Here’s a six-pack of hockey experts weighing in on Matty Beniers’ contract extension with the Seattle Kraken. The deal agreed to by the 21-year-old center and GM Ron Francis is for seven years and $50 million.
Mike Johnson, NHL Network: “Matty Beniers is a cornerstone of the franchise. He’s an incredibly talented two-way centerman. Is he going to be a 90-point player? Is he going to be a 65-70 point player? That’s what remains to be seen. Even at 70 points, with his two-way game, that’s not terrible value at $7 million (AAV), seeing where the cap is going (up).
“Seattle is locking in upside potential. Seattle is a team that has to be better to start the season this year; he’s got to be more productive, which means he’s got to be in a good frame of mind, knowing that the organization has his back. All that factors into Matty Beniers getting this nice deal.”
Bob Condor, NHL.com: “Last season, Beniers’ superior play in all zones of the 200-foot NHL ice surface from end to end proved an extraordinary maturity rate for a 21-year-old, including improved work in the faceoff circle. That unsung work drew suggestions from more than a few rival scouts that the Kraken center is likely to garner Selke Trophy votes as the league’s best defensive forward many seasons ahead.
“Beniers’ sophomore season production totaled 15 goals and 22 assists, with a closer look showing production in the second half of the year was closer to his rookie-season pace.”
Sportsnet.ca: “Beniers enters the 2024-25 season as Seattle’s highest-paid forward, the new pact solidifying him as a key member of the Kraken’s future. Should he continue to develop as a premier centre as hoped, building off the promise he showed in his rookie campaign, the deal should be an easy one for the Kraken to stomach moving forward, especially as the cap continues to rise. Here’s a look at a few comparable deals handed out to young forwards coming off their entry-level contracts.”
- Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild: Seven years, $49 million
- Dylan Cozens, Buffalo Sabres: Seven years, $49.7 million
- Clayton Keller, Utah Hockey Club: Eight years, $57.2 million
- Nico Hischier, New Jersey Devils: Seven years, $50.75 million
Kristen Shilton, ESPN: “The potential for Beniers to be a bona fide two-way player moving forward – not to mention his playmaking ability off the rush – is more than enough incentive for Seattle to reward him with a long-term deal now, while also taking advantage of the NHL’s increasing salary cap (which goes up by $4.5 million to $88 million for the coming season).”
Shayna Goldman, The Athletic: “With a new-look coaching staff brought in to help bolster the Kraken’s offense that wilted last year, Beniers should bounce back on the scoresheet while continuing to build on his defensive game.
“This clicks with league trends, with general managers investing in big second contracts. Those deals come with risk because up-and-coming players generally don’t have long track records to rely on. However, they tend to be worth the risk because these contracts bet on the prime of a player’s career and for future production versus past accomplishments.”
Adam Proteau, THN: “To come anywhere close to justifying the raise, Beniers must at least get back to his rookie year totals of 24 goals and 57 points in 80 games. But rather than taking a bridge contract in hopes of getting an eight-figure cap hit two or three years later, Beniers has opted for a long-term package that exponentially raises expectations of him right away. Looking at things optimistically, that’s the kind of self-belief you want to see in an evolving athlete.”