A landmark day in Kraken history?
While Seattle sports fans spent a lazy spring afternoon realizing that the Mariners won’t go 162-0 this season, the Seattle Kraken suddenly captured the local headlines.
Social media exploded with the news that the Kraken’s first-ever amateur draft pick Matty Beniers has signed a three-year deal with the club now that the Frozen Four has been completed.
Drafted second overall by the Kraken last summer, Beniers’ University of Michigan career ended Thursday night at Boston’s Fleet Center when the favored Wolverines were upset by eventual champion University of Denver, 3-2, in a shootout. Under National Hockey League rules, college players can immediately join the NHL. Seattle heads into this week with ten regular-season games remaining.
After negotiations with Kraken general manager Ron Francis, Beniers announced the signing himself, posting a mural of Beniers standing on ice in Michigan garb, gazing ahead at his new home including the Space Needle and the downtown Merry-Go-Round.
“We’re excited to welcome Matty to our organization,” said Francis, via press release. “He capped off a productive career at Michigan with a trip to the Frozen Four and has impressed our staff over the past couple of years with his leadership and strong two-way game. We’re looking forward to working with him as he takes the next step in his development.”
“It’s truly an honor to join the Kraken organization, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Beniers, who reportedly signed a three-year $2,692,500 contract, a $897,500 hit to the Seattle salary cap.
The Kraken draft choice will probably make an appearance at the Kraken Community Iceplex practice today then quickly hit the road for back-to-back games in Calgary and Winnipeg on Tuesday and Wednesday. Benier’s Michigan teammate and last year’s number-one entry draft pick Owen Power is expected to make his NHL debut with the Buffalo Sabres sometime this week.
Michigan was loaded with talent this season, boasting six players selected in the first round of the NHL amateur draft the last two seasons. As a body, the players all decided to return to Ann Arbor his season with a specific goal of capturing the NCAA championship.
“Although we fell short of our goal, I loved my time with Michigan and am looking forward to the next step in my journey,” Beniers said. “Being drafted last summer was surreal, and I’m excited to get to Seattle.”
A native of Higham, Mass. Beniers planned to begin his college career at Harvard in 2021. But when the Ivy League opted not to play sports in the COVID landscape, Beniers joined the highly regarded Michigan program.
It’s been a busy year for the 6-1, 174 forward. Last May, prior to being drafted by the Kraken, Beniers was the youngest player on the gold winning 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship Team USA, then played with pros at the IIHF World Championship, where the Americans took home a bronze medal. Then Beniers participated in the Winter Olympics in Beijing in February
Beniers still found time to lead the Big Ten in scoring in scoring with 20 goals and 23 assists in 36 games in the just concluded season. An acknowledged leader of the team he served as an alternate captain in only his sophomore campaign, As a freshman he compiled 24 points in 24 games.
By the way, Beniers is still only 19-years-old. In fact, he’s two years younger (born Nov. 5, 2002) than the Mariners’ superstar in waiting Julio Rodriguez (Dec. 29, 2000).
Benier’s signing could end the `expansion team’ label of the Kraken and mark the beginning of the team as a `full-fledged’ NHL squad. Seattle could conceivably garner the first-round pick in next summer’s entry draft (probably Ottawa junior Tyler Wright) as one of the league’s bottom-six teams. Another second or third pick (who should be a future NHLer) seems more likely. And thanks to a plethora of NHL deadline deals the Kraken own 34 draft picks over the next three years, including eight second-rounders and oodles of salary cap space. So there’s reason for optimism in Kraken nation.
It’s too early to know Benier’s exact role with the Kraken. His best position is center and he’s known as a two-way forward. But with his offensive prowess it would be surprising if Beniers doesn’t see ice time with the Kraken’s top scorers Jared McCann and Justin Eberle. He should also see time on the power play.
It could be the start of a fun ride in Seattle and not just on the waterfront Ferris wheel.
