This time of the year, NHL teams are working to sign draft picks to their entry level contracts and the LA Kings were able to do just that on Monday when it was announced Otto Salin signed a three-year deal that runs through the 2027-28 season.
Salin is a defenseman who was selected in the fifth round pick by the LA Kings, one round after Angus Booth who has been playing with the Ontario Reign. Since being drafted he has been playing in the Liiga in Finland, which is the top professional hockey league.
These are three things to know about the recent Kings' signing and what to expect moving forward.
Otto Salin is coming off a career season in Liiga
Since the 2021-22 season, he has played in 133 career games between HIFK Helsinki and TPS Turku but this season has been the one with the most games. This past season he appeared in 56 games and would go on to have career highs in goals (8) and assists (20). He would also play in five playoff games and had two goals and two assists.
Salin play style similar to Brandt Clarke and Jordan Spence
While Salin is a defenseman, he brings some offense with his skill set in a similar way that Brandt Clarke or Jordan Spence does. After the contract was announced Zach Dooley with LA Kings Insider provided this analysis of Salin:
"Salin will have to rely on his skating ability, which is excellent, while continuing to round out the other areas of his game as he develops. The book from development camps that Salin has attended is a player who is well ahead of the curve offensively, but with a lot of work to do at the defensive end."
As Dooley notes, the improvements Salin can make on defense is really going to determine the trajectory of his career.
Kings may not waste any time and get him on the Ontario Reign
Salin will be 22 years old this upcoming season so he is still young and very early in his career. There is really no reason to rush him up to the NHL and he will play with the Ontario Reign next season. However, by signing now they can get a jumpstart on his development and have him finish this season with the Reign.
The Kings are pretty much set on defense for next season as everyone is under contract except Vladislav Gavrikov. However, all indications are that the Kings are working on a new deal to bring him back.