Urho Vaakanainen - NHL News & Rumors

Out of lineup more often than not Vaakanainen was scratched for the 10th time in 13 games in December when he sat out Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Islanders.

Impact Vaakanainen has been unable to claim a larger role in the absence of Adam Fox (upper body). Through 19 outings, Vaakanainen has three helpers, 12 shots on net, 13 blocked shots, six hits, 10 PIM and a minus-1 rating. He may stay on the NHL roster over Scott Morrow once Fox returns, but that's only because Morrow is waivers-exempt. Vaakanainen is likely to remain in a part-time role unless more injuries take a toll on the Rangers' blue line.

DECEMBER 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Helpers in consecutive games Vaakanainen logged an assist in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Lightning.

Impact Vaakanainen has two assists over his last two games. The defenseman missed a couple of contests last week due to a lower-body injury but has since reclaimed a spot on the third pairing over Matthew Robertson. Vaakanainen has three helpers, nine shots on net, eight blocked shots, eight PIM, five hits and a plus-3 rating over 13 appearances, so there's not a lot of upside in his playing style.

NOVEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Available for Saturday Vaakanainen (lower body) is available to be in the lineup versus the Islanders on Saturday, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

Impact Vaakanainen has missed two straight games. The 26-year-old's not guaranteed to be in the lineup, but if he returns to action, he'll likely be on the third pairing in place of Matthew Robertson.

NOVEMBER 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Not playing against Wings Vaakanainen (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus Detroit on Friday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Impact Vaakanainen will miss his second straight game due to his lower-body issue. When healthy, the 26-year-old blueliner has managed just one point in 10 outings, so few fantasy managers figure to be impacted by his continued absence. In the meantime, Matthew Robertson will feature on the third pair with Braden Schneider.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

On road trip Vaakanainen (lower body) made the trip with the team ahead of Friday's road clash with Detroit, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

Impact Vaakanainen might be ready to return following a one-game absence due to his lower-body issue but hasn't been confirmed in the lineup. This year, the 26-year-old blueliner has managed just one point in 10 outings and has never hit the 20-point threshold in his career. As such, fantasy managers can probably pursue other options even when Vaakanainen is healthy.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Urho Vaakanainen Out Against Hurricanes With Lower-Body Injury Urho Vaakanainen will miss the New York Rangers’ Tuesday night game against the Carolina Hurricanes with a lower-body injury.

NOVEMBER 5, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Ruled out Tuesday Vaakanainen (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

Impact Vaakanainen is still looking for his first goal of the season, managing just one helper in 10 outings. Considering the blueliner has just three tallies in his 197 career regular-season tilts, fantasy managers should probably expect his first goal of the year won't come any time soon. For now, Vaakanainen remains day-to-day and could still be an option versus the Wings on Friday.

NOVEMBER 4, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Managing lower-body injury Vaakanainen is considered day-to-day due to a lower-body injury, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports Monday.

Impact Vaakanainen has appeared in the Rangers' last three games, but his status for Tuesday's matchup against Carolina is up in the air due to his lower-body issue. If he's unable to suit up against the Hurricanes, Matthew Robertson will likely take his place in the lineup.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Plucks apple in overtime win Vaakanainen registered an assist and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 overtime win over the Oilers.

Impact Vaakanainen has been back in the lineup for two contests since he sat out three games as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old is unlikely to ever have a secure spot in the lineup this season, instead sharing time with Matthew Robertson when the Rangers' blue line is fully healthy. Vaakanainen's helper was his first point of the campaign to go with eight shots on net, six blocked shots, six PIM, three hits and a plus-2 rating across nine appearances.

OCTOBER 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

EP40 Throws His Weight Around

OCTOBER 29, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Trent Frederic scores, Stuart Skinner makes 30 saves as the Oilers shut out the Rangers 2-0

Trent Frederic scored, Stuart Skinner stopped all 30 shots he faced and the back-to-back defending Western Conference-champion Edmonton Oilers beat the New York Rangers 2-0

OCTOBER 15, 2025 • Associated Press

Rangers Interesting Defender Should Build Off Solid Year During this past season, the New York Rangers acquired defenseman Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Anaheim Ducks in ex...

SEPTEMBER 19, 2025 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

Contributes two assists Vaakanainen registered two assists, two shots on goal and two blocked shots in Wednesday's 8-5 loss to the Flyers.

Impact Vaakanainen has earned five assists over his last five contests. The 26-year-old has settled in well on the Rangers' third pairing since he was traded from the Ducks in December. For the season, he has a career-high 16 points (two goals, 14 helpers) with 41 shots on net, 48 blocked shots and a plus-7 rating over 48 outings.

