Rangers Daily: Vaakanainen among 1st cuts; Messier ‘horrified’ with Oilers

September 24, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

Just two seasons ago, Urho Vaakanainen recorded a career-high 15 points in only 46 games with the New York Rangers, after they acquired the defenseman from the Anaheim Ducks in the December 2024 Jacob Trouba trade.

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General manager Chris Drury moved quickly to sign Vaakanainen to a two-year, $3.1 million contract in the 2025 offseason. But new coach Mike Sullivan had little use for the former first-round pick last season, and Vaakanainen soon lost his spot on the third defense pair to Matthew Robertson, after being in the lineup on opening night.

Now, on Wednesday, he cleared waivers and was among the first five players cut by the Rangers from their training camp roster.

The Rangers assigned the 27-year-old to Hartford of the American Hockey League. It’s his first trip to the minors since he played one game for AHL San Diego in 2022-23. His most recent extended stay in the minor leagues was 2021-22 with Providence of the AHL.

It’s the right move. Vaakanainen played 34 games last season with the Rangers, but primarily was their extra defenseman sitting in the press box. He didn’t stand out on either side of the puck, though was an adequate seventh defensemen when compared to others around the League.

But his time ran out on Broadway this fall. Alberts Smits could very well land that left side slot on the third pair, the Rangers upgraded their second defense pairing with Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi, and Robertson’s still here. Add in concern that younger defensemen Scott Morrow and Vincent Iorio could be claimed if placed on waivers, and you see how easily dispensable Vaakanainen was for the Rangers.

It’s a similar story for Juuso Parssinen, who also cleared waivers and was assigned to Hartford. The 25-year-old forward was acquired in the 2024-25 season, and Drury rushed to sign him as well, only to have Sullivan sour on him quickly last season. Parssinen landed in Hartford last season, and didn;t seem to be in the mix for a bottom-six spot with the Rangers during training camp. That’s despite a pretty good showing Monday in the Rangers preseason opener against the Devils.

The Rangers also assigned young forward Bryce McConnel-Barker to Hartford on Wednesday, as well as veterans Justin Dowling and Dennis Choloweski. Goalie Spencer Martin will join them soon enough, since the Rangers placed him on waivers Wednesday.

New York Rangers news and analysis

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The latest Rink Rap podcast features an in-depth look at the Rangers halfway through the preseason and less than a week away from opening night. Check it out at the Forever Blueshirts YouTube page.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s next for the Rangers and Adam Sykora now that the 22-year-old forward is out 4-5 months with a lower-body injury.

Lou Orlando dives into why coach Mike Sullivan is so happy with the Rangers better “puck-moving” so far in camp and preseason.

NHL news and rumors

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TSN: Former Rangers captain and Edmonton Oilers legend Mark Messier, who’s an ESPN hockey analyst now, said on a media conference call Wednesday that he’s “shocked” and “horrified” that the Oilers hired Mike Babcock as coach this offseason, after he’d been uspended by the League for years due to inappropriate conduct in his previous coaching stop with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Daily Faceoff: Brady Tkachuk is day to day with an undisclosed injury sustained a Florida Panthers preseason game Tuesday, but should be ready for the regular-season opener next week.

New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols provides a Devils stock report — who’s trending up, who’s trending down — halfway through the preseason.

Sportsnet: Top overall pick Gavin McKenna wowed his Toronto Maple Leafs teammates and coaches in his second preseason game Wednesday night.

San Jose Hockey Now: Sheng Peng breaks down the latest rumors that Connor Hellebuyck could be traded to the Sharks by the Winnipeg Jets.

TSN: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is week to week with a lower-body injury.

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Tragic news for Penguins forward Andrei Kuzmenko, whose father was killed in a reported bear attack while hunting in Siberia.

TSN: It appears that the Ottawa Senators will start the season without defenseman Artem Zub, who’s still recovering from knee issues dating to last season.

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