When it comes to NHL Entry Drafts and the Boston Bruins, things don't always go hand-in-hand, especially in the first round. There have been more busts than successes, which I know is hard to believe.
Right now, the Bruins are hoping that James Hagens, selected sixth overall in the 2025 Entry Draft, can stick with the big club out of training camp. However, one former Bruins 2017 first-round draft pick, 18th overall, Urho Vaakanainen, might be finding a new home once again.
Former Bruins first-round draft pick Urho Vaakanainen was placed on waivers
Vaakanainen was placed on waivers by the New York Rangers on Tuesday as part of a slew of players who were placed on waivers. The number of players being put on waivers is only going to climb over the coming days, but whether or not many, if any, get claimed remains to be seen.
As for Vaakaninen, he has played in 80 games over the last two seasons for the Rangers with two goals and 19 assists. He averaged 16:43 two years ago in New York, but that dropped by over two minutes last season to 13:51. The 27-year-old has played in 221 games with 46 points since making his NHL debut with the Black and Gold in the 2018-19 season.
Bruins traded Urhoo Vaakanainen for a key piece of the 2026-27 defense
Sweeney parted ways with Vaakanainen at the trade deadline in March of 2022 to the Anaheim Ducks along with John Moore, a first-round pick in the 2022 Entry Draft, a second-round pick in 2023, and a second-round pick in 2024 for Hampus Lindholm. After the trade, the Bruins locked up Lindholm long-term, and he has been a big part of the defense when healthy.
Vaakanainen last played just two-plus years in Southern California with the Ducks and was sent to the Rangers and a fourth-round pick in the 2025 Entry Draft for defenseman Jacob Trouba.
Vaakanainen had his chance with the Bruins, but it just never worked out. Sweeney capitalized on him being young and a former first-round pick to make him the centerpiece of a trade that landed a veteran blueliner. A team in need of depth on the backend would likely put a claim in on the 6-foot-2 Vaakanainen, but if there are any Boston fans out there thinking a reunion might be in order with the Black and Gold, that's not happening with all the defensemen coach Marco Sturm currently has in camp.
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