Seattle Kraken Prospect Focus: Matty Beniers is the Start of a Strong Foundation
The Seattle Kraken don’t have a strong foundation. But 2021 first-round pick Matty Beniers is a cornerstone they can potentially build their future on.
Almost a quarter of the way through the 2021-22 season, it has become apparent that the Seattle Kraken have their fair share of struggles. With 23 games already under their belt, the team is 7th in the Pacific Division. Their 8-13-1 season record and .391 P% is an unsettling reminder that not all expansion teams are as lucky as the Vegas Golden Knights.
There is always the chance the Kraken can figure out how to put things together. But, the reality is, losing games by a 2+ goal deficit has become the norm. Only a miracle a la the 2018-19 St. Louis Blues could turn things around. However, too many factors make that unlikely.
So, where do the Seattle Kraken go from here? How do they turn things around? A lot of that depends on the future they have started to build through the draft. They haven’t had years to stockpile draft picks like the rest of the league. Nevertheless, they’ve started to build a pretty strong foundation. The centerpiece of their arsenal is 19-year-old Matthew Beniers.
Draft Year Obstacles Prove to be Beneficial
For players looking to be drafted at the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, the 2020-21 season presented huge obstacles. Prior to the start of the season, the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) announced that they would be suspending all team sports due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Several players had to make tough calls. Matty Beniers was one of those players who committed to Harvard University.
A last-minute change in plans found Beniers donning the maize and blue of the University of Michigan Wolverines. In hindsight, Beniers decision to join the Wolverines was a wise choice in furthering his career.
He quickly set himself apart as one of their most dominant players. Beniers opened the season with a four-game scoring streak while playing on the fourth line. It wasn’t long before he moved his way up the lineup, solidifying a spot for himself in Michigan’s Top-6. It wasn’t long before his draft stock skyrocketed. His name was thrown in the mix as a potential first or second overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.