Vaakanainen appeared in the last three games with the Bruins before being sent to the AHL in a "paper move." He has not recorded a point but has averaged 17:25 TOI/gm and will likely be in the lineup in New Jersey on Tuesday.
With Torey Krug out, Vaakanainen will play in his third career NHL game on Tuesday. The former first-round pick (No.18 overall in 2017) didn't register a point in two NHL games last year and had two assists in 15 AHL games before being called-up on Monday.
Tore Krug was hurt late in Sunday's game vs. the Flyers, so Vaakanainen's call-up suggests that Krug will miss Tuesday's game and the 20-year-old defenseman will make his season debut. Vaakanainen was a first-round pick (No.18 overall) in 2017 and has two assists in 15 games with Providence this season.
Vaakanainen has not played since October 23rd and is expected to miss at least a few more games. Vaakanainen has no resumed skating and will likely head back to the AHL once he is healthy anyways.
Vaakanainen was forced to leave Tuesday’s game in Ottawa after getting elbowed in the face by Mark Borowiecki. Borowiecki will face supplemental discipline from the NHL for the hit.
Vaakanainen, 19, has registered two assists in six games with Providence so far this season. The 2017 first round pick (No.18 overall) could draw into the lineup in Vancouver after being called-up on an emergency basis, suggesting someone is hurt.
