The smooth-skating blue liner knows that that physicality and intensity will ramp up even more as he transitions across the Atlantic.
"Well, I have to get a bit stronger and just overall better in everything," said Vaakanainen. "Have to work on my shot a lot this summer and just playing on the offensive blue line getting shots to the net through the traffic. That's probably the biggest thing that I have to improve."
Adjusting to some of the intangibles, particularly off the ice, will also be one of his main priorities.
"Of course, it's a smaller rink, and the game is a bit more physical and faster," said Vaakanainen. "I just think that the smaller rink is the biggest thing for me, and, of course, living in North America is different than in Finland, so maybe those two things."
While there is still plenty of work to be done as he adapts to life in North America, the 6-foot, 185-pound left shot knows that if he continues to progress there could be opportunity on the Bruins' back end.
"I'm really excited just to get to the camp and show how good I am and try to be at my best every day and just have fun and enjoy," he said. "These opportunities doesn't happen to every guy, so you just have to try to enjoy it and be at your best when you come to the camp."
Vaakanainen will be at the team's annual Development Camp later this month, the tune up to September's main training camp, at which point he'll truly be able to measure himself against bona fide NHLers.
"Just a dream come true," said Vaakanainen. "I've been dreaming of this since I was a little kid, so it's been an exciting few days here. Can't wait to get there and get things started."