The Seattle Kraken have addressed their greatest query of the offseason by re-signing third-year heart Matthew Beniers to a seven-year, $50 million contract, averaging $7 million yearly.
Beniers was Seattle’s first-ever NHL Draft choose when he was chosen No. 2 within the 2021 NHL Draft. He had a stellar rookie season in 2022. He led all first-year players in factors (57) and plus-minus (plus-14), tied for the NHL lead in targets (24) and ranked second in assists (33).
After profitable the Calder Trophy because the NHL’s greatest rookie, Beniers cooled off in 2023. In 77 video games, he recorded 37 factors with solely 15 targets with a unfavourable plus-minus (minus-11).
As Seattle’s top-line heart, Beniers is essential to the staff’s offensive success. His efficiency impacts the effectiveness of the primary line, which incorporates the sharpshooting Jared McCann and versatile Jordan Eberle.
When Beniers is on the high of his sport, the Kraken first-line offense is likely one of the greatest within the NHL His presence in entrance of the online creates chaos for opposing goaltenders. This causes defensemen to focus and comply with him leaving gamers like McCann with a gap and loads of area to shoot. This facet was lacking from his sport in 2023 and Seattle needed to accept low-percentage pictures.
A robust bounce-back season for Beniers is important with 50 factors as a comparative benchmark set by his rookie season. If he can’t return to rookie kind, this huge extension will begin to bitter rapidly.
After finalizing the deal, Kraken basic supervisor Ron Francis spoke to the media. He highlighted Beniers’ significance to the staff, noting his on-ice contributions and dedication to the local people. Francis expressed pleasure about Beniers’ future with the franchise, emphasizing that the brand new contract aligns with the staff’s long-term imaginative and prescient.
Maybe Beniers is the rationale why the Kraken didn’t look to signal a star ahead in free company. The staff wanted reinforcements within the scoring division. As he seems to harness the momentum of his new extension, the Kraken are hopeful Beniers can have a bounce-back season that can propel each his profession and the staff to new heights.
