Seattle Kraken sign Ville Ottavainen to three-year, entry-level contract

The Seattle Kraken announced they have signed six-foot-five defenseman Ville Ottavainen to a three-year, entry-level contract. According to CapFriendly, the contract carries an $876,000 cap hit, along with $57,500 in performance bonuses. He will have a minor league salary of $80,000 in the first season; and $75,000 for the remaining two seasons.

Ottavainen was selected fourth round (No. 199) in the 2021 NHL Draft by the Kraken. He has spent much of his career back home in Finland but in the 2019-20 season, he came over to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) to play for the Kitchener Rangers who selected him 35th overall in the 2019 CHL Import Draft. He tallied 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in 53 games. He took his talents back to Finland for the 2020-21 season, and while playing with JYP U20 in the U20 SM-sarja he notched 15 points in 15 games. He also got a call-up to play in the Finnish Men’s League (LIIGA) and scored three points in 22 games. Last season, he registered 14 points in 44 games with JYP. He was named to Team Finland at the 2021-22 World Junior Championship playing one game and logging two penalty minutes before the tournament was cancelled.

This past season, Ottavainen has continued his development with JYP establishing himself as a regular in the lineup. He scored five goals and 11 assists for 16 points and 30 penalty minutes in 54 games. Ottavainen could find himself playing for the Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Coachella Valley Firebirds, who are coached by Dan Bylsma. The Firebirds are one of the hottest teams in the AHL, they sit second in the Pacific Division with a record of 41-11-4-2 and 88 points.