After suffering an apparent injury following a hit Wednesday, Kraken All-Star Matty Beniers was ruled out of games Friday and Saturday before a break for the annual NHL showcase, putting his participation in question.
“He won’t be available today or tomorrow,” coach Dave Hakstol said Friday morning. He didn’t comment on Beniers’ All-Star weekend availability but said the rookie can be called day-to-day.
Beniers, 20, is set to make his All-Star Game debut Feb. 4 in Sunrise, Florida, during a weekend hosted by the Florida Panthers. Beniers is the Kraken’s sole representative and traditionally would be replaced by a teammate if he can’t attend.
The Kraken hosted the Calgary Flames on Friday night at Climate Pledge Arena and will welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets 24 hours later. Those are their last matchups before the All-Star break. Their first game after the break is Feb. 7 at the New York Islanders, giving those who aren’t headed to Sunrise a week and a half to rest.
Early in Wednesday’s second period, 6-foot-8 Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers was whistled for interference after dumping Beniers, who did not have the puck, to the ice between the faceoff circles. Beniers spun and appeared to try to catch himself, but his helmet made contact with the ice as his arms did.
Seattle’s Jared McCann scored on the ensuing power play to make it 3-0. Jamie Oleksiak fought Myers’ teammate Luke Schenn immediately afterward. Beniers played throughout the second period, but Hakstol said after the game that the Kraken’s contender for the Calder Memorial Trophy, the league’s rookie of the year award, “wasn’t available” for the third.
Myers was not fined or suspended Thursday by the NHL Department of Player Safety.
Beniers led all NHL rookies in goals (17) and points (36). He was second and tied for third, respectively, on his team in those categories.
The Kraken recalled forward Max McCormick from the Coachella Valley Firebirds of the American Hockey League, and he arrived in time for warmups. He was scratched against Calgary in favor of fellow Coachella Valley call-up John Hayden, who scored during the first period Friday.
McCormick appeared in 10 games with Seattle last season. He was plus-1 with 10 penalty minutes. He’s tied with Jesper Froden for the Firebirds points lead with 42.
Seattle also announced defenseman Justin Schultz was placed on injured reserve. He missed his fourth straight game Friday and was previously described as week-to-week with an undisclosed concern, but Hakstol said Oleksiak’s usual defensive partner is “progressing well.” There is no timeline for his return.
Who’s on deck?
To reiterate, Beniers hasn’t been ruled out of the All-Star weekend. But if the Kraken need a new spokesperson, there are several candidates.
Andre Burakovsky leads the team with 13 goals and 39 points. He’s had his own recent injury concerns and was described as a game-time decision this week after missing a game Jan. 21 against the Colorado Avalanche.
McCann leads the team in goals with 23. He’s on pace for a new career high for a second straight year after scoring 27 in Seattle’s inaugural season. He spent parts of three seasons with the Panthers so it would be a homecoming of sorts.
Last year’s All-Star selection, Jordan Eberle, could be considered for a return trip. Eberle is second to Burakovsky in points and tied for the Kraken lead in assists with Vince Dunn, who is enjoying a breakout season of his own, having already set a new career high in points (36). But Dunn has his position working against him as a potential replacement. Beniers is a forward while Dunn is a defenseman.
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