Ranking: #3
Stats: 54GP, 5G, 9A, 14 PTS
Acquired: 2017 Draft - 1st Round, 18th Overall
Checking in as the top defense prospect on the list, Urho Vaakanainen is a guy whose stock has steadily risen since he was taken in the first round back in 2017.
The 21-year-old Finnish blue liner completed his second North American tour this past season, skating in 54 games for Providence and 5 games for the big club.
It’s been a fast ascent for Vaakanainen, who started grabbing eyeballs when he won the World Junior Championship with Finland in 2018 and really got noticed when he skated at his first training camp with the Bruins.