Latest Injury update on the New York Rangers newly acquired defenseman Urho Vaakanainen
Photo credit: NBC Sports
The New York Rangers have acquired defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks for Jacob Trouba. The defenseman has been placed on injured reserve prior to the trade.
Since then we've only seen Urho Vaakanainen as he was on the ice at Rangers practice in a green non-contact jersey.
Head Coach Peter Laviolette was asked about the defenseman's timetable to return to the ice in the NHL.
When asked about it over the weekend, Peter Laviolette did not put a timeline for when Vaakanainen will be ready to play but was happy to see him out on the ice
However, the possibility remains for Vaakanainento be sent down to the AHL once he's healthy and ready to suit up.
«He's out there, so that's good, he's starting to mix in.» Laviolette said. «The fact that he's out there, that's good.»
Laviolette wouldn't divulge more than that, as his status hasn't changed in the meantime.
But Vaakanainen himself is excited to be associated with the Rangers, and their rich history as an original-six NHL team.
«First thought is like awesome. Rangers is an Original Six team,» Vaakanainen said. «Obviously, a big team and I'm super excited to be here. First thoughts were obviously a big shock. You don't really expect to get traded but when I heard the Rangers, I was hype.»
In 2023-2024 he played 68 games for the Anaheim Ducks, scored 14 points( 1 G, 13 A), and has been a depth defenseman during his career in the NHL.
He has seen stints in the AHL along the way and last played with the San Diego Gulls in 2022-2023, and would only suit up for the Ducks minor league club once.
Is Vaakanainen mature enough for a longer stint in the NHL, or will he have to prove himself amongst other young defensemen like Victor Mancini, Braden Schneider, and Zac Jones?
Vaakanainen was selected in the first round by the Boston Bruins back during the 2017 NHL Draft. He has been with the Ducks since being traded by Boston in 2022.
This season he's played only 5 games for the Anaheim Ducks and has scored 1 point in that time frame.
This season he's played only 5 games for the Anaheim Ducks and has scored 1 point in that time frame.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 11 | 664 ANSWERS Latest Injury update on the New York Rangers newly acquired defenseman Urho Vaakanainen Do you think defenseman Urho Vaakanainen can win a spot in the New York Rangers regular lineup this season? | ||
| Yes | 318 | 47.9 % |
| No | 346 | 52.1 % |
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