Kraken Preseason Profile
Matty Beniers
22-year-old, left shot center
6-foot-2, 180 pounds.
Yes PP, Yes PK
Work ethic won’t be an issue. Matty Beniers already leads by example as he enters his 4th NHL season. That’s not counting the ten games he played coming out of the University of Michigan in the spring of 2022.
The 2nd-overall pick in 2021 NHL Draft will continue to bulk up a little and get stronger. Getting pushed around continued to be an issue last season, but his strength on skates is improving. Regardless of size, leverage is part of the game one learns.
Other than nitpicking physical matters that one has limited control over, there’s very little to complain about with Beniers. Just don’t take the expectations too high. He’s a solid 2/3 center, not a number-one. In fact, on a Stanley Cup contender, he’d be your irreplaceable two-way center, probably in the three slot.
Right now he’s pencilled in as a 1A or 1B with Chandler Stephenson, and he should fit in well with new head coach Lane Lambert’s systems.
As it stands, with Shane Wright improving and the addition of shoot-out and face-off specialist Freddie Gaudreau, the Kraken might make strides up the middle with offense by committee.
Fans hope so.
In the meantime, Beniers will continue to build on his game. He won the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie-of-the-year in 2023 (see video at bottom), dropped off with the good ole sophomore slump in 2024, and then took steps forward again last season with 20 goals and 23 assists. He also played in all 82 games, another sign he’s building durability.
Looking back, he actually showed it his award winning rookie season. Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers cheap-shotted Beniers with a hit to the head on January 25th, 2023. Beniers missed just two games.
A different ‘upper body injury’ kept him out of five games the following season.
Sorry, are we back on physical issues again?
Another reason for expectations; Beniers will make a little more than $7.1-million over the next six seasons. That’s a solid chunk of change for 20 goals and 43 points.
Will he live up to it? The next step begins October 9th at home against the Anaheim Ducks.
Earlier Kraken:
— Kraken Holiday 9; Olympic Hopeful, New Coach, Lost Friends
Of interest on the Vancouver site:
— What’s Next For The Canucks Hit Machine
Flashback video: Beniers with Seattle Hockey Insider immediately after winning the Calder Trophy …
