The path to the Buffalo Sabres for Zach Benson has been similar to many of the club’s high draft picks, with limited or no time in the minors before being pressed into duty in the NHL. The talented and speedy winger played in a depth role as an 18-year-old, and late in his second season with the Sabres, he is making up for his lack of stature with a high level of effort.
"(Zach) he's always around the net making plays and doing his thing, winning battles," Sabres forward Peyton Krebs said of Benson late last month. "It's good to see. That's how we want to build guys coming into our organization with those foundational details and if we continue to do that, we're going to have success."
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Benson took advantage of an injury to Matthew Savoie at the Sabres 2023 development camp and impressed enough in the pre-season to make the club and burn the first year of his entry-level contract instead of returning him to Wenatchee of the Western Hockey League. His rookie season was streaky, but the youngster ended up with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists), playing mostly in a third and fourth line role.
The Chilliwack, BC native filled a similar role, drifting up and down the lineup until last month, when Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff placed Benson on the top line with rookie Jiri Kulich and leading scorer Tage Thompson. In spite of being goalless in 13 games, the 19-year-old has been effective at being a facilitator and doing some of the dirty work down low against bigger players and helped Buffalo in their recent success.
"I think his tenacity on the puck. He's a little rat. I love the way he plays. He's hard working. He moves his feet. Doesn't matter the size of the guy, he's going against, he's going to come out with the puck," Thompson said. "When I'm playing with him, I just try to put it in areas where he's going to be able to get it...... He's got really good hands and vision. So pair that with his work ethic, he's a lot of fun to play with."
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