Kraken sign Beniers to 7-year extension with $7.14M AAV

The Seattle Kraken signed franchise cornerstone and restricted free-agent center Matty Beniers to a seven-year extension with a $7.14-million cap hit, the team announced Tuesday.

Beniers won the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie after logging 24 goals and 57 points in 80 games in 2022-23. He wasn't as effective in his sophomore season, potting 15 tallies and 37 points in 77 outings as the Kraken missed the playoffs for the second time in their first three seasons.

However, Beniers improved in the faceoff circle, winning 47.4% of his draws in Year 2 compared to just 42.2% in Year 1.

The 21-year-old is the franchise's first-ever draft pick. Seattle selected him with the second overall selection in 2021.

"Matty has been a core part of our team since making his NHL debut, not only on the ice but in his commitment to our community and our fans," general manager Ron Francis said in a statement. "Signing Matty to a new contract was a top priority for our offseason, and we are excited to have it done.

"We're looking forward to seeing Matty take the next steps as a player and watching him contribute to many more memorable moments for our franchise."

Though he's about to embark on his third full NHL season, Beniers has already established himself as the Kraken's first-line center. During his stellar rookie campaign, Seattle outscored opponents 63-41 and dictated 52.6% of the expected goals with Beniers on the ice at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Beniers made his NHL debut in April 2022 shortly after his second NCAA campaign at Michigan ended with a national semifinal loss to Denver. He impressed in a 10-game stretch to end the Kraken's regular season, totaling three goals and nine points.

The Massachusetts native also put up seven points in 14 contests during Seattle's run to the second round during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.