Saarinen skated with HPK while still on loan in the Liiga. Playing 38 of the team’s 60 games, Saarinen got the chance to be the go-to guy for his hometown team rather than being part of a tandem in Coachella Valley.

Saarinen’s first full professional season was a solid success. Dressing for 30 Liiga games, he finished with a 10-11-5 record, which certainly belies his excellent rate states. His 2.49 GAA and .911 save percentage placed him 12th and 3rd among goalies with at least 20 appearances. He didn’t get much run support from his teammates, as HPK’s 154 goals for put them in second last in the Liiga. Saarinen will return to HPK in the upcoming season and if he continues to put up strong play on a relatively weaker team, he could be on his way to Coachella Valley in the next few seasons. If your league’s farm teams are deep, and goalies are valuable, Saarinen is a long way out but makes a good speculative stash at this stage if you have room.

Saarinen had himself a fabulous 2023-2024 season, sporting a 0.77 GAA and .952 save percentage in the WJC, a sparkling 1.67 and .945 in the U18 Finnish league (only nine games played), and sitting tenth in the U20 Finnish league with a 2.41 GAA and second with a .917 SV%. Saarinen will likely see a split between the Liiga and U20 league, and his progression will be worth watching as there is plenty of opportunity for Seattle’s mostly Finnish goalie prospect pipeline to show separation from the pack.

Saarinen was selected 88th overall by the Seattle Kraken.

Saarinen fits the bill for the typical early-mid round goalie bet. 6-4, technically sound, and moderately athletic are all characteristics that are coveted in goaltending prospects. With his frame, control of his edges, and patience, Saarinen can be difficult to beat on high-danger chances in close to the net. He can, however, suffer from occasional poor tracking and form breakdown with post-integration. (Final Rankings: 109)

While being on loan in Finland, and facing a growing number of goaltenders in the Kraken pipeline could certainly cool the hype on his eventual move to North America, let alone his NHL prospects, he improved on his already solid numbers from a year ago. HPK was the ‘worst team to make the playoffs’ and scored fewer goals than last year, but Saarinen did his part by lowering his GAA to 2.11 and raised his save percentage to .916. His 12-14-12 record isn’t indicative of his play. Poolies should turn their eyes to his second place GAA, top save percentage and fifth most shutouts in the Liiga, and value him accordingly based on how goalies impact your league.

Nothing about Saarinen says he’s soon to be in the AHL, and it remains to be seen how he will perform there if and when he comes. But if goalies are scarce in your leagues and you can afford to add another sold performing dice roll to your squad, Saarinen appears to be a worthwhile long shot. He is currently owned in a quarter of Fantrax leagues. Check your wire.

Febuary 2025 – Saarinen currently sits in the top ten in goals against average, and leads the Liiga in save percentage with a .917 mark, despite only posting an 8-6-4 record. He is only 18, and is likely a long way out from seeing NHL starts, but he is beginning his pro career on a strong note.