Seattle Kraken Prospect Focus: Matty Beniers is the Start of a Strong Foundation
Beniers Can Aid in Scoring Woes
The Kraken are currently 13th in the league in Goals For, with 68. Only five players on their roster have scored 5 or more goals this season, with one breaking double digits. While their goal-scoring isn’t the biggest concern, it has still been a major factor in several of their losses. The team is tied for 4th in Goals Against. If they are going to allow 3.48 GA/G, it is going to be practically impossible for them to close the gap and win games if they’re only scoring at a 2.96 GF/G pace.
Matty Beniers has taken another step forward in his goal-scoring this season. While a majority of his 11 goals have come on the power play, he is scoring goals nonetheless. However, as a play-making center, it is unlikely that he will be an explosive goal scorer at the NHL level; but, his skills as a playmaker should not go unmentioned.
Beniers is a highly-accurate passer, which makes him a very trustworthy player who can handle a lot of responsibility on the ice. His soft hands give him excellent control of both his stick and the puck. At just 19-years-old he has the ability to drive the pace of the game, speeding it up or slowing it down in order to create more opportunities and openings in the defense. His incredible vision and strong instincts are what keep him on Michigan’s score sheet on a nightly basis.
When Can We Expect Beniers in the NHL?
Following his 2021-22 campaign with the Wolverines, Beniers will be free to sign his ELC. It would not come as a surprise if he joined Seattle at the conclusion of his season in Michigan. This would be a great opportunity for Beniers to get familiar with the Kraken before he, hopefully, earns a spot on the team in 2022-23 out of training camp.
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The Seattle Kraken may not make it to the playoffs. However, if they add Beniers to their roster following his season in Michigan, the last few weeks of Kraken hockey are sure to be exciting.