Urho Vaakanainen Signs Two-Year Extension with Rangers
The New York Rangers have extended Vaakanainen on a two-year, $1.55M AAV deal.
Apparently Chris Drury is doing more than scouring the trade market as the deadline approaches, with the organization announcing an Urho Vaakanainen extension worth two years at $1.55 million per.
2 x $1.55M https://t.co/gaUHgcVYyu
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) March 7, 2025
Vaakanainen has fit in well in a bottom-pairing role with the team this year, and at these terms it was really a no brainer extension. Especially at that price.
In 35 games with the Rangers this year, he has two goals, eight assists, for 10 points.
If the Rangers somehow come to a place where they have six defenseman who are better (or at least who they like more), then Vaakanainen can slot in as the 7th defenseman or go to Hartford to really no cap hit. That said, he's been fine on the third pair this year, and if the moves the Rangers have made so far are any indication, that's where he'll remain.
You know my rule, if a guy can be placed in the minors without a cap hit impact at the NHL level, you really can't complain about the deal.
Thoughts on this?
