New York Rangers News

Home

Quizzes

Newsletter

Urho Vaakanainen, New York Rangers (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

Rangers’ Urho Vaakanainen Making a Difference Defensively

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Brian Abate | Last updated Feb 20, 2025 8:45 AM ET

The New York Rangers have made a few big trades this season including acquiring left-handed defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a fourth-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for their captain Jacob Trouba on Dec. 6. The move meant the team shed Trouba’s contract as he is signed through 2025-26 with an $8 million cap hit. They then signed star goaltender Igor Shesterkin to an eight-season, $92 million contract extension.

While the focus was on Trouba and Shesterkin immediately following the trade, Vaakanainen has played well for the Rangers and made a difference for them defensively.

Vaakanainen’s Play

The Boston Bruins drafted Vaakanainen 18th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft but he did not get consistent playing time with them and spent most of his time with the organization playing for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League (AHL). He made his NHL debut in 2018-19 but played in just 31 games for Boston in four seasons, finishing with no goals and six assists.

During the 2021-22 season, the Ducks acquired Vaakanainen in the trade that sent Hampus Lindholm to the Bruins. He missed some time with injuries but played 37 games and had no goals and four assists with the Ducks combined in 2021-22 and 2022-23. He played well defensively on their third defense pair last season, earned consistent ice time, and finished with one goal and 13 assists in 68 games.

In five games with the Ducks this season, Vaakanainen had no goals and one assist, and he was on injured reserve when the Rangers acquired him. He made his debut with the Blueshirts on Dec. 17 and earned a spot in the lineup on the team’s third defense pair and is now paired with Braden Schneider.

Vaakanainen is a smooth skater who makes smart, cautious plays with the puck and rarely gets caught out of position. He is not very physical but is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds and has shown a knack for staying with skilled opponents in the defensive zone. Though he is not known for his offensive skill, he has made clean passes out of the defensive zone to start the rush, and he has one goal and five assists in 23 games with the Rangers.

Additionally, Vaakanainen looked more comfortable playing on a pair with Schneider in the last few weeks before the break and has one goal and three assists in his last seven games. He also played in all three games for Finland in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Vaakanainen Could Play a Bigger Role With the Rangers

The Rangers recently signed right-handed defenseman Will Borgen to a five-season, $20.5 million extension but left-handed defenseman Ryan Lindgren is set to become an unrestricted free agent after this season and could be traded before the March 7 deadline. He is currently playing on the team’s top pair with Adam Fox and Vaakanainen would be one of the candidates to replace him on the top pair. He might also play a bigger role on the penalty kill if Lindgren is traded.

Additionally, Vaakanainen is signed to a one-year, $1.1 million contract and is set to become a restricted free agent after this season. He just turned 26 years old and while he has been injury-prone, he has also proven to be a steady, reliable defender.

As a team, the Rangers have struggled defensively this season, which makes Vaakanainen an important player for them now and in the future. Given that he has not produced a lot offensively in the NHL, he likely will not get a big contract but he is a valuable player and has certainly helped the Rangers.

For Vaakanainen Moving Forward

After an impressive first 23 games with his new team, the Rangers need Vaakanainen to continue playing well defensively down the stretch as they look to move up in the standings to make the playoffs. If he continues to play well, he can earn more ice time as well as a contract extension.