-year entry-level deal worth $925,000.
Vaakanainen scored 4 goals and 7 assists in the Finnish Elite League last season. He is a 6’1″ defenseman who is described by Jeff Marek as “a player who shines on the defensive side of the puck at even strength and PK and has an uncanny ability to get his stick in shooting and passing lanes. Just don’t expect offense. He won’t be out there late in a game to tie it up, but you’ll love him out there protecting a lead.”
Vaakanainen also appeared in the 2018 World Juniors and had an assist in five games. As he heads to Boston he will have an opportunity to fight for a roster spot.
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The Bruins have a need for a defenseman. If they don’t make a move in the offseason Jakub Zboril, Vaakanainen and Jeremy Lauzon could be competing for a spot with the big club. The Bruins defense was a weak point during the playoffs and one of the main focuses for next season should be making that one of the teams stronger skills. It may be a cliche, but defense wins championships.
The issue for Vaakanainen is that the Bruins have a ton of right shot defenseman. The team is in desperate need of a lefty. Also even though the Bruins need to beef up in size, all of their big men are on the right side.
One of the things that Vaakanainen has going for him is his defensive skill. The Bruins have a lot of defensemen who are primarily focused on offense. Vaakanainen’s defensive abilities make him an intriguing possibility after a horrid showing by the defense in the playoffs.
Don Sweeney seems very intrigued to finally see Vaakanainen play in the States.
"“Vaakanainen’s a bit of a wild card,” he said, “for the fact that he’s played two years against men in Finland. So you just don’t know.“He skates really well and there’s been guys to make the jump. But we don’t feel we have to. Our right side isn’t lacking any size, in any way, shape, or form. Every one of those guys is over 200 pounds.”"
Next: Why the Bruins shouldn't sign Ilya Kovalchuk
The Boston Bruins need to improve on defense, and Urho Vaakanainen adds to there already deep group of young prospects.