Sami Vatanen’s risk-taking pays off with increased role for Ducks
Sami Vatanen wears a nearly constant little smirk, one his teammates know is behind his subdued but killer sense of humor.
Vatanen takes that same look to the ice, an asset that keeps the opposition unsure of what the Ducks’ defenseman will do at any given moment, such as blasting one of his piercing missiles from the blue line, intercepting a pass toward the goal, or delivering a precision, well-schooled pass that sets up a goal...
“I’ve never been scared about mistakes,” Vatanen said. “Everyone makes them. You use them to learn.”
That bold, risk-taking style has elevated his role, as the 5-10, 23-year-old teams with $13-million free-agent acquisition Clayton Stoner to form the Ducks’ third defensive pair.
Vatanen contributed three assists and played more than 18 minutes in each game of the 3-1 Eastern Conference trip to open the season.
“He’s carrying the puck up with some confidence and he’s a guy who’ll continually get better,” Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said. “Started slow the last two years, but he’s starting out OK and that means he’ll be even better in a month.”
A large part of Vatanen’s increased assertiveness stems from the security of the two-year, $2.525-million contract he signed in the off-season, assuring he would no longer be on that carousel with the Ducks’ minor-league affiliate in Norfolk, Va. Vatanen made it to the majors for just 48 games last season.
“That helps, knowing the coaches trust me, it brings much more confidence knowing I won’t be flying six hours, then six hours back,” he said.
Offensive-minded Vatanen provided six goals and 15 assists last season. Back home in Finland, he spent the month before training camp practicing and playing with professionals to sharpen his game.
“In the defensive zone, I’m trying to get better at everything,” Vatanen said. “Work hard, be better at winning the one-on-one battles. Yes, I like to shoot but I like passing more.”
Boudreau doesn’t mind poke-checking the feisty bear, either, noting, “He’s still minus [in goal differential on the ice], I wouldn’t say he’s all that right now.”
Still, Vatanen blocked nine shots in Tuesday’s victory over Philadelphia.
“I watched him last year and couldn’t believe he was up and down [to Norfolk] with those numbers,” said Stoner, formerly of the Minnesota Wild. “I guess he needed that growth period. He has a tremendous amount of skill, loves the offensive game and you can tell they’ve developed his defense.”
But should a young defenseman be so offensive-centric? Well, he has earned a role on the Ducks’ top power-play unit.
“Everyone’s different, but he’s found his niche,” Stoner said. “I don’t think he’s too worried about that. The more confidence he gains, the more risks he’ll be able to take.
“He’s a little stronger, a little older, is learning the game and the tendencies of opponents. He’s really good [at not dwelling on mistakes], and that can be a downfall for a young player.
“He doesn’t let things bother him. I’m kind of envious of how he brushes it off. He’s offensive and I’m defensive, so I think it’ll work out well.
“I can hang back, and let him go.”
Twitter: @latimespugmire
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