Kraken defenceman Ville Ottavainen fined maximum amount for preseason incident

Seattle Kraken defenceman Ville Ottavainen has been fined $2,190.72 by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for serving as the aggressor in a preseason altercation during Thursday’s game in Calgary against the Flames. The amount represents the maximum financial penalty permitted under the collective bargaining agreement for this type of infraction.

The incident occurred in a contest the Kraken won 4–3 in a shootout. After being checked in the corner by Flames forward Brennan Othmann, Ottavainen responded by wrapping Othmann around the head, throwing him to the ice and delivering several punches while the Calgary forward dropped into a defensive position. Players from both teams quickly converged on the scrum before officials restored order.

Run-in follows earlier high hit by Othmann

Tensions between the two players had already been raised earlier in the preseason. On September 20, in another exhibition meeting between Seattle and Calgary that ended in a 4–2 Kraken win, Othmann caught Ottavainen with a high hit along the boards, appearing to leave his feet with his elbow up.

On that earlier play, Othmann was assessed a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. With that history in mind, Ottavainen appeared to seize Thursday’s opportunity for payback when he crossed paths with Othmann again, a decision that has now resulted in a significant fine from the league’s discipline office.

Ottavainen pushing for NHL minutes with Kraken

Ottavainen, 24, spent all of last season with Seattle’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds. The right-shot blueliner produced three goals and 14 assists for 17 points over 53 regular-season games, then added one goal and three assists in 12 AHL playoff contests.

Originally drafted by the Kraken in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Ottavainen has appeared in just one regular-season NHL game to date, during the 2024–25 campaign, recording a single assist. This camp represents a key chance for him to move closer to a full-time role on Seattle’s blue line.

The Kraken conclude their preseason schedule on Saturday with a road game against the Vancouver Canucks. They will then open the regular season on October 1 in Calgary, facing the Flames once again.