Welcome again to the latest edition in THN.com’s series examining important issues concerning every NHL team.
In this file, we’re looking at three key issues facing the Seattle Kraken.
1. Is this Matty Beniers’ breakout year?
After winning the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2022-23, Beniers took a step back on offense this past season, as his totals fell from 24 goals and 57 points in 80 games, to 15 goals and 37 points in 77 games last year. Still, Seattle GM Ron Francis saw enough in the 21-year-old forward to sign him to a seven-year, $50-million contract extension in August.
So, with that bump in pay – from his entry-level contract to an annual average value of $7.14 million – does Beniers have to do more than he did last season? Yes, absolutely. He’ll be playing on the Kraken’s top line, and seeing power play action on Seattle’s first unit. Nothing short of a point-per-game pace will justify Beniers’ new contract. But we suspect he’ll get there as he continues to hone his craft.
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We know that progress isn’t always linear at the NHL level, and Beniers needs to show he can adjust to opponents focusing on him as their chief defense target. He won’t be challenging for the Art Ross Trophy as the league’s top point-producer, but if Beniers can post offense at or near a point-per-game pace, Seattle brass will be satisfied with his progress. Some of the Kraken’s veteran additions (forward Chandler Stephenson and defenseman Brandon Montour) should help Beniers boost his point total this season.
2. Can Seattle intensify a Kraken/Canucks rivalry?
The natural connection between West Coast rivals Vancouver and Seattle haven’t yet led to fiery battles, but if the Kraken can get back into the Stanley Cup playoffs after failing to make the post-season last year, they’re likely to have a showdown with the Canucks when the games matter most.
The NHL’s playoff format emphasizes the link between divisional rivals, and Vancouver took a major step forward this past season; if Seattle can rebound with their new-look roster and earn a post-season berth, the Kraken/Canucks games are going to be especially entertaining.
For years, Vancouver had the attention of the Pacific North West, but now that Seattle is part of the picture in that region, the Kraken and Canucks are likely to judge their success in part by what they do against each other. We’re of the opinion Seattle is going to have a better season in 2024-25, and if that comes to pass, Vancouver is going to have to dig deep to knock off the Kraken when they do square off this coming season.
3. Can Seattle’s offense reward its defense?
The Kraken had the ninth-fewest goals-against per game last season, but they also had the fourth-fewest goals-for last year. Francis is hoping the additions of Stephenson and Montour are going to help Seattle’s offense, but there’s still a lack of high-end depth up front, so improvement on offense is going to have to at least partly be an internal process.
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The evolution of Kraken youngsters such as center Shane Wright and Tye Kartye will take some of the pressure off veterans including Jared McCann, Jaden Schwartz, Jordan Eberle and Andre Burakovsky, but those veterans have to chip in a fair amount of offense if Seattle is going to improve in the other team’s zone. And let’s not forget – the Kraken’s defense can’t take a backward step, either.
New head coach Dan Bylsma has to find the right balance for his team, and if one of the two areas is lacking, Seattle is going to be hard-pressed to get back into the post-season mix. The Pacific will be a more competitive division in 2024-25, and the Kraken have to keep pace with strong Pacific teams including the Canucks, Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers. Francis and Bylsma have to pull the right strings, but the Kraken’s players have to put it on themselves to be better with the puck and take some pressure off the defense. It’s possible they can do so, but they still have to prove it.
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News Summary:
- NHL's Top Issues Facing the Seattle Kraken: Beniers, Vancouver Rivalry and Improved Offense
- Check all news and articles from the latest NHL updates.