Seattle Kraken Bring Back Former Fourth-Round Pick on a One-Year Deal

The Seattle Kraken aren’t letting Ville Ottavainen go anywhere just yet. The team announced Friday they’ve signed the 23-year-old defenseman to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2026-27 season. It’s worth $850,000 if he’s playing in the NHL and $125,000 if he’s in the AHL.

Ottavainen was Seattle’s fourth-round pick, 99th overall, back in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s spent the last three years developing in the American Hockey League with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Last season he played 53 regular-season games there, putting up three goals and 14 assists for 17 points. He also racked up 71 penalty minutes, which ranked fourth on the team. Among Firebirds defensemen, he finished second in assists and fourth in points.

A Big Frame With Some NHL Experience

He’s 6-foot-5 and shoots right, which is the kind of size teams like to have in reserve. Over his entire AHL career (193 games), the Oulu, Finland native has 14 goals and 52 assists for 66 points. In the Calder Cup Playoffs, he’s got one goal and three assists across 36 games.

Ottavainen did get a taste of the NHL. He made his debut for Seattle during the 2024-25 season and picked up an assist in his only regular-season appearance. That came against the Los Angeles Kings, where he helped set up a Jaden Schwartz goal. He hasn’t played another NHL game since.

His best AHL season was his first one. He posted 34 points and a plus-27 rating in 70 games, plus three playoff assists in 18 contests. Since then, it’s been a bit quieter. Over his last 121 AHL games, he’s managed just six goals and 32 points.

What’s Next for Ottavainen?

He’s probably starting next season back in Coachella Valley. But the Kraken know they’ve got a depth option if injuries hit the blue line. A one-year deal like this is basically an insurance policy with some upside. If he gets called up and sticks, that $850,000 cap hit is a bargain for a right-shot defenseman with his reach.

For now, it’s about consistency. The Kraken like what they saw early on. They’re betting he can find that form again.