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Urho Vaakanainen News
Vaakanainen (undisclosed) is out vs. Detroit on Friday and is without a timetable to return.

Drew Helleson will make his season debut on Friday, replacing Vaakanainen, who is out indefinitely due to an undisclosed injury. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen is averaging 13:36 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A), and seven blocks in five games.

Urho Vaakanainen
Vaakanainen will draw back into the Ducks' lineup on Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Jackson Lacombe will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup for the first time since October 13th. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen played 68 games with the Ducks last season but has been limited to only one through 11 games for the Ducks in 2024-25.

Urho Vaakanainen
The Ducks signed Urho Vaakanainen to a one-year contract.

Vaakanainen will return to Anaheim for a fourth season after the 25-year-old signed a one-year contract extension to remain a Duck on Monday. The stay-at-home defenseman scored his first career NHL goal in 2023-24 after five previous seasons and ended with a career-high 14 points in 68 games played.

Urho Vaakanainen
Vaakanainen is expected to be a healthy scratch on Friday vs. Seattle.

Vaakanainen has appeared in 65 games this season for Anaheim but will head to the press box on Friday as he is replaced by Radko Gudas, who is returning from injury. The 25-year-old played in 68 career NHL games across six separate seasons before sticking with the Ducks this year and has taken a massive step forward with his 14 points (1G/13A), 66 SOG and 26 PIMs in 65 games in 2023-24.

Urho Vaakanainen