APRIL 11 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM
ZACH BENSON
10 G •
18 A •
1.60 S/G
10 G
18 A
1.60 S/G
Benson Working His Way Into Top-Six Role 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 minor...
Earns assist Saturday Benson posted an assist, three shots on goal and two blocked shots in Saturday's 3-2 shootout win over the Lightning.
Impact Benson has been limited to three helpers over his last 10 outings since a two-point effort in Detroit on March 12. The 19-year-old is still seeing even-strength minutes on the top line, but he's losing out on power-play time more often late in the season. He's up to 26 points, 106 shots on net, 28 blocked shots, 26 hits, 58 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 68 contests overall.
APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE
First point since return Benson logged an assist and three shots on goal in Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Senators.
Impact Benson ended a four-game point drought, which included one missed game due to an illness. Since returning, the winger has filled a top-line role at even strength, which raises expectations for his offense. He's had an okay season with 10 goals, 14 helpers, 96 shots on net, 54 PIM and an even plus-minus rating over 63 outings, but he hasn't shown much growth from his 30-point rookie campaign a year ago. He's still just 19 years old and skipped the AHL, so there's plenty of learning for him to do on the job at the NHL level.
MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE
Thompson scores go-ahead goal, Sabres coach Ruff reaches 600 career wins in 3-2 win over Senators
Tage Thompson scored the go-ahead goal 1:23 into the third period, and Lindy Ruff became the NHL’s second coach to win 600 games with one franchise in the Buffalo Sabres’ 3-2 win o...MARCH 26 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Good to go Saturday Benson (illness) will play Saturday against Minnesota, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Impact Benson will be back in the lineup after he was sidelined in Buffalo's last game Thursday. The 19-year-old winger has 10 goals and 23 points in 60 games this season.
MARCH 22 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Thursday Benson (illness) won't play Thursday versus Utah, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Impact Benson has earned four points over his last six games while filling a middle-six role. His absence will likely allow Sam Lafferty to get into the lineup, though Jack Quinn figures to get more ice time. Benson's next chance to play is Saturday at Minnesota.
MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE
Not playing Thursday Benson (illness) won't play Thursday versus Utah, Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News reports.
Impact Benson has earned four points over his last six games while filling a middle-six role. His absence will likely allow Sam Lafferty to get into the lineup, though Jack Quinn figures to get more ice time. Benson's next chance to play is Saturday at Minnesota.
MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE
Game-time call Thursday Benson is expected to be a game-time decision Thursday versus Utah because of an illness, per Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News.
Impact Coach Lindy Ruff said Benson will probably miss the game, so don't be surprised if he's ultimately scratched. If Benson doesn't play, then Sam Lafferty will likely remain in the lineup. Lafferty is otherwise projected to be a healthy scratch to accommodate the return of JJ Peterka (lower body). The 19-year-old Benson has 10 goals, 23 points and 54 PIM in 60 appearances in 2024-25.
MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE
Two points in Detroit Benson produced a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.
Impact After helping to set up a Josh Norris tally in the final minute of the first period, Benson potted his own goal late in the second. The 19-year-old winger has two multi-point performances in the last four games, but those are his only points since Feb. 25. Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line with Norris and Tage Thompson while also seeing second-unit power-play time, but he remains a risky fantasy option despite his talent and upside.
MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE
Two points in Detroit Benson produced a power-play goal and an even-strength assist in Wednesday's 7-3 loss to the Red Wings.
Impact After helping to set up a Josh Norris tally in the final minute of the first period, Benson potted his own goal late in the second. The 19-year-old winger has two multi-point performances in the last four games, but those are his only points since Feb. 25. Benson is getting a look on the Sabres' top line with Norris and Tage Thompson while also seeing second-unit power-play time, but he remains a risky fantasy option despite his talent and upside.
MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE
Patrick Kane's 5-point night leads the Red Wings over the Sabres 7-3
Patrick Kane had two goals and three assists and the Detroit Red Wings snapped a six-game losing streak with a 7-3 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday nightMARCH 13 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
One step forward, one step back Benson put up two assists in a 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Impact The slender winger hasn't take a step forward this season, but he hasn't exactly taken a step backward, either. Benson has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) and 82 shots in 55 games after putting up 11 goals, 19 assists and 98 shots in 71 games in 2023-24. Sometimes, the sophomore slump is real. We all need to remember that while he has 126 NHL games on his resume, but he's still just 19 years of age. Benson will be fine, as long as the Sabres continue to allow his game to appropriately marinate.
MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE
One step forward, one step back Benson put up two assists in a 6-5 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday.
Impact The slender winger hasn't take a step forward this season, but he hasn't exactly taken a step backward, either. Benson has 21 points (nine goals, 12 assists) and 82 shots over 55 games after putting up 11 goals, 19 assists and 98 shots across 71 games in 2023-24. While he has 126 NHL games on his resume, he's still just 19 years of age, so some growing pains are natural. Benson will be fine, as long as the Sabres continue to allow his game to appropriately marinate.
MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE
Picks up helper in loss Benson notched an assist and two shots on goal in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Predators.
Impact Benson had been limited to one goal over his last eight games. He set up a Rasmus Dahlin tally late in the first period of Saturday's contest. Benson is up to 18 points, 71 shots on net, 21 hits, 34 PIM and a minus-2 rating through 48 appearances. It's a fairly similar pace to what he had in his rookie year -- 11 goals and 19 helpers over 71 contests, so it's unclear if Benson will take much of a step forward after the break for the 4 Nations Face-Off.
FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Adds late power-play goal Benson scored a power-play goal on two shots in Tuesday's 7-2 win over the Bruins.
Impact Benson tallied after the Sabres' empty-netter, scoring with 13 seconds left in the blowout win. The 19-year-old slotted in on the fourth line and saw just 10:56 of ice time Tuesday, though 1:56 of it was on the power play. For the season, Benson has nine goals, eight helpers, three power-play points, 66 shots on net, 34 PIM and a minus-3 rating over 44 appearances. If he can't get back into a middle-six role, he'll have minimal fantasy value in redraft formats.
JANUARY 29 • ROTOWIRE
Collects pair of points Benson scored a goal on two shots and added a power-play assist in Friday's 5-2 loss to the Penguins.
Impact Benson earned his first multi-point effort since Nov. 29 versus the Canucks. The 19-year-old set up Owen Power's goal in the first period before scoring one of his own in the third. Benson has four goals and an assist over his last 11 outings while seeing steady middle-six minutes. Overall, the winger has 16 points (two on the power play), 58 shots on net, 32 PIM and a minus-1 rating through 39 appearances.
JANUARY 18 • ROTOWIRE
Nets goal vs. Colorado Benson scored a goal in Thursday's 6-5 overtime loss to the Avalanche.
Impact Benson found the twine for the third time over his last five games, and the 19-year-old prospect continues to show glimpses of what he can accomplish as he adjusts to the pace of the NHL. Benson has notched seven points (four goals, three assists) in 15 games since the beginning of December.
JANUARY 3 • ROTOWIRE
Scores, takes six shots Benson scored a goal and took six shots in Friday's 6-2 win over the Blackhawks.
Impact Benson broke the deadlock for the Sabres and found the twine midway through the first period with a tip-in what would be the first of Buffalo's four first-period goals. He's scored in back-to-back games and is up to six goals on the campaign, with three of those tallies coming since the beginning of December. His bottom-six role limits his opportunities to produce, but the 19-year-old prospect is certainly showing promise when given the chance to play.
DECEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
Finds twine in win Benson scored a goal on two shots in Monday's 7-1 win over the Islanders.
Impact Benson briefly took a turn on the top line earlier in the month, but he's since returned to middle-six duties. The 19-year-old has two goals and five helpers over his last 11 outings. For the season, Benson is up to five goals, 11 points, 41 shots on net, 30 PIM and a minus-6 rating across 29 contests. He's young enough to have some upside in deep redraft formats, but his highest fantasy value comes in dynasty.
DECEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE
