seattle kraken make huge investment in young center
the kraken bank on matty beniers with a seven-year deal
The Seattle Kraken are fully backing center Matty Beniers as a cornerstone of their future. They demonstrated that belief by locking in the second-overall pick from the 2021 NHL Draft with a fresh seven-year contract. The new deal, which keeps Beniers in Seattle through the 2031-2032 season, comes with an annual salary of $7.14 million.
At just 21 years old, Beniers is now set to spend a significant chunk of his prime years with the Kraken. Securing the long-term deal was a top priority for general manager Ron Francis, who made it clear that locking in their rising star before the season was crucial.
With this agreement finalized, Francis can breathe easy, knowing the team's top center is secured for the long haul.
"Matty has been a core part of our team since making his NHL debut, not only on the ice but in his commitment to our community and our fans,"
said Francis.
"Signing Matty to a new contract was a top priority for our offseason, and we are excited to have it done."
While Beniers is clearly a key figure for the Kraken, some might argue the contract feels a bit early. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie in 2023, but his sophomore season saw a drop in production, sliding from 24 goals and 57 points to 15 goals and 37 points.
However, the Kraken's decision isn't just about what Beniers has done so far-it's a bet on his potential and the team's future. At 22, entering his third season, the hefty cap hit may seem daunting now, but both the Kraken and Beniers believe the deal will look like a bargain in a few years.
Now, the pressure is on for Beniers to rise to the challenge. He'll be expected to play major minutes in a top-six role for Seattle. If all goes according to plan, he'll not only erase memories of his sophomore slump but also make the Kraken look like geniuses for investing in his future with this bold contract.
