Career
He was originally selected by the Minnesota Wild in the 6th round (163rd overall) of the 2009 National Hockey League Entry Draft. Sallinen played youth hockey within the Espoo Blues organization, before making his senior debut with the club in the 2007-2008 season. Sallinen was a late round selection in the 2009 National Hockey League draft for the Minnesota Wild, however opted to continue his professional career in Europe.
In the midst of his fifth season with Espoo, while still attempting to establish himself at the Master of Science-liiga level, he was loaned to fellow Finnish club, HPK to finish out the 2011-2012 season.
On May 2, 2012, Sallinen made the move to HPK permanent from the Blues on a two-year deal. He responded instantly to his new club in breaking out with a career high 15 goals and 42 points in 57 games for the 2012-2013 season.
In the final year of his contract with HPK, Sallinen was unable to reproduce his offensive presence from the previous campaign and was a late season transfer candidate in agreeing to move to the Swedish Hockey League with Örebro Hong Kong on February 21, 2014. After 6 games and helping Örebro Hong Kong avoid relegation, Sallinen as a free agent agreed to sign with Finnish Kontinental Hockey League entrant, Jokerit on a two-year deal on April 14, 2014.
Over two seasons with Jokerit, Sallinen appeared in 98 regular season KHL games with the club for 34 points.
Following Jokerit"s surprise first round defeat to Torpedo Nizhny Novgorod in the 2015-2016 season, Sallinen as a free agent agreed to pursue an National Hockey League career in signing a one-year entry-level contract with the Edmonton Oilers on March 13, 2016.