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Source: Beniers Deal Sets a Roadmap for High-Caliber Young Players |
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On Tuesday, the Seattle Kraken signed 21-year-old Matty Beniers to a seven-year contract extension that will carry a $7.14 million cap hit ($49.98 million total value).Beniers did not yet have arbitration rights and thus far has yet to have a 25-goal or 60-point season (15 goals, 37 points in 2023-24).
Even so, when I spoke to a source shortly after the Beniers deal was announced, he thought it was a great deal for both sides.
"First of all, it's seven years of cost certainty. Second, Beniers has been their guy from Day One. All along, their long-term plan has been to build around the kid. Third, he really barely scratched the surface of how far he'll come along as he starts to hit his prime. So, to go to seven-and-change on his second contract is a pretty smart bet," the source said.
"From the kid's standpoint, this one was a no-brainer. It's one hell of a second contract, coming off an ELC. It's stability for, what, the next six years? He's betting on himself that he'll be up for another big bump if he extends after six or hits UFA after seven."
As the source noted, the ultra-talented young center is the No. 1 player whom the Kraken are building around. Seattle chose Beniers with the second overall pick of the 2021 Draft. He had a bit of a "sophomore slump" this past season but enjoyed an excellent rookie season in 2022-23 that saw him win the Calder Trophy.
I asked the source if he thinks other teams will try to sign their top young players to similar extensions coming off their entry-level deals.
"Well, it's got to be for a special player like a Beniers. Not many of those around. The typical kid isn't going to see anything like that in his second contract. But if you're talking about a [Mason] McTavish type over the next year... yeah, I think teams and agents will be looking at the Beniers contract as the benchmark. With Connor Bedard in a couple years, I think it elevates even higher," the source said.
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