The Los Angeles Kings have signed defenseman Otto Salin to a three-year, entry-level deal that runs through the 2027-28 season. Salin will report to the Ontario Reign, the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Kings.
Salin was drafted by the Kings with the 148th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Since then, he has developed nicely and has progressed throughout the Finish hockey leagues he has been a part of. The Helinski, Finland native had career-highs across the board this season,scoring eight goals and 20 assists for 28 points for TPS Turku of SM-Liiga.
The Finland native has turned his game into a solid two-way game. Although he is not a big defenseman, the 5-foot-11 and 205-pound Salin is capable of taking care of his end and supplying offense when the situation calls for it. The right-handed defenseman is the latest defenseman to come into the Kings organization and make a statement. He has a bit of a wait for a opening on the right side, as Drew Doughty, Jordan Spence, and Brandt Clarke are ahead of him.
He will report to the Reign and finish the season there. While with Ontario, he will adjust to the pro game, including a noticeable difference in the rink size. Although not big, he has great hockey instincts that will make him successful. His game should transfer well after a few games, but the adjustment to the speed and physical play may take more than a few games. The object of his playing in Ontario is not for him to light it up but to develop his game and get adjusted to the game in the United States.
His positional awareness is also something to take note of. He is cool and calm under pressure and makes a few mistakes. He will likely be put on a regular shift and penalty kill duty to start and head coach Marco Sturm will assess his responsibilities after a few games to see where he is.
He will not light up the scoreboard nor will he win a Norris Trophy. He is in that old of Spence and former King Matt Roy. A solid player who will fit right in when he arrives in Los Angeles in the future on the blueline. There is no timetable for him to make his NHL debut and they will not rush him. He has to learn the game from a different perspective and get used to the different style of play. He will be a good one but we cannot assume that he will be the best defenseman in Ontario upon his arrival. This is a good sign for the Kings and Salin as they have another good, young defenseman locked up for the future.
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