APRIL 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Sends pair of helpers Vaakanainen notched two assists and went plus-2 in Saturday's 6-1 win over the Sharks.

Impact Vaakanainen helped out on Artemi Panarin's opening tally in the first period and Jonny Brodzinski's insurance marker in the third. Prior to Friday's game in Anaheim, Vaakanainen had been scratched three contests in a row, which suggests he's at risk of losing further playing time to Zac Jones down the stretch. Overall, Vaakanainen has 13 points, 36 shots on net, 18 hits, 44 blocked shots, 18 PIM and a plus-6 rating over 44 appearances between the Rangers and the Ducks this season.

MARCH 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Fresh Out the Oven! 🍞🚨

MARCH 30, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Pockets assist Vaakanainen notched an assist in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to the Flames.

Impact Vaakanainen ended a 10-game point drought, though he had a three-point outing prior to that slump. In Tuesday's contest, he set up Artemi Panarin's 30th goal of the season. Vaakanainen is at 11 points, 34 shots on net, 43 blocked shots and a plus-3 rating over 42 appearances between the Rangers and the Ducks. He's been paired with Adam Fox in recent contests, so Vaakanainen may get a bit more residual offense, but he's still a shutdown defender by nature.

MARCH 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Kadri, Coronato each score as Flames beat Rangers 2-1

Nazem Kadri and Matt Coronato scored first-period goals and the Calgary Flames beat the New York Rangers 2-1

MARCH 19, 2025 • Associated Press

Rangers Agree to Terms with Urho Vaakanainen | New York Rangers New York Rangers President and General Manager Chris Drury announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Urho Vaakanaine...

MARCH 7, 2025 • NHL.COM

Signs two-year extension Vaakanainen inked a two-year contract extension Friday.

Impact The 26-year-old defenseman was selected 18th overall by the Bruins in 2017 and was dealt from Anaheim to the Rangers on Dec. 6 in the Jacob Trouba trade. Vaakanainen has established himself with the Rangers and has two goals, seven assist and 26 blocked shots in 30 games with New York this season.

MARCH 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Three points in win Tuesday Vaakanainen recorded a goal and two assists in Tuesday's 5-1 win over the Islanders.

Impact Vaakanainen gave the Rangers a 1-0 lead at the 6:22 mark of the first period, scoring with a shot from the top of the right circle that deflected off Islanders defenseman Scott Perunovich. It was his second goal across his last four outings, but his impressive outing didn't stop there, as he also notched two helpers throughout the rest of the game. He's up to nine points in 26 contests this season, with four of those points coming in his last four appearances.

FEBRUARY 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Rangers' Urho Vaakanainen equates 4 Nations experience to NHL postseason Urho Vaakanainen is in his seventh NHL season, and the Rangers are his third team, but the 26-year-old defenseman never has reached the play...

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 • NYPOST.COM

Credited with goal Vaakanainen scored a goal in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Blue Jackets.

Impact Vaakanainen initially wasn't credited with the goal, but a late scoring change made it his first tally as a Ranger. It's also his first goal of the campaign to go with six assists over 28 appearances when accounting for his time with the Ducks at the start of the season. He's added 16 shots on net, 29 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. Vaakanainen has typically maintained a third-pairing role over Zac Jones, though both could end up out of the lineup if the Rangers make any more moves to add defensemen.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to play Vaakanainen (illness) will suit up Saturday versus the Blue Jackets, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

Impact Vaakanainen will return to the lineup after a two-game absence. He'll bump Zac Jones back to the press box as a healthy scratch. Vaakanainen has earned five assists and a plus-3 rating over 16 contests since the start of January. He'll play on the third pairing in his return.

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Game-time call Saturday Vaakanainen (illness) is expected to be a game-time decision Saturday versus Columbus, per Mollie Walker of the New York Post.

Impact Vaakanainen has six assists, 12 PIM, 12 hits and 29 blocks in 27 appearances between Anaheim and the Rangers this season. He's missed the past two games due to the illness. If Vaakanainen plays Saturday, it will likely be as part of the third pairing.

FEBRUARY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Still under the weather Vaakanainen (illness) won't be in action versus the Penguins on Friday, Peter Baugh of The Athletic reports.

Impact Vaakanainen will miss his second straight game due to his illness and probably should be considered a long shot at this point to play in the second game of the Rangers' back-to-back versus Columbus on Saturday -- though it's at least not a daytime contest. With Vaakanainen unavailable, Zac Jones figures to stay in the lineup after logging 13:30 of ice time against Boston on Wednesday.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Trent Frederic scores, Stuart Skinner makes 30 saves as the Oilers shut out the Rangers 2-0

Kadri, Coronato each score as Flames beat Rangers 2-1