Ottavainen is developing into an effective shutdown defenseman for AHL Coachella Valley, taking regular reps on the penalty kill and playing top-four minutes. Ottavainen leads the Firebirds in shots blocked per game, and though his hits lead the team from the back end, he only lays less than one per game.

Ottavainen will be a wait before he has a shot at patrolling the Kraken blue line, and if he makes his way onto the big club, it will be as a defensive specialist. He’s worth watchlisting in deep cap dynasties- he is only 2% owned in Fantrax- but he will take a while, and currently appears to only have value if shutdown defensemen hold value in your league. There are more exciting options out there at this time.

Ottavainen skated 68 games in his sophomore AHL season, scoring three goals and adding 12 assists for 15 points. The stay-at-home defender will never light the lamp with regular consistency, but he will help prevent scoring opportunities in his own end. Ottavainen was called up for one NHL game this year and managed to add an assist. He doesn’t look to have a direct line to the NHL yet, but could get some cups of coffee next season. He will need to provide heavy hits and blocks to make him worth rostering in most leagues.