Seattle Kraken
· 2026-07-11
Seattle Kraken announced on July 10, 2026 that they have inked goaltender Victor Östman and defenseman Ville Ottavainen to one‑year, two‑way deals worth $850,000 AAV each for the 2026‑27 campaign. The moves give Seattle fresh legs in net and on the blue line as the club sits 13th in the Western Conference with a 34‑37 record and is riding a three‑game losing streak.
Victor Östman, a 25‑year‑old Swede, logged his first full professional season with the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, posting a 17‑15‑3 record, a 2.81 GAA and a .906 save percentage across 36 games. He recorded two assists, the most by any rookie netminder, and tied for fifth among all AHL goalies in that category. Östman's NHL debut came on April 16, 2026, when he started for Seattle and stopped 35 shots.
Ville Ottavainen, a 23‑year‑old Finnish blueliner, also spent the season with the Firebirds, appearing in 53 games and tallying 17 points (3 goals, 14 assists). He racked up 71 penalty minutes, ranking fourth on the roster, while finishing second in assists among Coachella Valley defensemen. In the Calder Cup playoffs he added a goal and three assists, bringing his AHL career to 66 points in 193 regular‑season games.
Both players bring recent AHL success and a familiarity with the Kraken’s system, having spent the past two seasons in Seattle’s affiliate. Östman’s size (6‑foot‑4) and puck‑handling skills give Jason Botterill a reliable backup who can step in without a steep learning curve. Ottavainen’s offensive upside from the point adds depth to a defensive corps that struggled to generate scoring chances last year.
The contracts are two‑way, meaning the players can be shuttled between Seattle and Coachella Valley without cap penalties, preserving flexibility as the Kraken chase a playoff spot. With the team currently 13th in the West and on a three‑game skid, the added competition in practice could spark improvements on the power play and penalty kill.
Botterill’s roster now includes veteran netminder Philipp Grubauer, backup Alex Stalock, and the newly signed Östman. On defense, the Kraken retain top‑pairing players like Erik Karlsson while adding Ottavainen as a potential third‑pairing option or a healthy‑scratch forward in emergencies. The blend of experience and youthful energy aims to tighten the blue line, especially after a season that saw the Kraken concede 3.02 goals per game.
Seattle’s next test arrives on September 20, 2026, when the Kraken face the Vancouver Canucks in a preseason showdown. That game will be the first real look at how Östman handles NHL pressure and whether Ottavainen can translate his AHL playmaking to the big league. A solid performance could earn them a spot on the opening‑night roster, while a stumble might relegate them to the AHL for further development.
The Kraken’s front office hopes the signings provide immediate depth and long‑term value. As the season looms, Seattle’s coaching staff will evaluate every shift, and fans will be watching to see if these new faces can help turn the tide for a club eager to climb out of the Western Conference’s lower tier.