Vaakanainen (upper body) will not be in the lineup versus Columbus on Thursday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen didn't make the trip to Columbus, but for now, he should be considered day-to-day. With the blueliner on the shelf, Connor Mackey or Vincent Iorio figures to step into the lineup for the Rangers on Thursday. For his part, the 27-year-old Vaakanainen has yet to score a goal in 33 outings this year while chipping in six assists.

Vaakanainen (upper body) will not return to Wednesday's game versus the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen's injury occurred in the first period, and he logged only 3:05 of ice time in the contest. Vincent Iorio will likely fill in if Vaakanainen can't play Thursday versus the Blue Jackets.

Vaakanainen notched an assist in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Flames.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen has played in the last two games. The 27-year-old defenseman's path to playing time is a little clearer when Scott Morrow is in the AHL, though Vaakanainen will still need to fend off Vincent Iorio for minutes. Through 29 appearances this season, Vaakanainen has five helpers, 21 shots on net, 23 blocked shots and 14 PIM, so he's not much of a consideration in most fantasy formats.

Vaakanainen registered an assist and a plus-2 rating in Monday's 4-3 overtime win over the Bruins.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen may have a clearer path to playing time in the near future after the Rangers dealt Carson Soucy to the Islanders on Monday. Vaakanainen got into the lineup on the third pairing Monday, playing for just the seventh time in 26 games since the start of December. The Finn has four assists, 15 shots on net, 18 blocked shots and 12 PIM over 23 appearances. Barring a call-up of a young blueliner, Vaakanainen will probably play regularly until Adam Fox (lower body) returns.

Vaakanainen was scratched for the 10th time in 13 games in December when he sat out Saturday's 2-0 loss to the Islanders.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen has been unable to claim a larger role in the absence of Adam Fox (upper body). Through 19 outings, Vaakanainen has three helpers, 12 shots on net, 13 blocked shots, six hits, 10 PIM and a minus-1 rating. He may stay on the NHL roster over Scott Morrow once Fox returns, but that's only because Morrow is waivers-exempt. Vaakanainen is likely to remain in a part-time role unless more injuries take a toll on the Rangers' blue line.

Vaakanainen logged an assist in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Lightning.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen has two assists over his last two games. The defenseman missed a couple of contests last week due to a lower-body injury but has since reclaimed a spot on the third pairing over Matthew Robertson. Vaakanainen has three helpers, nine shots on net, eight blocked shots, eight PIM, five hits and a plus-3 rating over 13 appearances, so there's not a lot of upside in his playing style.

Vaakanainen (lower body) is available to be in the lineup versus the Islanders on Saturday, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen has missed two straight games. The 26-year-old's not guaranteed to be in the lineup, but if he returns to action, he'll likely be on the third pairing in place of Matthew Robertson.

Vaakanainen (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus Detroit on Friday, Mollie Walker of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen will miss his second straight game due to his lower-body issue. When healthy, the 26-year-old blueliner has managed just one point in 10 outings, so few fantasy managers figure to be impacted by his continued absence. In the meantime, Matthew Robertson will feature on the third pair with Braden Schneider.

Vaakanainen (lower body) made the trip with the team ahead of Friday's road clash with Detroit, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen might be ready to return following a one-game absence due to his lower-body issue but hasn't been confirmed in the lineup. This year, the 26-year-old blueliner has managed just one point in 10 outings and has never hit the 20-point threshold in his career. As such, fantasy managers can probably pursue other options even when Vaakanainen is healthy.

Vaakanainen (lower body) will not be in the lineup versus the Hurricanes on Tuesday, Colin Stephenson of Newsday reports.

EDGE Analysis

Vaakanainen is still looking for his first goal of the season, managing just one helper in 10 outings. Considering the blueliner has just three tallies in his 197 career regular-season tilts, fantasy managers should probably expect his first goal of the year won't come any time soon. For now, Vaakanainen remains day-to-day and could still be an option versus the Wings on Friday.