Former Boston Bruins first-round pick was just traded in shocking deal

A former Boston Bruins first-round draft pick is on the move again, as he was recently traded by the Anaheim Ducks to the New York Rangers.

Urho Vaakanainen was the 18th overall pick by the Boston Bruins in 2017 and was originally traded to the Anaheim Ducks in 2021-2022, for Hampus Lindholm.

Vaakanainen has continually jumped between the AHL and NHL his entire career, until the 2023-24 season, where he played 68 games for the Ducks.

He'd score 14 points (1G, 13A) a career-high for the depth defenseman, who has seen only 5 NHL games, scoring 2 points( 1 G, 1 A) this season.

While Lindholm has found himself a regular in the Bruins lineup, he's failed to deliver the same impact for the Ducks.

While Vaakanainen wasn't able to crack a full-time position in Boston, his time in Anaheim allowed teams to get a look at his abilities.

 The Hockey News (h/t Black N' Gold Hockey) offered a scouting report on Vaakanainen:

"Excels at the defensive aspects of playing along the blueline, such as shot-blocking ability, shutdown qualities and a sound decision-making process with the puck. Is a solid puck mover with a fairly projectable frame. His offensive game will never be his calling card, so he is unlikely to become a No. 1 rearguard in the National Hockey League. Needs to add weight and get stronger to maximize his shutdown appeal and limit injuries, which have been an issue for him."

Vaakanainen signed a one-year deal with the Ducks, which pays him $1.1 million AAV and expires at the end of the 2024-25 season.

The New York Rangers will control his rights when the contract ends, as he is a pending RFA. Before the trade being completed today, he was placed on the injured reserve on Dec. 4.

For now, the Rangers save cap space by sending Jacob Trouba to Anaheim, along with his $8 Million cap hit. While they get to save $1.1 million buried on IR until Vaakanainen is healthy enough to return.

Could Vaakanainen be a difference-making defenseman for the Rangers? He's failed to develop into a defenseman the Bruins needed.

Will he suffer the same fate in the Big Apple?