ZACH BENSON NEWS

Zach Benson hails Buffalo Sabres' defense: 'We were menaces' Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson believes the team is making significant progress defensively ahead of the 2025-26 season.

SEPTEMBER 24 • SABRENOISE.COM

Sabres' Zach Benson talks 'biggest learning lessons' before breakout NHL season The Buffalo Sabres' Zach Benson learned a lot across his first two years in the NHL. Now it's time for a major breakthrough.

SEPTEMBER 17 • SABRENOISE.COM

Zach Benson's Sabres breakout is coming and these 3 stats prove it Jump on the Zach Benson bandwagon now because there might not be any seats left after the 2025-26 NHL season.

AUGUST 22 • SABRENOISE.COM

Mrtka Leads Sabres Prospects On The Athletic's Top 100 The Buffalo Sabres once had one of the top-rated prospect pools in the NHL, but with youngsters Zach Benson, Devon Levi, and JJ Peterka eith...

JULY 19 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

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...

APRIL 11 • THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM

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

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 night

MARCH 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