Observations:

December 2013 -As a returning player, Vainonen will be looked upon to anchor the back end for Finland at the upcoming World Junior Championships. Vainonen will be counted on as a leader and a strong defensive presence on a Finnish team that will look to improve on its seventh place showing at last years championships. Donesh Mazloum

June 2013 – Vainonen was signed to an entry level contract on May 24th becoming the third Predators draft pick from the 2012 class to be locked up. In his first season in the CHL, Vainonen finished fourth in defenceman scoring for the Kingston Frontenacs with four goals and 22 points in 55 games. Vainonen, while progressing nicely as an NHL prospect, holds very little fantasy upside. Donesh Mazloum

June, 2012 – Mikko Vainonen is a big defensive defenseman. He is very good in positioning and physical play. He also possesses very heavy shot which he uses too rarely. Does not have a lot of offensive potential but can be used in power play due to his hard slapshot. Vainonen played his first pro games with HIFK in 2011/12 and will probably see more games in SM-liiga in 2012/13. Miika Arponen

Fantasy Outlook: D

Has some small potential to become an NHL regular but does not possess very high upside.

Footage:

Mikko Vainonen scores in a shootout vs Andrei Vasilevski.

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