Kraken center primed for bounce-back season after signing seven-year extension

The Seattle Kraken have addressed their biggest question of the offseason by re-signing third-year center Matthew Beniers to a seven-year, $50 million contract, averaging $7 million annually.

Beniers was Seattle's first-ever NHL Draft pick when he was chosen No. 2 in the 2021 NHL Draft. He had a stellar rookie season in 2022. He led all first-year players in points (57) and plus-minus (plus-14), tied for the NHL lead in goals (24) and ranked second in assists (33).

After winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie, Beniers cooled off in 2023. In 77 games, he recorded 37 points with only 15 goals with a negative plus-minus (minus-11).

As Seattle's top-line center, Beniers is crucial to the team's offensive success. His performance impacts the effectiveness of the first line, which includes the sharpshooting Jared McCann and versatile Jordan Eberle.

When Beniers is at the top of his game, the Kraken first-line offense is one of the best in the NHL His presence in front of the net creates chaos for opposing goaltenders. This causes defensemen to focus and follow him leaving players like McCann with an opening and plenty of space to shoot. This aspect was missing from his game in 2023 and Seattle had to settle for low-percentage shots.

A strong bounce-back season for Beniers is essential with 50 points as a comparative benchmark set by his rookie season. If he cannot return to rookie form, this big extension will start to sour quickly.

After finalizing the deal, Kraken general manager Ron Francis spoke to the media. He highlighted Beniers' importance to the team, noting his on-ice contributions and commitment to the local community. Francis expressed excitement about Beniers' future with the franchise, emphasizing that the new contract aligns with the team's long-term vision.

Perhaps Beniers is the reason why the Kraken did not look to sign a star forward in free agency. The team needed reinforcements in the scoring department. As he looks to harness the momentum of his new extension, the Kraken are hopeful Beniers will have a bounce-back season that will propel both his career and the team to new heights.