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Sami Vatanen | Defenseman

Team: Anaheim Ducks
Age / DOB:  (22) / 6/3/1991
Ht / Wt:  5'10' / 180
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Recent News

Sami Vatanen scored his second goal of the season in the Duck's 3-0 win over Edmonton Monday.
Vatanen has great offensive talent but there are parts of his game that are still in need of work according to coach Bruce Boudreau. "Where he's standing in and thinks he can get the puck like in the American League where he can challenge," Boudreau said. "His biggest thigns (sic) are that and taking his time, trying to suck guys in and make a play. Where in this league, you've got to get it and move it because the play comes at you. There's guys on him because they're not resting. They have to learn a lot of that from experience. Or get plastered. I think he's still in the American League mode in a lot of ways. He's getting better the more I yell at him." Vatanen is worth looking at next season in deeper pools as he is the Ducks power play quarterback of the future. Apr 23 - 5:42 AM

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Date:

Sami Vatanen scored his first NHL goal on Wednesday.

Vatanen found the back of the net during a power play. He has nine goals and 45 points in 62 AHL games. It's worth noting that he logged 18:12 minutes on Wednesday and he might be worth a pickup if he can maintain that level of ice time in the Ducks final five games.
Apr 18 - 8:46 AM

Anaheim Ducks recall Sami Vatanen from AHL Norfolk.

Vatanen was recalled last week due to injury but was sent back down quickly. Vatanen is unlikely to make an impact this year but is definitely worth monitoring in keeper leagues and deeper formats for next season.
Apr 16 - 2:24 PM

The Anaheim Ducks recalled Sami Vatanen from the minors and then promptly sent him back down Monday.

The Ducks recalled the defenseman due to the injury suffered by Sheldon Souray but he was sent back to Norfolk when the Ducks had six healthy blueliners. Vatanen is an offensive stud as the 21-year-old has eight goals and 44 points in 59 AHL games. He is someone to keep your eye on next season in keeper pools.
Apr 9 - 6:02 AM

The Anaheim Ducks have sent Sami Vatanen to the minors.

The defenseman played three games for Anaheim, going scoreless with a plus-one rating. Vatanen became an extra blueliner when the Ducks dealt for Ben Lovejoy. He is highly regarded but on the small side and has lots of offensive skill. He is someone to keep an eye on for the future.
Feb 11 - 12:46 AM

Sami Vatanen is likely to make his NHL debut on Friday.

Vatanen is projected to play on the Ducks' third pairing with Luca Sbisa. He has four goals and 23 points in 34 AHL games this season.
Feb 1 - 4:48 PM

Sami Vatanen has been summoned to join the Anaheim Ducks.

The talented blueliner has racked up 23 points in 34 games with Norfolk of the AHL this year and has proven to be ready to make the jump to the next level.
Jan 27 - 6:50 PM

Sami Vatanen (foot) has been removed from the injured reserve list and sent to the minors.

Vatanen has four goals and 21 points in 32 AHL games this season. The Ducks were impressed with his efforts during the lockout, but it looks like he's going to have to get more playing time under his belt in the minors before he makes his NHL debut.
Jan 25 - 12:15 PM

Sami Vatanen remains on the IR, but he's reportedly getting closer to action.

The OC Register reports that he's been skating hard for the last few days. The defenseman got banged up during a Jan. 6 game in the AHL. It's not clear if he'll be a fixture with the big club when he gets back, anyway, though.
Jan 20 - 7:02 PM

Sami Vatanen (foot) isn't likely to be available for the Ducks' season opener.

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau thinks Vatanen might be able to return next week. At the same time, it's worth noting that he's not a lock to stick with Anaheim.
Jan 18 - 9:02 AM

Defenseman Sami Vatanen is not on the ice with the Anaheim Ducks during training camp as he suffered a foot injury while playing for Norfolk recently.

Vatanen is highly regarded by the Ducks and was fourth on Norfolk in points with 24 before the injury. The defenseman is close to returning and could be ready to skate at some point this week. Although small by NHL standards at 5'11", 165 pounds, Vatanen has a good enough offensive game to make the jump to the Ducks when healthy. He is someone to keep an eye on in the future but we cannot recommend taking him this season.
Jan 15 - 5:50 AM

Bruce Boudreau praised defenseman Sami Vatanen for his play in Norfolk during the NHL lockout.

The Ducks coach stopped short of predicting he that Vatanen would break camp with Anaheim this week, but the Finnish's rearguard's play in the AHL has certainly been noticed,
Jan 13 - 8:00 AM

Sami Vatanen registered three assists in the Norfolk Admirals' 4-3 overtime loss against the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday.

Vatanen has four goals and 17 assists in 31 AHL games this season. He snapped a three-game pointless slump.
Jan 5 - 10:53 PM

Sami Vatenen had a goal for Norfolk in its 5-2 loss Wednesday night to Charlotte.

On the stat sheet, the Ducks' young defenseman has the looks of an NHL blueliner. What will hold him back, though, especially on the backline, is his size: he's just 5-foot-10, 165 pounds. He has 12 points on the year.
Wed, Nov 21, 2012 10:14:00 PM

Sami Vatanen has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

Vatanen had 11 goals and 20 assists in 52 Finnish Elite League games in 2010-11. Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register is reporting that Vatanen is expected to stay in Finland for the duration of the 2011-12 season. He was selected in the fourth round of the 2009 entry draft.
Tue, May 31, 2011 06:58:00 PM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Ryan Getzlaf
2Saku Koivu
3Andrew Cogliano
4Nick Bonino
5Peter Holland
6Dave Steckel
7Antoine Laganiere
LW1Corey Perry
2Matt Beleskey
3Daniel Winnik
4Matthew Lombardi
5Patrick Maroon
6Harry Zolnierczyk
7Max Friberg
RW1Bobby Ryan
2Teemu Selanne
3Kyle Palmieri
4Emerson Etem
5Radek Dvorak
6Brad Staubitz
7Devante Smith-Pelly
D1Cam Fowler
2Francois Beauchemin
3Sheldon Souray
4Toni Lydman
5Luca Sbisa
6Bryan Allen
7Ben Lovejoy
8Nate Guenin
9Jordan Hendry
10Hampus Lindholm
11Sami Vatanen
G1Jonas Hiller
2Viktor Fasth
3Frederik Andersen
4Igor Bobkov
5John Gibson