As announced by the New York Rangers on Friday just hours before the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline, defenseman Urho Vaakanainen signed a two-year, $3.1 million contract with the Rangers. It has an average annual value of $1.55 million.
The 26-year-old defenseman could have become an unrestricted free agent as soon as July 1st prior to his extension from the Blueshirts' President and General Manager Chris Drury. He was acquired by the Blueshirts in a trade with the Anaheim Ducks along with a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft for defenseman Jacob Trouba on Dec. 6.
The Joensuu, Finland native has skated in 171 career NHL games between the Rangers, Ducks and Boston Bruins, notching 34 total career points so far.
#NYR and Urho Vaakanainen have agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. pic.twitter.com/Af8jkSPpfD
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) March 7, 2025
Vaakanainen has recorded nine points and a plus-2 rating in 30 games with the Blueshirts after being acquired from Anaheim on Dec. 6, 2024. Of his nine points, two are goals and seven are assists.
Since his Rangers debut on Dec. 17, Vaakanainen ranks tied for third among team defensemen in assists, fourth in points, and tied for fourth in plus/minus.
The 6'2", 205 pound skater was originally selected by Boston in the First Round, 18th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. Most recently he represented Finland in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. In terms of another international play, Vaakanainen has skated in three consecutive World Junior Championships (2017-19) and helped Finland to medals at the 2016 World U-18 Championship (gold) and 2017 World U-18 Championship (silver).