The Kraken's first-ever draft selection is set to take the ice for Seattle on Tuesday.
Matty Beniers is expected to make his debut tonight for the Kraken in their game against the Flames. Beniers was taken by the Kraken with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Beniers took the ice with the team on Monday after signing his contract over the weekend.
Matty Beniers on the ice for the first time with the #SEAKraken pic.twitter.com/KFgDcxAdl8
— Emerald City Hockey (@EmeraldCityHky) April 11, 2022
The center spent the last two seasons in college with Michigan. Beniers helped the Wolverines to a Big Ten title this season and a Frozen Four appearance, before the team lost to Denver in the national semifinals.
Beniers is the future of the Kraken, who are wrapping up their first season in the NHL. There is no star on the team currently, but Beniers is set to be that guy. He was drafted to be the face of the franchise and that process starts in Calgary tonight.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Benier's Kraken debut tonight.
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How to watch Matty Beniers' debut
- Date: Tuesday, April 12
- Time: 10 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. PT
The Kraken-Flames game can be streamed on ESPN+ in the United States.
For Canadian viewers, the game will be broadcast live on Sportsnet. You can stream the game on Sportsnet NOW or in the Sportsnet app.
How did Matty Beniers do with Michigan this season?
For all of the talent on a loaded Michigan team this season, Beniers stood out the most. He led the team in points with 43, finished second in goals with 20 and fourth in assists with 23. His 10 power play goals were tied for fourth-highest in all of college hockey.
Beniers' point production led all Big Ten skaters, earning an unanimous selection to the 2021-22 All-Big Ten First Team. He also finished in the top 10 of Hobey Baker voting as college hockey's top player.
In his two seasons in Ann Arbor, the Hingham, Mass. native racked up a total of 30 goals and 37 assists, totaling 67 points in 61 contests.
What does Matty Beniers bring to the Sabres?
There was no player in the 2021 draft class considered to be a more talented two-way forward than Beniers. He is as well-rounded of a prospect as you will find.
Beniers is always involved when in his own zone, using an active stick to disrupt plays constantly. He's quick to lift a stick and gain control of the puck.
For as strong as his defensive game is, his offense is coming along quite nicely. Beniers has always been able to get himself on the scoresheet with his passing, but his scoring touch took a step forward this season.
He's the kind of player you want out in your defensive zone when you're up by a goal late in a game, and the player you want when you're down in a contest and in need of a score.
Who will Matty Beniers play with?
Kraken coach Dave Hakstol inserted Beniers right on the top line with Ryan Donato and Jordan Eberle.
Whether or not Beniers plays the entirety of the game on Tuesday with the top line remains to be seen, but it appears as though he will be given top-six minutes.
Matty Beniers contract details
Beniers and the Kraken agreed to a three-year, $5.55 million entry-level contract on April 10. The contract carries an AAV of $1.85 million with a cap hit of $897,500 each year.
He'll be a restricted free agent after the 2023-24 season.
