Prospect Info: Zach Benson, LW/C, Wenatchee (WHL), Signed ELC- 2023, 13th Overall

[Nikolajs Sillers]

DAWG.

 

[oldgoalie]

this kid is the real deal. what a spark plug. we keep saying Savoie is going to be the next Danny Briere, but he's here already.

 

[SabresFan26]

this kid is the real deal. what a spark plug. we keep saying Savoie is going to be the next Danny Briere, but he's here already.

I hope he develops a mean streak like Briere to protect himself as a smaller guy.

 

[Dirty Dog]

Listed at 170 lb.

At least half of that is balls, brains, and hands.

Big Ball Benson

 

[toddkaz]

This is the type of player Tampa or Boston has on their team and we got em.

 

[Tatanka]

I hope he develops a mean streak like Briere to protect himself as a smaller guy.

I had similar concerns but I think he will be fine. He doesn’t stand around and watch the outcome of a play. He instinctively moves to where he thinks its going. Things in motion are tougher to get a clean shot at.

 

[Cirris]

I hope he develops a mean streak like Briere to protect himself as a smaller guy.

Agreed, especially since Zach seems to like going to the dirty areas to score goals.

 

[Willgamesh]

this kid is the real deal. what a spark plug. we keep saying Savoie is going to be the next Danny Briere, but he's here already.

why not both.

 

[BuffaloGooner]

I hope he develops a mean streak like Briere to protect himself as a smaller guy.

I kinda feels like he’s got a bit of that in him already. He’s hacking guys, he’s poking the goalie. Kid is a little rat. I’ve always wanted a Marchand type that was also an awesome player.

 

[dire wolf]

He's a complete player. Can't wait to see him continue to develop, improve, and add some bulk.

 

[Dingo44]

Zach promises to go #MittelstadtMode in 2024!

 

[Abraham de Lacy]

I love the guy. His character and intelligence are things that can not be taught, I think. He was born to be this player, it's in the genes.

Awesome player!

 

[Dingo44]

 

[dortt]

since we aren't making the playoffs, I'd send him back before game 41.

This gives us another year to have Benson under our control before he hits USA. Delays UFA to 26 vs 25

 

[SabresNorth]

If they were going to send him back he should have went to the WJC tourney. I can't see him going back to junior after withholding him.

since we aren't making the playoffs, I'd send him back before game 41.

This gives us another year to have Benson under our control before he hits USA. Delays UFA to 26 vs 25

 

[dortt]

If they were going to send him back he should have went to the WJC tourney. I can't see him going back to junior after withholding him.

he can still play 12 more games. keep him here for them. Let him earn an NHL salary. Then send him back for a playoff push

 

[Old Navy Goat]

he can still play 12 more games. keep him here for them. Let him earn an NHL salary. Then send him back for a playoff push

What playoff push? Wenatchee unloaded it's roster for futures so Benson would be returning to a gutted team

 

[Zman5778]

he can still play 12 more games. keep him here for them. Let him earn an NHL salary. Then send him back for a playoff push

I cannot, in any way, see Benson being happy with being sent back to juniors AFTER the WJC....without getting a chance to play in them. Like....it could be catastrophic to the Benson/Sabres relationship.

 

[dortt]

I cannot, in any way, see Benson being happy with being sent back to juniors AFTER the WJC....without getting a chance to play in them. Like....it could be catastrophic to the Benson/Sabres relationship.

I could think of about 200,000 reasons why he would be happier to be sent back after game 40 than before the WJC

 

[Zman5778]

I could think of about 200,000 reasons why he would be happier to be sent back after game 40 than before the WJC

It's not all always about money.

 

[Matt Ress]

He's not going back

 

[Dubi Doo]

He's been the biggest bright spot in an otherwise dark season. I'm intrigued with this kid. So damn smart and has that DOG in him.

 

[1TuchAnd1NoTuch]

As much as the season may be lost you just can’t send one of your strongest players down to save a year of UFA

 

[HOOats]

Benson is going to be signed until he's 28-31 no matter if he hits UFA at 25 or 26.

Sure we'll have to buy an extra year of UFA on said contract, but Benson's contract story is already going to be unique as a player starting his ELC at 18 (and not putting up the big numbers that 18yos aka top picks usually do).

 

[Dingo44]

Why Zach Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line

Benson played with Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch on Monday, and Sabres coach Don Granato said he could “stabilize” the top line.

theathletic.com

After the game on Monday, Granato said he thought Benson could “stabilize” the top line. That’s right, the 18-year-old can bring stability to Thompson and Tuch, the team’s two leading goal scorers from a season ago. Granato called Benson one of the Sabres’ most responsible players.

“Benny is always direct, always to the front of the net, always on the puck,” Granato said. “I knew the guys would respond to that.”

Imagine that. Those are things Granato has been preaching all season, and he’s getting them most consistently from an 18-year-old who came straight from junior hockey. When Granato puts an in-game adjustment in front of the team, he said Benson is the best player at implementing that information on the ice quickly.

After spending the early part of the season living in a hotel, Benson moved in with Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin, who has extra space with the new house he bought after signing his eight-year contract extension.