Can Matty Beniers Elevate His Game and Lead the Kraken?
As Matty Beniers embarks on his third season with the Seattle Kraken, the pressure is mounting. Fresh off a seven-year, $50 million contract extension, he carries the heavy burden of franchise expectations and the opportunity to shape Seattle’s hockey future.
This is a critical juncture in Beniers’ development. Following a standout rookie season, he faced challenges during a sophomore slump. Now, with significant financial commitment from the Kraken and high hopes from fans, the big question looms: will he step up and solidify his status as the cornerstone of the franchise?
Beniers burst onto the scene with a Calder Trophy-winning debut, but last season offered a mixed bag, showcasing glimpses of his elite two-way potential while falling short of production expectations. While some may attribute his struggles to growing pains, star centers in the NHL must excel in both offensive playmaking and defensive responsibilities. Beniers has always demonstrated solid defensive skills, and his rookie year proved he can generate offense as well. With a new head coach, Dan Bylsma, who is known for nurturing young talent within a team-oriented framework, Beniers now has a chance to elevate his game even further.
Recent success highlights his potential as the Kraken's future cornerstone.
Recent performances have shown that Beniers is starting to hit his stride again, with two goals and two assists in his last few outings. While his progress might not be instantaneous, maintaining this momentum could position him alongside elite two-way centers like Aleksander Barkov and Anze Kopitar, who are known for their offensive prowess as well as their defensive reliability.
THE KID COMES IN CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/XLH4zLEOZf
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) October 25, 2024
With the potential to become a long-term fixture in Seattle, Beniers is on the brink of evolving into the elite two-way forward the Kraken need. If he can master the next phase of his game, he won’t just be recognized as Seattle’s first-ever draft pick—he could very well become the franchise player they've been searching for.
As the Kraken prepare for a challenging five-game road trip starting tonight in Montreal, all eyes will be on Matty Beniers to maintain his offensive surge. If he can keep this momentum going, it could be the spark Seattle needs to ignite a strong performance on the road and set the tone for the season ahead.
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