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

[Reddawg]

He missed 11 games?!? Bust!

I'm just saying, it could have been even better statistically. He's one of the most valuable players on our roster.

 

[CowbellConray]

and how is it a hot take to say that Benson was below average? Is 30 points what we should expect from an average NHLer? One who got plenty of time in the top 6?

Better than team average Corsi
Better than team average fenwick
+11 Takeaway/Giveaway ratio
28 ES points (only 2 PP points because he didnt play much PP time
PDO was low, production was worse than impact on ice
14:31 TOI, anyone with more production than him had more PP time and more overall TOI
Ended the year with 12 points in his last 17, showing growth in his game as the year went on
Still only 18 years of age, so of course he gets a general thought of "He will continue to grow"

He was A+ in the sense that as the 12th overall pick he came in and had a positive impact on the team, and showed growth as the year went on

If you are comparing him relative to other NHL players, looking at his production and advanced stats, I'd give him a B. He is absolutely a guy who this year would have put up 38-42 points with consistent PP time, and would have done even better if he was truly in the top 6 like you are saying... (ES TOI was 9th for forwards)

 

[CowbellConray]

Better than team average Corsi
Better than team average fenwick
+11 Takeaway/Giveaway ratio
28 ES points (only 2 PP points because he didnt play much PP time
PDO was low, production was worse than impact on ice
14:31 TOI, anyone with more production than him had more PP time and more overall TOI
Ended the year with 12 points in his last 17, showing growth in his game as the year went on
Still only 18 years of age, so of course he gets a general thought of "He will continue to grow"

He was A+ in the sense that as the 12th overall pick he came in and had a positive impact on the team, and showed growth as the year went on

If you are comparing him relative to other NHL players, looking at his production and advanced stats, I'd give him a B. He is absolutely a guy who this year would have put up 38-42 points with consistent PP time, and would have done even better if he was truly in the top 6 like you are saying... (ES TOI was 9th for forwards)

Not to hammera point home further....

These are the skaters who were around Benson for ESTOI. Far right (last column) is ES points.

He scored more points than Kevin Hayes, Scott Laughton, Protas, Kapanen, Evans, Poehling). He scored two less ES points than Perron, and 5 less than Knies. On the 22nd best scoring team in the league.

For his time on ice and matchups, he did well as a general player, and VERY well given he is 18...

 

[Steddy33]

let's not go overboard and give him an A+

He had a D+ year, which is really good for an 18 year old (the overwhelming majority get Fs). But he was still a below average NHLer overall

The most consistent and best player on the team a lot of nights, as an 18 year old, gets a d+. I enjoy stories.

If even half the team played half as hard and intelligent as this guy did as a rookie we'd be in the playoffs.

 

[dortt]

Dude can only legally drink in 1/3 of Canada. 30 points is a great season for an 18 year old.

I said he had a great season for an 18 year old.

But a great season for an 18 year old still came out to be below average as an NHLer

 

[MarkusKetterer]

I'm just saying, it could have been even better statistically. He's one of the most valuable players on our roster.

I checked out on the team in November. So I actually had no idea he missed 11 games.

 

[Chainshot]

That is some good work @CowbellConray .

 

[CowbellConray]

I said he had a great season for an 18 year old.

But a great season for an 18 year old still came out to be below average as an NHLer

I still dont see any metrics that classify him as a below average NHLer

 

[Chainshot]

Man, the similarities to ROR's 18-year old season in terms of ES TOI and ES production get really clear on Quant.

 

[CowbellConray]

Man, the similarities to ROR's 18-year old season in terms of ES TOI and ES production get really clear on Quant.

I started thinking RNH from 11-12 without the PP scoring. I think if Benson ends up between RNH and ROR you have a damn good player on your hands

 

[Beerz]

Said he will be training with skating coach BARB AIDELBAUM this summer.

 

[Chainshot]

Said he will be training with skating coach BARB AIDELBAUM this summer.

Looks like she does a lot of individual skating coaching with various NHLers over the years. I see Reinhart among her clientele on her website.

 

[Ace]

Here’s how he played down the stretch of the season as he had more put on his plate and Mittelstadt wasn’t there to be a strong linemate. Was still 18



On a team full of anchors…he’s an 18 year old life preserver

D+

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

and how is it a hot take to say that Benson was below average? Is 30 points what we should expect from an average NHLer? One who got plenty of time in the top 6?

That’s close to median for an nhl regular.

 

[Faceboner]

That’s close to median for an nhl regular.

His toi indicated more of a 3rd line guy with special teams time

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

His toi indicated more of a 3rd line guy with special teams time

That's a median NHLer

 

[WhereAreTheCookies]

His scoring as an 18 year old in the NHL isn't much different from a lot of excellent current NHL players.

Here's a snapshot of the players around him since the lockout.

 

[SnuggaRUDE]

His scoring as an 18 year old in the NHL isn't much different from a lot of excellent current NHL players.

Here's a snapshot of the players around him since the lockout.

View attachment 855505

Barkov's numbers are crazy, that was a very low scoring stretch for the league

 

[Djp]

Can Benson play in Rochester? I know if he was with WHL he would be able to play in Rochester now.,

 

[Havok89]

Can Benson play in Rochester? I know if he was with WHL he would be able to play in Rochester now.,

If Benson can improve his speed and strength a bit, he’s undoubtedly an NHL player, and there’s no need for Rochester. I’m pretty sure with more power play time he’s a 60+ point guy real soon.

He already plays the way most of our veterans need to.

 

[Faceboner]

If Benson can improve his speed and strength a bit, he’s undoubtedly an NHL player, and there’s no need for Rochester. I’m pretty sure with more power play time he’s a 60+ point guy real soon.

He already plays the way most of our veterans need to.

He just needs to keep putting in the work in the off-season he started looking faster as the season went on by the time he hits 23 he will be a beast along with our d core hitting their prime years we will be a good team soon

 

[Djp]

If Benson can improve his speed and strength a bit, he’s undoubtedly an NHL player, and there’s no need for Rochester. I’m pretty sure with more power play time he’s a 60+ point guy real soon.

He already plays the way most of our veterans need to.

Im talking about playing for Rochester in the playoffs with his CHL team out

he cant play in rochester in 24/25--its CHL or buffalo

 

[Ace]

Im talking about playing for Rochester in the playoffs with his CHL team out

he cant play in rochester in 24/25--its CHL or buffalo

I would guess he would have needed to be paper transactioned down before the deadline to be eligible. His pro contract started so I would think the rules for playoff eligibility are different once that happens.

But it doesn’t matter either way. He needs to head to the off-season now. It’s more than just playing the full season…his last off-season was a deep playoff run, followed by combine and draft and dev camp and rookie tournament and vet camp and preseason…not to mention moving to a new country and everything that comes with that. Kid hasn’t stopped since before last season in Winnipeg started.

 

[slip]

I would guess he would have needed to be paper transactioned down before the deadline to be eligible. His pro contract started so I would think the rules for playoff eligibility are different once that happens.

But it doesn’t matter either way. He needs to head to the off-season now. It’s more than just playing the full season…his last off-season was a deep playoff run, followed by combine and draft and dev camp and rookie tournament and vet camp and preseason…not to mention moving to a new country and everything that comes with that. Kid hasn’t stopped since before last season in Winnipeg started.

Yeah man the kid deserves a break. He should take the next couple of months and relax an be an 18 year old, Throw in several weekly strength training sessions and some light conditioning work, but that's it.

 

[Mattilaus]

Might have been posted already but:
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