The Seattle Kraken's Best Active Homegrown Player: Brought To You By Upper Deck

When Ron Francis and the rest of the Kraken management group prepared to make the franchise's first-ever draft selection, they had no other name in mind than Matty Beniers.

His speed, offensive creativity and his two-way capabilities were a no-brainer for the Kraken. Taken with the second overall pick in the 2021 draft, Beniers was coming off a stellar freshman season at the University of Michigan. His teammate at Michigan, Owen Power was the first overall selection in the draft and was followed by Luke Hughes his future Michigan teammate at four and his other Michigan teammate Kent Johnson at five.

The Kraken had multiple opportunities to watch Beniers in his draft year. He played for Team USA at the World Juniors, where he won gold and at the World Championship where he won bronze.

His speed, stick-handling and playmaking ability are his biggest strengths and was why he won the Calder Trophy as the best rookie in the NHL during the 2022-23 season. In his rookie campaign, Beniers scored 24 goals and 57 points in 80 games.

Beniers is up for a contract extension this summer and could become the Kraken's highest paid player. His sophomore season didn't go as he and the Kraken had hoped. Playing in 77 games, Beniers was only able to pot 15 goals and 37 points.

Since selecting Beniers in 2021, the Kraken have selected Shane Wright (2022) and Eduard Sale (2023) in the first round. On June 28, the Kraken will make the franchises fourth first round pick at eighth overall.

The Kraken have also made eight second round picks in three drafts headlined by Ryker Evans in 2021, Jagger Firkus, Jani Nyman, Niklas Kokko and David Goyette in 2022 and Carson Rehkopf, Oscar Fisker Molgaard and Lukas Dragicevic in 2023.

The Kraken's scouting staff, headlined by Dave Baseggio and Robert Kron have put the team in a great situation for the future. They have a number of prospects on the cusp of fighting for roster spots and also have the depth to trade for top-end players.

The Kraken are looking to bolster their lineup by adding a scoring winger this offseason and if they are able to acquire one, we can finally see the offensive heights Beniers can reach.

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Related: Kraken GM Francis Speaks On New Deal In Works For Matty Beniers