The Seattle Kraken are in need of more offensive production from the centre core ahead of their clash with the Nashville Predators.
The Seattle Kraken are in need of more offensive production from the centre core ahead of their clash with the Nashville Predators.
Through three games, the four Kraken centremen have combined for just one point, which came from fourth-line centre Yanni Gourde. Matty Beniers, Shane Wright and Chandler Stephenson haven't registered a point to start the season.
Stephenson was one of the Kraken's two big offseason acquisitions and playing with a familiar linemate in Andre Burakovsky, many were hoping he would start the season off well. The past chemistry they had hasn't clicked quite yet but because the season is so young, the expectation is that it will come in a matter of time.
Beniers signed a massive seven-year, $7.14M AAV contract this offseason with the expectation that he would take another step forward after a difficult 2023-24 campaign. Through three games, Beniers is without a point and has been an inconsistent offensive threat. He's had flashes but has only eight shots on goal.
Wright has been on the ice for several Kraken goals but hasn't found his name on the scoresheet just yet. Wright ended last year strongly and carried it into the pre-season, notching three goals in four games but it hasn't translated to the regular season.
For the Kraken to begin to pile on wins, Stephenson, Beniers and Wright are all going to have to step up.
The Predators made multiple big-name signings headlined by Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault. They have high hopes this season and also possess a strong centre core. Ryan O'Reilly, Steven Stamkos and Tommy Novak will be a tough challenge for Stephenson, Wright and Beniers to deal with but if they are serious about their hopes of making the playoffs, winning in-game battles like this is what they need to do.
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