Kyle Garcia 
With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the LA Kings roster. Up next: Otto Salin!
Otto Salin
Birthdate: March 7, 2004
Birthplace: Helsinki, Finland
Height: 6’0
Weight: 195 lbs
Position: Defenseman
Shoots: Right
Draft: 5th round, 148th overall, 2022 NHL Draft
*NOTE: Since August 23rd, my Mom has picked the order of the training camp player previews for the Reign players because I couldn’t figure out what order to do them in. So, I asked for her assistance. Today, she chose Otto Salin!
2025-26 season
It was a trying season for Otto Salin. He wasn’t an everyday player and was adjusting to the professional game in North America. In Finland, Salin played as a third-pairing defenseman, and the wider ice sheet gave him more time and opportunities to make plays. On the Reign, it was the opposite. It was an adjustment to the size, pace, and smaller ice sheet.
The season led to a lot of growing pains and adjustments to the style of play in North America. When Salin was in the lineup, he primarily played on the third pair and was used in only 5v5 or other even-strength scenarios. He wasn’t shy about activating in the offensive zone or jumping into the rush. The puck-moving defenseman recorded three goals, two assists, and 22 penalty minutes in 43 games. He was a healthy scratch in the playoffs.
First pro goal for Otto Salin‼️🤩🤩#ReignTrain | #TUCvsONT pic.twitter.com/VD2dHWtgzI
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) October 12, 2025
GO OTTO GOOO!!!!🤩🙌 pic.twitter.com/yOaQc8Awzq
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) January 10, 2026
Say it ain’t so…IT’S OTTO#ReignTrain I #ABBvsONT pic.twitter.com/DWMCkz3kzL
— Ontario Reign (@ontarioreign) February 19, 2026
2026-27 outlook
The Reign aren’t expected to have much depth on the right side of the defense compared to the left, which should mean that Salin could see some time to play more. His fellow countryman Aatu Jamsen went through a similar path when he first arrived in North America. Jamsen struggled to adapt and wasn’t an everyday player in year one, then saw more playing time in year two with improvements on both ends of the ice.
I’m not saying the same thing will happen to Salin, but a full season of playing and adjusting to hockey in North America could help in year two. He’ll have to play more first; however, I still expect him to have a similar role in the upcoming campaign. Salin is a good skater and can move the puck up the ice, but his size and defensive play make it an uphill battle for him to make the NHL.
Featured image credit: Megan Sanders/Ontario Reign