The Scouting Report
Defenseman Veeti Vaisanen is a 6-foot-0 and 177-pound native of Hamina, Finland. A prospect that can round out any defense pairings, he plays a simple game from end to end. Vaisanen does not provide a lot of offense and is a sound skater but focuses more on the defensive end and shutting down rushes in the neutral zone. Last season for KooKoo (LiIga), Finland U18, Finland U20, and KooKoo U20, he combined for 68 games, producing four goals and 15 assists for 19 points and 20 penalty minutes.
Draft Projections
Ranked #116 by Elite Prospects.com Ranked #38 by TSN/ Craig Button Ranked #54 by Daily Faceoff Ranked #21 by NHL Central Scouting (EU Skaters) Ranked #48 by Dobber Prospects Ranked #45 by Conrad Jack of Inside the Rink
I’ve highlighted some of Veeti Vaisanen’s attributes. Let’s take a deeper dive into his attributes dn areas for improvement.
Puck Handling
Vaisanen is a defenseman who pushes the play and uses stretch passes to catch the opposition off guard. His awareness of where the defense is set up is top-notch, giving him space to create or join the rush. One thing he is exceptional at is the transition game. While he isn’t gifted offensively, he can headman the puck to rushing forwards who are ready to create in the offensive zone. The puck leaves his stick in a quick, timely manner that gives the opposition little time to set up.
Skating
Another attribute is his phenomenal skating. He can weave around defenses with ease and join the rush without concern as he wishes. He can reach top speed in seconds and uses that to get back in his zone to shut down the opposition. Vaisanen is also able to get out of trouble due to his mobility and get the puck in safe hands.
Areas for Improvement
Basic Defenseman
Vaisanen is a solid top-four defenseman based on his overall skill set. He is not an elite scorer, does not have highlight reel moves, and will not quarterback a power play, but he is a defenseman that every team needs. He will get the puck out of the zone, move opposing forwards out of the crease, and make small, yet efficient, plays. He is a basic defenseman but he has a good shot and defends well.
Puck Movement
While he is efficient in the transition game and getting the puck to teammates, he needs to work on his puck movement. Getting rid of the puck quicker would be the main focus, followed by slowing down the game and waiting for an opportunity. He tends to get the puck out, but he also has more time than he thinks. This could be worked out by the time summer ends, but he is still young.
Prospect Potential
Vaisanen is a good, solid player who will play an important role on any NHL team. He could be a depth defenseman with a touch of offense. He may be in the range of 20-25 points a season and 15:00 of ice time. He is not a bad defenseman but is not a top-tier one either.
Best Potential Fit
His best potential fit would be the Colorado Avalanche at #24 in the upcoming 2024 NHL Draft. He could be a perfect addition based on his skill set and the firepower of the Colorado offense. The Avalanche have a ton of offense on the blueline and at forward, so they need a player who can be a defensive specialist on the back end. The Avalanche requires defense-first players who can play the role well and shut down the opposition while the offense plays their role. Vaisanen is that guy, and they should take him if he is still there.
Final Thought
Vaisanen is an NHL defenseman without the offensive game. He does the little things well and can contribute on occasion. With his lack of big offense, he can still contribute in other ways. He will be a player who can eat minutes and play a big role in the clutch. A good, solid player who will find a spot on a team based on his work ethic.
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