SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 18: Adam Larsson #6 and Matty Beniers #10 of the Seattle Kraken celebrate a goal by Jordan Eberle #7 during the second period against the Winnipeg Jets at Climate Pledge Arena on December 18, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Matty Beniers emerged out of the opaque mist of the offseason which began five months ago, clear with an upgraded physique. Adam Larsson emerged from his with a clear vision.
What’s also clear: the Seattle Kraken and two of their cornerstone members, Beniers and Larsson, joined together on a long-term vision while appearing before the media on Wednesday for the first time since their contracts were solidified. The Kraken wrapped that up by extending Beniers earlier this summer on a seven-year deal worth $7.14 million annually, due to keep him in Seattle through 2030-31. Larsson, extended on Tuesday, agreed to a four-year deal worth $5.25 million which kicks in starting in the 2025-26 season.
“We think (Beniers has) got a bright future, and being able to get him on board for seven more years is really exciting for us,” said Kraken general manager Ron Francis.
“(Larsson has) been a heart and soul kind of our organization from day one, loves being in Seattle, wants to be here, wants to be part of what we're building.”
Beniers’ case to amplify his game largely could rely on conditioning, where at times last season, he was hampered against beefier competition with his 6-foot-2 frame, hovering under 175 pounds. At just 21 years of age, and with a Calder Trophy and two full years under his belt, he is becoming a seasoned professional, but with a call to action in the weight room.
Consider this summer as a call that was answered. Francis told Ian Furness on 93.3 KJR-FM, Wednesday afternoon, that Beniers is up to 184 pounds: with a trick this season calling for Beniers to maintain that weight and prepare for another summer of gains in 12 months.
"He's added some muscle to his frame,” said Francis.
Beniers is looking for a U-turn in his numbers after a 20-point drop last season following his 57-point Calder Trophy campaign and said a focus of his weight gain was within his core – a combination of an athlete’s lower back, hips, and stomach region that often dictate balance.
“Feeling bigger, feeling stronger, a little bit heavier on my on my feet out there, not getting no not falling down as much – I know I have a tendency to do that,” said Beniers.
“I've been trying to get better on over the last few years. Just making sure I'm eating healthy. I’ve got to eat a lot of calories throughout the day.”
The task to fit Beniers’ seven-year contract into the grand scheme of the Kraken salary cap, which only has a little over $4,000 to spare, will also have to make way in defenseman Larsson’s new payday which kicks in after this next season. The reasons for Larsson are clear: he eats top minutes on the team’s first defensive pairing with Vince Dunn with a physical, shutdown brand, and rarely misses a game – his previous ironman streak of 343 straight games came to an end last season to be present for the birth of his daughter, Alba – the only game he's missed in his three-year Kraken career. It’s conceivable if Larsson entered the free agent market next summer, he would have a line of suitors at his doorstep.
Instead, Larsson – who Francis said is “in the mix” for consideration as the team’s next captain – is here to stay, for as long as an eight-year tenure once his new deal wraps up at age 36.
“Just seeing how much the city, the fans, and everyone around the city loves the team, that was something I really wanted to see a lot more of,” said Larsson.
Francis said the deal came together quickly, and word got around fast – to the point where Larsson said he texted Dunn, and word got out (almost too) quickly, courtesy of a cryptic post by Dunn on Monday.
“I told (Dunn), take it down,” said Larsson, tongue in cheek.
“We’re both going to stay here awhile. We’re having a lot of fun together.”
Where the Kraken go with their roster remains to be seen with limited cap space. Francis said “we’re always looking at possibilities” with regards alleviating 21 players under a cap-crunch situation. The NHL maximum roster size, when cap compliant, is 23 players.
“We’ll have those conversations with Dan (Bylsma), make sure of what may or may not transpire, and go from there,” said Francis.