Seattle Kraken sign Kim Saarinen to three-year, entry-level contract

A talented young netminding prospect has inked his first NHL contract.

On Sunday, the Seattle Kraken signed goaltender Kim Saarinen to a three-year, entry-level contract. The deal will carry an AAV of $975,000.

Saarinen was taken by the Kraken in the third round, 88th overall, of the 2024 NHL Draft. The Finnish netminder was the eighth player from his position selected in Las Vegas, and the second Seattle draft pick from this year to have signed his ELC. First-round pick Berkley Catton signed his first contract over a week ago.

Saarinen brings a lot of upside to his game, thanks to his 6-foot-4 frame and athletic reactions that give him the ability to take up almost all of the net, even if he stumbles out of position. Daily Faceoff draft expert Steven Ellis had Saarinen as the No. 8 goaltending prospect heading into the draft. One of Ellis’ and many scouts’ criticisms of the Hämeenlinna native is how prone he is to allowing soft goals. That said, at just 17 years of age, Saarinen has plenty of time to work on the little things to make him a viable member of the Kraken’s system.

Saarinen jumped onto the team’s radar after climbing through the ranks with HPK in Finland. He has played the last two seasons with the organization’s Under-20 team, making his Liiga debut with the big club in 2023-24. In two appearances, Saarinen went 1-0-1 with a 2.46 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage.

In 23 games with the U-20 team, he went 14-5-0 with a 2.41 GAA, a .917 SV% and two shutouts. He was named to the SM-sarja First All-Star Team, and earned the Jorma Valtonen Award as the league’s top goaltender.

Saarinen has played for Suomi on the international stage. Along with playing for the Under-16 program, he was on the team that won bronze at the 2022 Under-17 World Hockey Challenge. He also played for the Finns at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2024 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship.